After a 4,000-plus nautical mile journey from China, the Scarborough Energy Project’s floating production unit (FPU) arrived safely Down Under in January, marking a major milestone for the project.

The FPU will power the Scarborough Energy Project for the next 30 years from its new home, 375 km off the north west coast of Western Australia.

Five vessels, four at any time, towed the 70,000-tonne FPU at an average speed of about four knots over its extraordinary voyage. It was the marine equivalent of towing an apartment block at jogging pace from Perth to Sydney – and back again.

The FPU, one of the largest semi-submersible facilities ever constructed, features advanced emissions-reduction systems and is designed to treat and compress gas for export through the trunkline.

More than 50 people were on board as the FPU departed China in November, stopping at Dili, Timor-Leste en route to replenish supplies, change crews and prepare for entry into Australian waters.

Woodside Acting CEO Liz Westcott warmly applauded its arrival as a significant milestone for the world-class Scarborough Energy Project, which is 94 per cent complete and on track to deliver the first LNG cargo in Q4 2026.

"Having the FPU, an integral component of the Scarborough Energy Project, safely in the field is a momentous way to begin 2026,” Liz declared.

She noted it was further evidence of the collaboration between Woodside’s teams, the main contractor McDermott, and the other subcontractors involved in the complex construction and delivery of the FPU involving four shipyards in China.

At the start of 2025, the FPU hull and topsides were being constructed in separate yards. They were then joined into a single unit before setting sail for Australian waters.

"At every stage, safety was given top priority", Liz added.

Neil Lansdown, Scarborough Offshore Installation Manager, was onboard for the first part of the tow, and enthused about the “incredible experience”.

“It has provided the opportunity to test out some of the different facilities on board, including the accommodation, kitchen and gym and ensure the FPU is functioning correctly,” Neil reported.

Woodside’s focus now shifts to the hook-up and commissioning phase in preparation for production, and ultimately, the first LNG cargo.

The project represents a US$12.5 billion investment, with significant economic benefits for Western Australia, including thousands of jobs and billions in tax contributions.

Once operational, the Scarborough Energy Project will provide a secure and reliable gas supply for Western Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, delivering one of the largest new sources of energy in the country.

KeyFacts Energy: Woodside Australia country profile