Welcome to our dedicated page for Woodside news (Ticker: WDS), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Woodside stock.
Overview
Woodside Ltd (WDS) is a prominent Australian oil and gas company known for its expertise in upstream oil and gas, LNG production, and energy exploration. With a history rooted in exploration dating back to the mid-20th century, Woodside has evolved into a global operator with a significant presence in challenging terrains and remote regions. Its core business revolves around the exploration, development, production, and supply of natural gas and other energy resources, establishing it as a respected entity in its industry.
Business Model and Operations
Woodside operates as an integrated energy company that combines exploration with the development and production of oil and gas assets. The company’s diversified portfolio includes both mature producing facilities and explorative ventures in frontier provinces. Its robust operations emphasize operational excellence, safety, and environmental stewardship. The company has built a reputation by investing in and developing world-class LNG assets, particularly in the North West of Australia, which underscores its technical capabilities and asset quality.
Historical Context and Evolution
Incorporated in 1954 and named after a small Victorian town, Woodside initially focused on exploration in Victoria's Gippsland Basin before extending its operations to Western Australia’s Carnarvon Basin. The company marked significant milestones with the commencement of LNG production from the North West Shelf, which has since become synonymous with its operational excellence. Its historical evolution reflects an organic transition from regional exploration to becoming a globally recognized player in the oil and gas market.
Core Capabilities and Competitive Position
Woodside distinguishes itself through a blend of technical expertise, comprehensive operational capabilities, and sustainable business practices. The company’s operations are characterized by a commitment to strong safety protocols and environmental performance, even in the most remote and challenging operational areas. The integration of its core values – integrity, respect, discipline, excellence, and teamwork – enhances its reputation and builds trust with stakeholders and local communities. Its LNG facilities are recognized as among the best globally, reinforcing its competitive position against other well-established players in the energy sector.
Operational Excellence and Community Engagement
With a focus on operational resilience and community relationships, Woodside emphasizes the importance of meaningful, long-term partnerships with communities where it operates. This strategic approach not only satisfies regulatory requirements but also fosters sustainable relationships that help maintain its licence to operate. The company’s dedication to safety and environmental stewardship is evident in every aspect of its operations, underscoring a culture of discipline and excellence that permeates its business practices.
Industry Context
Operating in a dynamic and competitive oil and gas sector, Woodside navigates the complexities of global energy demand and market fluctuations with a balanced approach toward exploration and production. The company competes with other international oil and gas giants by leveraging its deep reservoir of industry knowledge, technical prowess, and advanced operational infrastructure. Its strategic investments in technology and process optimization enable it to maintain operational efficiency and resilience in a highly competitive market.
Expertise and Value Proposition
Woodside’s value proposition lies in its robust operational framework, comprehensive asset portfolio, and steadfast adherence to a values-driven culture. The company’s extensive experience and consistent performance across diverse geographical regions provide a strong foundation for its continued relevance in the global energy landscape. By focusing on proven operational capabilities rather than speculative future ventures, Woodside provides a clear and detailed picture of its role as a major player in the energy sector, offering valuable insights for industry analysts and stakeholders alike.
Woodside (WDS) has entered into a binding agreement with Stonepeak to sell a 40% interest in Louisiana LNG Infrastructure Stonepeak will contribute $5.7 billion towards the development of the three-train 16.5 million tonnes per annum foundation project, with accelerated capital expenditure representing 75% of total expected costs in 2025 and 2026.
The partnership significantly reduces Woodside's capital expenditure profile and marks a important step towards final investment decision. The estimated forward cost for the foundation development remains at $900-960/tonne. The transaction's effective date is January 1, 2025, with closing targeted in Q2 2025, subject to conditions including FID and regulatory approvals.
Woodside maintains 60% ownership through Louisiana LNG (HoldCo) and will continue discussions with additional potential partners, targeting a total equity sell-down of around 50% in the integrated project.
Stonepeak has agreed to acquire a 40% interest in Louisiana LNG Infrastructure, a liquefied natural gas production and export terminal owned by Woodside Energy Group (ASX: WDS, NYSE: WDS). The project, located in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, has a total permitted capacity of 27.6 million tonnes per annum.
The facility is approaching final investment decision (FID) for its foundation development, with construction already underway and front-end engineering design completed. Bechtel serves as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, while Woodside will continue to operate the facility post-transaction.
The transaction is anticipated to close in Q2 2025, subject to FID approval and other regulatory requirements. The deal resulted from a competitive process and will significantly reduce Woodside's capital expenditure for the project.
SLB (NYSE: SLB) has secured a major drilling contract from Woodside Energy (NYSE: WDS) for the ultra-deepwater Trion development project in Mexico. The contract encompasses the delivery of 18 ultra-deepwater wells over three years, utilizing AI-enabled drilling capabilities.
The comprehensive scope includes digital directional drilling services, logging while drilling (LWD), surface logging, cementing, drilling and completions fluids, completions, and wireline services. The project will operate in challenging water depths up to 2,500 meters.
Services will commence in early 2026, managed through SLB's Performance Live™ digital service delivery centers. This follows a previous major contract awarded to SLB OneSubsea™ joint venture in 2023 for subsea equipment. The Trion field, being developed by Woodside in partnership with Pemex, targets first production in 2028.
Woodside (WDS) has agreed to sell its Greater Angostura assets in Trinidad and Tobago to Perenco for $206 million. The deal includes Woodside's interests in the shallow water Angostura and Ruby offshore oil and gas fields, associated production facilities, and the onshore terminal.
The transaction, expected to close in Q3 2025 with an effective date of January 1, 2025, will provide near-term cash flow for ongoing investments and shareholder distributions. Greater Angostura currently produces approximately 12% of Trinidad and Tobago's gas supply. Over the past two decades, Woodside has paid more than $2 billion in taxes and invested over $1 billion in major capital shallow water developments in the region.
Following the closure, Perenco will assume ownership, operatorship, and restoration obligations of the assets. Most Woodside employees in Trinidad and Tobago are expected to transfer to Perenco. The deepwater Calypso field is not included in this transaction.
Woodside Energy Group (ASX: WDS) reported record production of 193.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) for full-year 2024, driven by outstanding early performance at Sangomar and 98% reliability at operated LNG assets. Net profit after tax increased 115% year-on-year to $3,573 million, while underlying NPAT decreased 13% to $2,880 million due to lower realized oil and gas prices.
The company declared a final dividend of US 53 cents per share, bringing the full-year fully franked dividend to US 122 cents per share with an 80% payout ratio. Unit production cost decreased 2% to $8.1/boe despite inflationary pressures, while operating cash flow remained strong at $5.8 billion with an 82% cash margin.
Strategic achievements include the acquisition of Louisiana LNG and Beaumont New Ammonia, completion of Scarborough Joint Venture sell-downs totaling $2.3 billion, and signing long-term LNG sales agreements with Asian buyers. Major projects are progressing well, with the Scarborough Energy Project now 80% complete and on track for first LNG cargo in 2026.
Heliogen Inc. (OTCQX: HLGN) has announced the completion of Project Capella, a pioneering demonstration project for Generation 3 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. The project, jointly funded by Woodside Energy and the US Department of Energy, aimed to develop a 5-MWe concentrated solar power plant.
While achieving several critical milestones in prototyping and design, including Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) completion and Centrec particle receiver development, the project concluded after the FEED phase due to cost escalation. Both companies decided not to proceed with construction but remain open to future collaboration.
Heliogen is now shifting its focus to meet growing demand for dispatchable, low-carbon energy solutions for data centers using their Gen 2 CSP technology, which is already commercially proven. The project successfully advanced key technological innovations and established important foundations for future developments in CSP technology.
Woodside Energy Group (WDS) reported record annual production of 194 MMboe in 2024, driven by outstanding performance from Sangomar producing 75 Mboe/day. Q4 2024 production was 51.4 MMboe, down 3% from Q3 due to lower seasonal demand and an unplanned Pluto shutdown.
Q4 revenue reached $3,470 million, a 6% decrease from Q3. The company sold 33.6% of produced LNG at prices linked to gas hub indices, achieving a 31% premium compared to oil-linked pricing.
Key projects progressed with Scarborough Energy project at 78% completion, Trion project at 20% completion, and Beaumont New Ammonia on track for H2 2025 startup. The company completed the sale of a 15.1% stake in Scarborough to JERA for $1.4 billion and signed an EPC contract with Bechtel for Louisiana LNG development, targeting FID from Q1 2025.
Woodside Energy has reached a significant milestone in its Scarborough Energy Project with the final delivery of Pluto Train 2 modules to the Pluto LNG facility in Karratha, Western Australia. Since February 2024, 51 modules weighing 56,000 metric tonnes have been transported from Batam, Indonesia. The project, now over 75% complete, will enhance the facility's capacity by approximately 5 million tonnes of LNG per annum and supply up to 225 terajoules per day to the Western Australian market.
Construction began in August 2022, with Bechtel managing engineering, procurement, and construction. The project targets first LNG delivery in 2026 and is expected to generate over A$50 billion in tax payments while creating over 3,000 construction jobs and sustaining about 600 operational positions.
Woodside and Chevron have agreed to a strategic asset swap that will reshape their Australian LNG portfolio. Under the agreement, Woodside will acquire Chevron's 16.67% interests in the North West Shelf (NWS) Project, NWS Oil Project, and 20% interest in the Angel CCS Project. In exchange, Woodside will transfer its 13% stake in Wheatstone and 65% interest in Julimar-Brunello Projects to Chevron.
The transaction includes a cash payment from Chevron to Woodside of up to $400 million, comprising $300 million at completion and up to $100 million in contingent payments. The deal is expected to close in 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2024. The net impact will increase Woodside's Proved plus Probable Reserves by 9.6 MMboe.
Woodside has signed a revised lump sum turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Bechtel for the development of Louisiana LNG, a three-train facility with 16.5 million tonnes per annum capacity. Bechtel will continue work under a notice to proceed (LNTP), focusing on site construction and securing key materials.
The project is fully permitted and targets final investment decision (FID) readiness from Q1 2025. Total expenditure until then is forecast at up to $1.3 billion. The estimated forward cost for the foundation development remains at $900-960/tonne, excluding pipeline costs.
FAQ
What is the current stock price of Woodside (WDS)?
What is the market cap of Woodside (WDS)?
What is Woodside Ltd's primary business?
How does Woodside generate revenue?
What distinguishes Woodside's LNG operations?
In which regions does Woodside operate?
How does the company address safety and environmental challenges?
What are Woodside's core values and how do they influence operations?
How does Woodside compare to other oil and gas companies?
What is Woodside's approach to community engagement?
