Trunkline THE MAGAZINE FOR WOODSIDE PEOPLE | Q1 2021
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Trunkline THE MAGAZINE FOR WOODSIDE PEOPLE | Q1 2021
Contents
Open for business 4 Singapore smooths cargo transfer 10 Expanding focus 15
Pipeline of opportunity 5 Getting ready for Sangomar 11 Double awards triumph 16-17
Producing history 6-7 Spreading the word 12 A day in the life of … a general
Quick action removes risk 8 Partners in progress 13 manager quality 18-19
Dollars and sensors 9 Future imperfect 14 Past shows path ahead 20
Editor
Mark Irving
Trunkline
THE MAGAZINE FOR WOODSIDE PEOPLE | Q1 2021
e: mark.irving@woodside.com.au
Journalist
Nichola Zed
Administrator
Melissa Wright
Photography
James Campbell
Woodside Energy Ltd.
11 Mount Street Perth, Western Australia
G.P.O. Box D188 Perth, Western Australia 6840
t: +61 8 9348 4000 f: +61 8 9214 2777
www.woodside.com.au
Design
287 Design
Printing
On the cover Quality Press
Sense of purpose: Ben Wilkinson, Alison Barnes Trunkline is published four times a year by
and Ryan Tripodi examine sensors that are part Woodside Energy Ltd. Back issues of Trunkline are
of the Fuse project. available for viewing on the Woodside intranet.
2
New scholarships a hit 21 Life on the ocean wave 26-27 Angel to fly again 32
Growing community Lighting the way 28-29 Random Discoveries 33-34
connections 22-23 Winning trust 30 Final Frame 35
Embracing differences 24-25 Making his mark 31
Woodside’s innovative spirit is evident in 2021 as our teams We are making progress on our growth plans, with
work to commercialise technology breakthroughs and construction underway on the Interconnector pipeline
transform our operations to ensure our ongoing success. linking the Pluto LNG facility and the Karratha Gas Plant
(KGP) and deals struck to process third-party gas through
Our focus is firmly on the future as we embrace new ways of KGP.
doing things and progress our growth plans that can set our
company up for the decades to come. This Trunkline also details the practical application of
technology in our operations, including the offshore Angel
Already, we have had some significant wins, including reaching platform, which was a not-normally-staffed facility ahead of
a deal to commercialise technology that can support informed its time.
and timely decision-making across operational assets through
continuous monitoring of conditions on site. Of course, behind our successes lie the people who make
these achievements happen. Woodside women were
This technology, developed in-house by Woodside experts, acknowledged in Q1 by their peers, and a new in-company
has potential application across our industry and beyond. advocacy group has sprung up to promote diversity among
Woodsiders, as we continue to develop talent.
In the past year, our company was confronted by multiple
external challenges from the global COVID-19 pandemic and Read on for more of our achievements – past, present and
market turbulence. Despite this, Woodside succeeded in those we're striving for in the future.
setting new records in production and safety.
Some photographs in this edition were taken before physical distancing measures were introduced to manage the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Notes on Petroleum Resource Estimates: All petroleum resource estimates in this publication are to be read in conjunction with the Reserves Statement
in Woodside’s most recent annual report, as updated by subsequent ASX announcements available at http://www.woodside.com.au/Investors-Media/
Announcements. This publication may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors associated with oil and gas businesses.
Trunkline is printed on New Life Recycled coated paper, which is sourced from a sustainably managed forest and uses manufacturing processes of
the highest environmental standards. Trunkline is printed by a Level 2 Environmental Accredited printer. The magazine is 100% recyclable.
3
Stand-out performance: Enabling the North West Shelf (NWS) Project to evolve from gas producer into processor has required close collaboration
between the NWS Extension team and its Woodside colleagues to deliver more than 50 agreements.
Open for business
Three key milestones have been conditions for processing of gas from and wouldn’t have been possible
achieved as the North West Shelf both the Pluto fields and the Waitsia without the alignment, collaboration
(NWS) Project progresses on its Gas Project Stage 2 respectively, and partnership between Woodside,
journey from producer to processor securing them as our first two ORO the NWS Project participants, the
– that is, from merely producing gas tenants at NWS,” says Wojciech two ORO proponents and the WA
from its NWS assets to becoming a Grzech, General Manager Commercial. Government,” Sarah adds.
tolling facility and processing gas from
other resource owners (ORO). Correspondingly, the NWS Project “It’s an amazing collaborative effort
took a final investment decision to when you consider that approximately
This transformation is necessary to implement infrastructure required 50 agreements in total were delivered
maximise value from the NWS assets to receive gas from the Pluto-KGP on time, between more than 10
as production tapers at the maturing Interconnector and the Burrup counterparties, and amidst a global
NWS gas fields. Extension Pipeline, which will be pandemic.”
utilised for Waitsia.
The latest three milestones were Executive Vice President Development
achieved at the end of 2020 and “The third milestone was finalising and Marketing Meg O’Neill notes: “This
beginning of 2021. agreements with the Western is the first step in realising our vision
Australian (WA) Government to for a regional LNG hub on the Burrup
The first was achieved on 18 December, enable the processing of both Pluto Peninsula.
when the NWS Project participants and Waitsia Project feed gas,” adds
executed governance agreements to Dayna Burns, Senior Corporate Affairs “Our focus is now on transitioning
enable the NWS Project to process Adviser. our operations from a producer to
third-party gas. processor and to ensure safe and
The last of these government successful construction of the Pluto-
“These agreements effectively agreements was executed on 28 KGP Interconnector, with start-up
established NWS as a tolling facility January 2021. targeted in 2022.”
and allowed NWS to put up the ‘open
for business’ sign,” explains Jay Wong, Sarah Carter, Vice President of Sherry Duhe, Executive Vice President
Technical Commercial Integration Lead Subsea and Pipelines and the former and Chief Financial Officer, says these
for NWS Extension. General Manager NWS Extension, achievements are also significant for WA.
says although the passing of the three
The second was passed five days later milestones spanned just six weeks, it “The project builds on Woodside’s
when the NWS Project participants was the result of years of dedication, long-standing commitment to the WA
executed two fully termed gas determination and teamwork across gas market,” Sherry says.
processing agreements (GPAs); Woodside, including technical,
one with Woodside Burrup Pty Ltd commercial, legal, project, environment “For government, it’s another sign that
(Woodside Burrup) and the other with and corporate affairs functions. confidence has returned to the State
Waitsia Joint Venture. with the project providing the energy
“These achievements are security required to underpin the
“These agreements set the terms and unprecedented in Woodside’s history development of new industry.”
4 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1
Pipeline of opportunity
Construction has started on the Some gas will be accelerated from the which won contracts include NEMMs JV
Pluto-KGP Interconnector – the first offshore Pluto fields through the Pluto- for the civil works and Civmec for the
step in realising Woodside’s vision KGP Interconnector for processing at fabrication of structural steel, piping,
for a regional LNG hub on Western the North West Shelf (NWS) Project’s modules and skids.
Australia’s Burrup Peninsula. KGP.
At its peak, the construction
The interconnector will link Pluto LNG Woodside announced a final and operation of the Pluto-KGP
and Karratha Gas Plant (KGP) and investment decision on the pipeline Interconnector will employ a workforce
increase flexibility for processing gas component of the Pluto-KGP of about 370.
from various fields and third-party Interconnector in November 2019.
resource owners. Start-up of the Pluto-KGP
The NWS Project participants made a Interconnector is targeted in 2022.
Project Manager Michael Gibson final investment decision in December
explains: “The interconnector will link 2020 for the additional required The goal is to leverage existing
Pluto LNG and the Karratha Gas Plant infrastructure to receive third-party infrastructure to unlock value by
(KGP) with the construction of a 3.2 gas at KGP. providing a long-term solution for
km-long 30-inch pipeline. processing gas resources for both the
“The Pluto-KGP Interconnector will domestic and export markets.
“The scope also includes new gas optimise production across both
conditioning facilities at Pluto LNG, and facilities, underpin sustainable The Interconnector is only one of a
common piping infrastructure at KGP and long-term operation at both number of projects, such as Pluto Train
that will allow gas to be received from plants while supporting community 2, Scarborough Project and the NWS
both the new Interconnector Pipeline development activities in the Pilbara,” Project Extension, which are proposed to
and existing Burrup Extension Pipeline.” says Michael. realise this vision.
Transporting gas through the Pluto-KGP “While many projects were slowing Niall Myles, Senior Vice President
Interconnector provides opportunities down in 2020, I’m proud of the Agility and previously SVP Power, New
to utilise future excess capacity at KGP. determination and perseverance shown Energy and Burrup Hub, says: “The
by the extended team to progress the Interconnector has many strategic
It also provides potential to accelerate project as the first step in realising value elements.
future developments of other offshore Woodside’s vision for a regional LNG
Pluto gas reserves and the gas of other hub on the Burrup Peninsula.” “These include near-term revenue
resource owners (ORO). creation, providing the driver for NWS
Michael adds: “It’s also rewarding to Project participants to complete the
Senior Corporate Affairs Adviser see the number of WA-based jobs and suite of agreements and infrastructure
Heritage Daniel Thomas says: “The contracts the opportunity supported in to process third party gas and keep
chosen design and route positions the 2020 and will support going forward.” KGP full.”
Pluto-KGP Interconnector so it will avoid
disturbance of protected heritage sites Many key contracts have already been Niall adds: “It also creates options for
and environmental values.” awarded and WA-based companies future development opportunities.”
Building blocks: Project Manager Michael Gibson, fourth from left, and team members discuss plans for the Pluto-Karratha Gas Plant Interconnector.
5
Producing history
A severe cyclone season followed by a As if three cyclones weren’t enough, Forecasting Technical Lead, accepts
global pandemic posed considerable another quickly followed, hard on the that 100 MMboe in a calendar year was
challenges to our operations in 2020, heels of TC Damien. always an ambitious target.
making Woodside’s record-breaking
production outcome all the more Our Karratha team was equal to the “It assumes top quartile performance
impressive. task, demonstrating exceptional in reliability, turnaround execution,
community spirit and support in recovery from weather-related
For the first time in our company’s leading the town recovery. production losses and delivery of
history, production topped 100 million production improving opportunities,”
barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), Karratha also played a pivotal role Vamsi notes.
reaching 100.3 MMboe. in keeping our operations going as
COVID-19 enforced extensive changes to He cites three key areas which helped
This was the result of an exceptional our working arrangements to minimise us meet the target, requiring a multi-
effort from across the business, as our health risks at our assets and comply disciplinary effort:
people worked together with Compass with rapidly evolving regulations.
values to deliver safe, reliable and • Higher-than-planned reliability and
efficient operations. Multiple response teams were set up to reservoir performance on the NWS
manage the initial outbreak, the dynamic assets, delivered through excellent
After Tropical Cyclones (TC) Blake and nature of the changes to public health operational performance and
Claudia, TC Damien arrived in February protocols, the border restrictions (internal reservoir optimisation
as the most powerful cyclone ever to and external to WA) and the need to
impact the North West Shelf (NWS) transition the majority of the workforce to • Higher-than-planned domestic
onshore assets. a working-from-home model. gas sales, thanks to Woodside’s
Marketing and Trading division, and
“But our adherence to long-established “A key to success was the requirement strong reservoir performance from
and correctly followed procedures to set up and manage ‘clean’ quarantine NWS assets
ensured there were no personal camps in Perth, Karratha and Exmouth
injuries to our team, either through catering for a peak of more than 600 • Ngujima Yin (pictured below), Okha,
the initial impact or the subsequent personnel,” says Andrew. Pluto and Wheatstone performance
recovery,” notes Onshore Turnaround and reliability.
Superintendent Andrew Grosse. Vamsi Manikyanivas, Production
Linda McKay, Senior Operations
Reservoir Engineer, cites challenges that
faced the NY floating production storage
and offloading (FPSO) facility, servicing
the Greater Enfield Project.
“But throughout the year and the
different challenges, the common
response was the offshore and onshore
teams pulling together to achieve a
common goal: to maintain production
without compromising safety and
environmental targets,” Linda says.
“Remaining connected and determined
was key to achieving 100 MMboe.”
Senior Vice President Operations
Fiona Hick says hitting the target
demonstrates that Woodside can
deliver even in the toughest of years.
“To deliver this in a year when our
producing assets had to deal with
major disruptions from Tropical
Cyclone Damien and the COVID-19
global pandemic is an impressive
achievement,” says Fiona.
“Thank you to everybody who was
Helping hands: Top, the Karratha workforce demonstrated exceptional community spirit in the part of delivering this and for the
city’s clean-ups during the 2020 cyclone season. Below, challenges at the Ngujima Yin were dedication, focus and teamwork that
overcome as the FPSO helped contribute to the company’s record production. helped achieve this milestone.”
6 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1
For the first time in our company’s history,
production topped 100 million barrels
of oil equivalent (MMboe),
reaching 100.3 MMboe.
7
Quick action: Project Engineer Soon Khoo reviews a damaged North Rankin A caisson (right)
and its removal – completed quickly, safely and successfully.
Quick action
removes risks
A cross-company effort has removed a Civil/Structural Engineering Team Lead Woodside teams worked tirelessly and
potential risk at North Rankin A (NRA) in brownfields. innovatively to ensure the job was done
platform and highlighted Woodside’s safely and successfully.
ability to collaborate and accelerate. “We decided to accelerate the
caisson’s removal before the cyclone “What we put in place to keep our
The coordinated action between season and scheduled well intervention people and the facility safe was always
Brownfields and Subsea and Pipelines work began. in the forefront of decision-making,”
removed a caisson that was no longer Scott reports.
needed – a caisson is a pipe which “So the various functions and teams
acts like a straw to “suck up” seawater that were involved had to work together “This brought in additional safety
to cool turbines and engines on the efficiently, cooperatively and quickly.” features to the lifting arrangement,
platform. and we managed to keep the facility
How quickly? running during the removal.”
The caissons were installed at the
time the platform was commissioned “A traditional approach would typically He concludes: “This project was made
in 1984, but have not been used since have taken 18 months; we squeezed it a success through trust, long hours,
2013 because caissons on the adjacent into three,” replies Soon. people working as one team and quick
North Rankin B (NRB) platform decision-making.
replaced them. Because of the size of the caisson –
approximately 70 metres long and “We've learnt some great lessons from
However, Project Engineer Soon Khoo weighing an estimated 35 tonnes – it this project and there are synergies we
says a series of inspections identified was decided to remove it in sections. can take forward for continued success
one NRA caisson in poor condition. when it comes to managing our other
Subsea and Pipelines (SS&PL) were caissons.”
“It had some holes, cracks and tasked with removing the lower part
corroded sections due to its long- of the caisson, brownfields the upper Scott Cranston, Offshore Projects
time exposure to the sun, waves and part. Delivery Manager says: “The lasting
saltwater,” Soon says. change in the level of collaboration
Jim Eu, Vessel Superintendent and between the asset and Projects
It was decided the caisson needed to Diving Technical Authority, says couldn’t have come at a better time
be removed to avoid risks to safety and innovations included using magnets given the cost pressure that the
production. and rigging practice to laterally business is facing.
support the caisson to other caissons.
“This was the signal for company-wide “It paves a new way of working for
collaboration,” notes Jamie Smith, Jamie says the contractor and future projects.”
8 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1
Dollars and sensors
Woodside has commercialised an A variant designed by the Intelligent The team will work with an
innovation, designed and developed Assets team, including Technologists international oil and gas major on a 15-
at the robotics laboratory on the Mia Tom Chaney and Ryan Tripodi, has a week pilot of Fuse.
Yellagonga campus in Perth, with much longer lifespan and can transmit
a contract that opens the doors to for kilometres, not metres. “It’s a great opportunity for us to
potentially more sales. learn and potentially collaborate
The cost of making the new sensor is with another oil and gas operator to
It starts with an orange sensor that also dramatically lower. improve the way we operate and to
monitors temperatures and vibrations support new ways of working,” Alison
at our assets and which plays a key role “The user-centric, full-stack solution notes.
in Fuse. includes custom hardware and
software that fulfils the goal: ‘Make She says Woodside has received solid
Fuse is what is known as a “digital things work harder, so we can work interest from other companies, both in
twin” – a digital or virtual replica of a smarter’,” says Ben. the oil and gas industry and outside, to
physical process, using real world data make this commercially available.
to create greater awareness and enable Since July 2020 an opportunity team
simulations to predict how a product or has been investigating and pursuing Ben says this year will see his team
process will perform. commercialisation opportunities. continuing to innovate to create
value for Woodside while pursuing
It was created in-house by our Alison Barnes assumed the role of commercialisation of this exciting
Intelligent Assets team for Pluto and Commercialisation Manager in July last product.
other assets. year.
“Fuse is a sophisticated industrial digital “We really believed we could take
twin solution that aims to provide Fuse to other operators of industrial
improved asset awareness and digitise assets, not just those in the oil and
repetitive and unsafe work,” explains gas industry,” reports Alison, who
Intelligent Asset Manager Ben Wilkinson. received a Women in Resources “Fuse is a sophisticated
Technological Innovation Award in
“It solves problems that many heavy March (see page 16).
industrial digital twin
industries face and we have a few solution that aims to
parties interested in using it.” “In doing so, we aim to unlock
opportunities to improve the product
provide improved asset
When wireless sensors were first used for everyone using it, gain valuable awareness and digitise
at Woodside, they were expensive, skills in commercialising technology
lasted about two years on a battery and create a new revenue stream for
repetitive and unsafe
and could only transmit about 50m. Woodside.” work.”
Lighting the Fuse: Woodside is commercialising its technology know-how to support new ways of working and to create new revenue streams.
Below, some of the team behind the Fuse innovation; right, Technology Adviser Ryan Tripodi with the sensor he helped develop.
9
Singapore smooths
cargo transfer
Woodside has broken new ground by cooperation between our strategic buyer performed the transhipment
conducting its first-ever transhipment partners, not least SLNG which to mitigate the impacts of a recent
of an LNG cargo. provided the service,” Iain says. cyclone event on the Pluto facilities
which delayed the original loading of
In LNG terms, a transhipment refers But it is unlikely to be our last. the Woodside Rogers.
to the transfer of LNG from one LNG
vessel to another. Iain believes more are likely because Iain explains there are two main
transhipments will enhance Woodside’s methods of making a transhipment:
In the Woodside first, the transhipment flexibility and access to new markets, ship-to-ship or jetty-to-jetty transfer.
was from the Woodside Rogers to the and SLNG is ideally located.
Yari LNG, and it was conducted at the At the SLNG Terminal, jetty-to-jetty
Singapore LNG (SLNG) Terminal in “Transhipments are useful both transfer is deployed.
February. operationally and commercially,” he
notes. To affect the LNG transfer, the
Iain Scott, Singapore Country Manager unloading LNG vessel and receiving
and General Manager Trading, says the “For instance, they might be used to LNG vessel berth at separate jetties.
ability to conduct transhipments of mitigate an operational constraint with
cargoes is becoming more important the primary LNG vessel or to breakbulk The LNG is then pumped from one LNG
for the LNG industry. to smaller LNG cargoes to supply vessel to the other via the terminal’s
regional markets.” pipelines, without it entering the
“This was our first transhipment and it terminal storage tanks.
was only possible because of the close In this instance, Woodside and our LNG
“SLNG is very pleased to have played
a role in this important operation
for Woodside and its customer,”
says Sandeep Mahawar, Senior Vice
President (Commercial and Business
Development) SLNG.
“We strive to be a partner and
collaborator of choice to users of our
terminal, constantly looking to explore
new approaches and strengthen our
existing offerings to support evolving
needs of the market.
“We very much look forward to more
of such collaborations with Woodside.”
SLNG is located to the south west
of the main island of Singapore, on
Jurong Island – an industrial centre and
a home to many petrochemical and
energy companies.
SLNG Terminal is Singapore’s first
LNG terminal and, as such, is a key
national infrastructure that supports
the country’s energy diversification
strategy and development of its energy
sector.
The primary role of the terminal is to
provide receipt, storage, regasification
and send-out of LNG to support
Singapore first: The transfer of a cargo from the Woodside Rogers, top, to another vessel marked Singapore’s power generation sector
our first-ever LNG ‘transhipment’. Below, Woodsiders Michelle Neo, second left, and Iain Scott, which currently relies on natural gas to
fifth from left, visit the SLNG Terminal. Images courtesy of Singapore LNG Corporation. meet more than 95% of its power needs.
10 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1Conversion begins: The 323m-long Léopold Sédar Senghor in China for its transformation into a
floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility for the Sangomar field, Senegal. Right,
Woodsiders James Barton, Jack Donaldson and Paul Moscardini in the Dalian shipyard, China.
Getting ready
for Sangomar
Woodside’s 323m-long very large Before it departed Indonesia for China “The tech provides a recordable live
crude carrier (VLCC) has arrived in the vessel had to be cleaned of residual feed of an activity to confirm what has
China to undergo a metamorphosis hydrocarbons, and its tank bulkhead taken place. It’s also a fantastic tool
into the floating production storage thickness inspected to confirm the hull’s for training, building and capturing
and offloading (FPSO) facility for the structural integrity and aid development knowledge.”
Sangomar field offshore Senegal, West of the refurbishment scope.
Africa. Other shipyards in China will be used
The clean-out was no easy task. to complete the work necessary for
The conversion will take around two the vessel’s conversion to an FPSO and
years. “The contractor had to overcome Woodsiders will be working in four
multiple COVID-19-related challenges yards.
The VLCC arrived at the COSCO including new personnel mobilisation
shipyard in Dalian, a major port city processes, using an accommodation In parallel, Woodside has mobilised
in Liaoning Province some 840 km barge for the cleaning crews and lots of an engineering and project
east of Beijing, China’s capital, in mid- COVID-19 virus testing,” Mike reports. management team to MODEC’s office
February following a 4000 km-plus in Singapore.
journey from Batam in Indonesia. The work was completed safely, as was
the transit of the vessel to China. “After months of video conferencing,
“This is a major milestone for the project and different time zones, it’s great
and Woodside,” says Shipyard Manager The coronavirus pandemic has also to finally meet face to face with our
Paul Moscardini, who has mobilised to impacted Woodside’s ability to counterparts from MODEC – now
China to oversee the conversion. mobilise people into yards to witness the real work can begin,” says Senior
and complete assurance on various Planner Natalie Kosmanopoulos, based
“Our Woodside team based at the activities. This required rethinking how in the Singapore Office.
Dalian shipyard is looking forward to best to meet assurance requirements
working with our contractor, MODEC, and suitable standards. The Sangomar field, containing both
and getting to know the facility.” oil and gas, is located 100 km south
A technology solution was devised of Dakar, Senegal’s capital, and will
By the time it berthed in Dalian, the that saved time and money and can be be the country’s first offshore oil
vessel had been named “FPSO Léopold utilised in future projects. development.
Sédar Senghor” after Senegal’s first
president from 1960 to 1980. “We now have a wearable technology First oil production from the FPSO
set-up so you can have a first-person Léopold Sédar Senghor is targeted
“He was a poet, politician, fought in the view of what’s going on during in 2023, with the Sangomar Field
French army and was a very popular construction on-site – from Mia Development Phase 1 targeting
person both at home in Senegal and Yellagonga or wherever you are in approximately 230 million barrels
in France,” explains FPSO Delivery the world,” says Jeremy Damonse, of crude oil, at an initial peak rate of
Manager Mike Campbell. Manager Quality. 100,000 Bbls /day.
11Helping hand: Robotics Engineer Robert Reid, second from the left, organised a workshop where university students enjoyed hands-on
experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS).
Spreading the word
Woodside engaged with university but not the only speaker/mentor from Rob adds that many final-year
students at a successful workshop in industry at the event. engineering students are required
Q1 to educate and inspire students to do a major project and over the
about robots and the Robot Operating “We wanted to get as many industry past few years the workshop has
System (ROS). mentors and university students helped many students since ROS is
together as possible, working not typically taught as a part of their
It’s the third year this educational alongside each other to learn about studies.
outreach program has been held. ROS and robots and how they can
solve business problems,” he says. “The workshop has given them a
Its organiser, Woodside’s Robotics crash course in ROS that has helped
Engineer Robert Reid, reports that “There were representatives from unlock impressive capabilities in their
attendance was double that of previous robotics companies around Perth and projects,” he explains.
years, suggesting more students are we took several robots along for the
interested in robots and what they can students to experiment with.” For Woodside, one benefit was making
offer – both to industry and in terms of connections with promising students
career choices. The week-long workshop was held soon to be looking to start careers.
in the middle of February at the
Rob says the workshops have allowed University of Western Australia’s “We have a few students that attended
students to get hands-on experience Clough Engineering Centre. previous workshops who are now
with robots and ROS, while spreading working for Woodside in engineering
the word about how they can be used “We advertised to students that roles,” he notes.
in industry. were either nearing the end of their
undergraduate studies, postgraduate Innovation Manager Lauren Stafford
“We had about 50 students from researchers across multiple agrees that the workshops make
Curtin University, University of Western engineering disciplines or other valuable contributions to capacity
Australia, Edith Cowan University and industry folk looking to upskill in ROS building in robotics and automation.
Murdoch University together with and robotics,” Rob notes.
mentors from several Perth-based “The deeper the talent pool, the faster
robotics companies that service ROS is a software framework that we’ll be able to develop and deliver
multiple industry sectors,” he notes. brings together many open-source business value,” Lauren notes.
robotics packages to build applications
Rob was the workshop’s organiser that run on robots.
12 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1Partners in progress
Woodside’s partnership with Monash “Blue hydrogen” can be generated “a regenerative and circular approach”
University took two big strides by using natural gas as its energy to energy transition.
forward in 2020: the completion of source and is seen as an entry point for
the Woodside Building for Technology producing hydrogen. But the holy grail “We’re creating pathways for emissions
and Design and the appointment of is to create hydrogen by electrolysis to be reused or recycled,” he continues.
Professor Paul Webley as Woodside of water using renewable energy
Monash Energy Partnership Director. sources such as solar or wind – “green Technology is one component.
hydrogen”.
Paul brings to the role 15 years’ “But policy and leadership are just as
industry and academic experience in In 2020, the partnership commissioned critical,” Paul adds.
the development and management of a major program in seawater electrolysis
clean energy technologies, specifically as an achievable pathway to large-scale He points to the work of PhD student
carbon capture. green hydrogen production. Stephan Modest in Monash’s Faculty
of Business and Economics. Stephan is
New Energy Partnership Program “Large scale production of green building insights for “carbon labelling”
Manager Andrea Galt says: “Paul has hydrogen will require large amounts of – an effective policy tool to improve
been a tremendous add to the new clean water – a precious commodity in sustainable energy transparency.
energy partnership, which kicked off Australia,” Paul notes.
in 2019. “Stephan’s research into market
“Using seawater avoids the need for mechanisms and consumer behaviour
“He has already contributed great costly desalination. in the Australian energy sector has the
work in research and development, potential to support sustainability-
progressing the partnership ambition “To do this, however, an entirely conscious businesses in choosing
to develop innovative responses to different approach is needed, and this effective carbon neutral product
real-world energy challenges.” is where the partnership is bringing strategies,” Paul reports.
together leading researchers from
The Woodside Monash Energy Monash into collaboration with “It will provide policymakers with
Partnership is progressing energy Woodside expertise to fast track the insights that will support meaningful
solutions to transition to a lower development of these much-needed low-carbon regulation.”
carbon future. solutions.
Stephan says: “It’s through this
“We are focusing on leadership and “We are exploring new materials, partnership that I will gain important
novel technologies in new energy and electrocatalysts and new cell designs insights and the skillset to support our
carbon abatement,” Paul explains. that are environmentally friendly, and global energy transition.”
“We aim to accelerate the energy economically viable.
transition.” The Woodside Monash Energy
“If we are successful, this will be a Partnership is also working together
One of the areas the partnership is massive breakthrough.” with global leaders to accelerate the
examining is the electrolysis required development of new solutions to
to create “green hydrogen”. Paul says the partnership is also taking shared global energy challenges.
One on one: Below left, Woodside Monash Energy Partnership Director Paul Webley with PhD student Stephan Modest; right, Woodside’s New
Energy Partnership Program Manager Andrea Galt catches up with Paul at Monash University.
13Analyse this: Vice President Business Environment and Chief Economist Paul Tiernan, third from left, and his team of analysts have the task of
interpreting global developments and trends, energy prices and forecasts in a volatile world.
Future imperfect
It was playwright George Bernard deeper dives into competitors’ of various events and the range of
Shaw who is credited with the saying: financials, and the like,” he adds. possible outcomes and incorporate
“If all the economists in the world were these into scenarios.”
laid end to end, they’d never reach a Geopolitical issues and events relevant
conclusion.” to energy markets are all examined and The coronavirus has illustrated how
assessed. quickly hitherto firm foundations can
But Paul Tiernan, Vice President be undone.
Business Environment and Chief The Global Economic Outlook is his
Economist, and his small but team’s quarterly report for ExCom Paul says COVID-19 has been the
knowledgeable team of energy which analyses the economic situation biggest shock to economic activity in
analysts have the task of doing just and outlook and relevant issues such as our lifetimes and remains the key short-
that. industry trends, geopolitics and climate term driver of global economic activity
policy. and energy demand.
They analyse views and facts, opinions
and trends to deliver forecasts in price, Information from service providers, “This has meant that the team
supply and demand of our energy open sources (such as government has needed to develop a deep
products. agencies, news media) and from other understanding of the relevant issues
functions in the company (Marketing to form the basis of projections around
Will prices rise; how will pressure and Trading, Treasury, Climate, etc) when global restrictions are likely to
to manage climate change affect and economic models to create price be eased and people start driving and
investments in oil and gas; how soon forecasts is also assessed. flying again,” he adds.
before electric (or hydrogen) powered
vehicles outnumber petrol and diesel Clearly, knowledge is power. So close attention is paid to COVID-19
vehicles? vaccine rollouts and how well vaccines
So all this analysis means the forecasts are controlling infection, illness and
“We routinely liaise with ExCom are spot on, right? transmission and when the world might
(Executive Committee) and other return to “normal”.
decision-makers with information and Well, it’s not that simple, replies Paul.
analysis that addresses these questions With so many variables to assess and
and many other issues,” Paul says. “There are simply too many unknowns consider, is it true that economists
to think that you can always come up can’t reach a conclusion?
There’s a weekly update on strategic with the ‘right’ answer, for oil price
activity in the oil and gas sector, and forecasts or for anything else,” he “It’s our job to bring order to a very
another that focuses on key events notes. complex and changing world, to help
relevant to energy markets and the the company make the very best
global economy. “As with many other aspects of our possible decisions,” Paul responds.
industry, we have to be comfortable
“We also compile other reports – with rapid change and a high degree of “Sometimes a firm conclusion is
generally for ExCom – on other issues underlying uncertainty. appropriate; at other times the best
in the external environment that are approach is to spell out the range of
relevant for decision-making, such as “It can sometimes be more appropriate credible outcomes, so that we’re ready
the outlook for global energy demand, to think about the relative likelihood for whatever happens.”
14 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1Expanding focus
Woodside has broadened its approach to reporting its aims and performance in the area
of sustainability and how it aligns with the global agenda for sustainability through the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Each year, the company outlines its tier comprises three primary goals, the and SDG 11: sustainable cities and
approach to sustainability across a second tier contains five secondary communities to acknowledge our
range of key areas including climate goals. efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
change, health and safety and social
and cultural impacts in the Sustainable “And they are all underpinned by “We also added SDG 15: Life on Land,
Development Report. SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals which aligns with the efforts of our
– the aspiration to work with our carbon team to improve degraded
“There was a great deal of work key stakeholders to enhance our habitats through our tree-planting
conducted across the business last contribution across the primary and programs,” Laura notes.
year in sustainability and the 2020 secondary SDGs.”
Sustainable Development Report Ann Pickard, Woodside Board Director
highlights include achieving our best- While Woodside’s focus on SDG7: and Sustainability Committee Chair,
ever personal safety performance and Affordable and clean energy is the says the broader suite of SDGs
meeting our energy efficiency targets,” basis of our company strategy to more clearly demonstrates where
says Laura Lunt, Corporate Affairs respond to the energy transition, our Woodside’s contribution is the
Manager Sustainability. contribution to the global agenda greatest.
extends more broadly.
The 2020 Sustainability Report, which “The key deliverables for each have
was released simultaneously with The revised approach includes the been identified and progress against
our 2020 Annual Report in February addition of SDG 8: decent work and these will be published in this report
2021, also outlined Woodside’s revised economic growth, reflecting our role each year,” she states.
strategy to contribute to the SDGs. as a responsible employer and the
activities we are undertaking to build Laura reports that Woodside was
The SDGs are set to tackle the industry capability, SDG 4: quality recently rated by The Global ESG
planet’s most pressing environmental, education, which aligns with our efforts Monitor as the second top ASX-
economic and social challenges. to improve early childhood education listed company for the quality of its
Each SDG is measured by targets for through the Woodside Development Environmental, Social and Governance
governments and business. Fund and other education initiatives (ESG) reporting.
There are 17 SDGs; for the past three
years, Woodside has measured its
progress against five SDGs.
No longer.
“Last year we finalised a review of
this strategy to see if it still best
represented our contribution and
aligned with the underlying SDG
targets,” Laura says.
That review concluded an expanded
focus to include more SDGs would
better reflect how Woodside
contributes to the global sustainability
agenda.
Woodside broadened its focus to nine
of the 17 where we can make a positive
impact.
“Furthermore,” Laura adds, “we have
divided our SDGs into two tiers of
primary and secondary goals. The first
Poster people: Corporate Affairs Manager Sustainability Laura Lunt, centre of the front row, and
colleagues display Woodside’s broadened focus of nine Sustainable Development Goals.
15Double awards
triumph
When two Woodsiders won their Yvette Manolas, Asset Manager Pluto, in capability and leadership.“I have been
categories in the Chamber of Minerals was honoured as a finalist in the given great opportunities since starting
and Energy of Western Australia Women Outstanding Women in Resources at Woodside – my trade has actually
in Resources Awards (WIRA) in March, category. turned into a career,” she says.
both had messages for their infant sons.
Woodside has a strong history of “I was the first female Responsible Person
Alison Barnes, who won the Woman winners and finalists in the WIRA Electrical (RPE) offshore in 2015 and I was
in Resources Technological Innovation awards, which recognise the power of responsible for the safe execution of all
Award, hopes that gender equality gender diversity in the WA mining and electrical work at any facility.”
will be so entrenched by the time her resources sector, attracting more than
boys grow up that they’ll consider it a 80 competitive nominations this year. In 2017, Laura became the first female
curiosity that she ever received such an Production Maintenance Coordinator
award. Laura’s award nomination praised on a floating production storage and
her infectious personality, passion for offloading vessel.
And Laura Allen, who was named her trade, describing her as a natural
Outstanding Operator/Technician/ leader. Laura, in Production Support, “I call for all women in operations to be
Trade Woman in Resources, joked in has often been the only woman on site bold and step up,” she declares.
her acceptance speech that her son had throughout her career, and usually the
better respect women . . . or he’d end up youngest. “Young women, we are counting on you
homeless. to join us.”
Early in her career she won Apprentice
Both speeches received rousing of the Year at Electrical Group Training Alison, Commercialisation Manager
applause from the 1,000-strong and her nomination recognised that she in Technology, started at Woodside
audience at the gala dinner. continues to go from strength to strength working on the offshore Goodwyn asset,
16 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1Stars align: Opposite page, Woodsiders Yvette Manolas, Alison Barnes and Laura Allen were finalists in the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of
Western Australia’s 2021 Women in Resources Awards, with Alison and Laura collecting awards. Above, Finalists eagerly await the announcements of
the winners of the six categories.
before moving to Karratha for the Pluto “The NASA project challenged me,”
LNG Project. says Alison. “It was a career-defining
opportunity.”
In 2016 she completed an MBA. “Alison hopes that
Alison notes the importance of mentoring
“It is important to be proactive and and networking to help younger gender equality will
positive, give all opportunities a chance, colleagues garner the confidence they
no matter how daunting they may seem need to grow in their career. be so entrenched
at first, you never know where it will take
you,” Alison states. Yvette leads a team of 300 and was by the time her
awarded the WA Young Business
She works with the intelligent Woman of the Year Award in 2009.
boys grow up that
and autonomous systems team,
commercialising some of the technology She believes anyone, regardless of
they’ll consider it
she helped to create. gender, should be able to pursue their a curiosity that she
dreams and achieve their potential.
She is proud that the robotics team she ever received such
built up and once led now has one of Jacky Connolly, Vice President People
the highest in-house robotics capability and Global Capability, says: “We are so an award.”
of any oil and gas company in Australia proud of the winners and finalist,
and is deploying world-class software
developed with NASA to our Woodside “We feel privileged to have them work
assets. at Woodside.”
17A day in the life of ...
a general manager
quality
What does Quality mean to you? Paul joined Woodside almost three preparation are important to me and
years ago as the Browse floating I also allocate time between meetings
For Paul Dragovic, General Manager production storage and offloading for any unplanned events or to stay on
Quality, it is to grow the line-led (FPSO) Delivery Manager, when the top of email communications.
quality culture, provide efficient project was in concept select phase.
process and build quality capability at 9am: A meeting with the Development
Woodside. He says his new role speaks to the and Marketing leadership team to
importance he’s placed on quality over discuss the new Woodside Inclusion
“Quality is about doing the right thing, his career in the energy industry. and Diversity strategy and how this will
in the right way, at the right time,” Paul be cascaded through our teams.
explains. “I quickly discovered the importance
of quality through the supply chain, 10am: A team meeting. I have regular
“A wise man also once told me that, starting from being the engineer meetings with my team as a function
today’s quality is tomorrow’s safety. during design, the package engineer and also individually with its members.
When you relate quality to safety, during procurement, through to The feedback from the one-on-one
the importance of quality begins to becoming the site engineer during meetings has been very positive. We
crystallise. construction and commissioning of the discuss key achievements and work
facility,” he states. through any key challenges.
“I am most excited about working
with our team of passionate Quality And he loves working at Woodside. I see my role as helping all members
Managers and Advisers to deliver our of the Quality team to develop our
quality strategy in 2021.” “I’m proud to be part of a respected function’s strategic goals. It also
Australian organisation that is includes building a strong quality
Quality became separate from innovative and agile, has a clear growth culture in Woodside and delivering
Health, Safety, Environment and strategy, responsible environmental quality outcomes through our
Quality (HSEQ) last July. As a stand- management and a strong focus on contractors and suppliers. I try
alone function, it transfered to the inclusion and diversity,” he declares. to ensure I’m structured, open
Development and Marketing division and accountable. And I foster an
to increase the focus on quality to Outside work, Paul loves to exercise environment for teamwork which I
support the successful delivery of our and makes lunchtime exercise a daily believe is key to the success of the
world-class developments. habit. Quality function.
“Our aspiration is to enhance “I also love to cycle on weekends, 11am: I meet with graduate Shashank
value through outstanding quality playing social AFL footy and spending Shetty to help him focus on SMART
performance and the vision for our time with my family, ” he adds. goals. SMART is the acronym for
future state is line-led quality culture specific, measurable, achievable,
coached by our Quality team,” Paul “I play footy with a local team and relevant and time-based and I believe
says. we had the great John Worsfold, the it is important to set SMART goals and
former Eagles’ captain and coach, in interim milestones in the lead-up to
Paul’s background is as a mechanical our team a few years back.” achieving your goals. Milestones are
engineer and project manager. a good way to track your progress
Below is a typical day for Paul. helping all the members of the
He started his career in 1992 with an Woodside Quality team to develop our
engineering contractor in Perth. 7am: I start work early as I find this function strategic goals.
is when I get my best thinking done.
Over the next 20 years he managed I grab a coffee and read the news 12 noon: I like to head off for a
to forge a career path through so I can catch up on the key events run through Kings Park or to the
engineering design, engineering happening in our industry and around Woodside gym if it’s raining outside.
management, project management the globe. It’s a great way to break up the day
and business development, seizing and re-energise for the afternoon.
opportunities to work in the US, UK, SE 7:30am: I check my calendar and set It helps to support my physical and
Asia and the Middle East. myself tasks for the day. Planning and mental health.
18 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1Team Quality:
All’s well: Clockwise
(clockwise fromfrom top, members
opposite of the Quality
page) Amanda Kirkwoodfunction assemble
starts her at Mia
day with Yellagonga;
an hour of yoga; Paul Dragovic
her work takeswith
her his social
across the‘footy’ teammate
Mia Yellagonga
John Worsfold;
campus; meeting Paul
thejoined the company
workplace almost
management three
staff; years ago
checking after more
progress than a projects
on various quarter of a century
still in engineering
under way; and project
and discussions management;
with the Australian in
discussion with Graduate Adviser Shashank Shetty.
property team.
1pm: A meeting with Executive Vice Manager Integrated Projects, to deliver culture and management supports
President Development and Marketing the best-in-class operation digital their success as well as ours.
Meg O’Neill. I’m developing a quality application for start-up excellence that
policy for the company, which I believe Quality developed. This application 5pm: A calendar check to ensure I’m
will provide a great opportunity to enables real-time data collection and up to date with any preparations for
declare our commitment to quality in analysis of information recorded by tomorrow.
Woodside to support our key business inspectors in the field.
growth and new energy objectives. 6pm: Before I walk through the front
I discuss its progress with Meg, who 4pm: Contractor relationship meeting. door at home, I like to take a couple of
believes quality is a vital focus all the Woodside delivers a great portion minutes sitting in my car to transition
way from design, through fabrication, of our work through our contractors. my focus from work and concentrate
to installation and into operations. It’s important to ensure our quality on how to greet my family so when I
expectations are clearly communicated enter the house my focus is on them
3pm: I meet Darren Ross, General and that our contractors’ quality and how their day has been.
19Past shows path ahead
For more than a decade, Woodside has Funding was obtained in 2008 and the introduced – another great avenue
been working with communities and first intake to the program, in 2009, was into a pre-pathways program or
contractors to improve employment more than 50% female. apprenticeship,” Michael notes.
outcomes for local Indigenous residents.
New skills in a variety of trades are Accompanying Woodside (and playing Since then, “graduates” of the various
developed through trainee and an integral role) on this journey has courses have gone on to take roles
apprenticeships. been Programmed, a leading provider of including Operator Technician,
operations and maintenance services in Instrument Electrician (Inlec), Mechanical
More than 80 Indigenous Australians Australia. Technician, Logistics Operator,
currently work at Woodside assets Laboratory Analyst and Management
and a further 49 are in various stages Programmed employs trainees and and Administration Assistant.
of training. Of those beginning their apprentices while they are hosted by
training in 2021, 69% are Indigenous and Woodside, and many are later employed Others have forged successful careers
52% female. at the company. elsewhere.
And Woodside has been able to offer “We believe more than half Woodside’s Erin Ronan was in the initial intake
fulfilling employment to local residents current operations workforce and of Operations Support trainees in
of communities across the Pilbara and 94% of the Indigenous workforce have 2009 and is now an Issuing Authority
beyond. participated in our training programs,” Representative (IAR) for Campaign
says Dave Hilliard, Programmed’s Maintenance Operations Planner.
Indigenous Employment Training Operations Manager.
Manager Michael Roe recalls there was “I have encountered many challenges
very little training targeted specifically “These programs have delivered along the way but the confidence,
at Indigenous workers before the significant outcomes for local resilience, knowledge and practical skills
Mirnuwarnigu Yirdiya Pathways Program employment and skills development, I’ve gained, has made it all worthwhile,”
started in 2009. with many former apprentices and Erin reports.
trainees still with Woodside and now
Mirnuwarnigu Yirdiya (“learning advancing their own careers.” Timaya Dann graduated from the Pre-
road” in the Ngarluma language) Pathways Program last year and is
was Woodside’s first interaction with In 2016, the program evolved into a among the latest intake of Operations
Indigenous training programs. “pre-pathways” or pre-apprentice Support trainees.
program to attract a younger cohort
“This set the ball rolling to develop a gain valuable onsite experience, “Since starting this new stage, I’ve
traineeship to allow Indigenous workers together with TAFE studies, so reflected on what the program gave
to gain the valuable onsite experience they could be better prepared for me – training in all sorts of technical
as well as TAFE credentials in two fields, apprenticeships and traineeships. and personal skills, opening my eyes –
logistics and operations,” Michael and I’m really excited about this next
recollects. “School-based traineeships were also challenge,” says Timaya.
Starting out: Left, this year’s intake of Operations Support Trainees - Shaniah Grassenis, Alexander Knight, Timaya Dann and Mitch O’Driscoll;
right, Lennis Connors, the then Indigenous Traineeship Coordinator, (back right) with the 2009 intake of Operations Trainees.
20 T R U N K L I N E | Q1 2 02 1You can also read
