Quarterlytics / Energy / Oil & Gas Integrated / Wirtualna Polska Holding S.A. / FY2020 Annual Report

Wirtualna Polska Holding S.A.
Annual Report 2020

WPL · ASX Energy
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FY2020 Annual Report · Wirtualna Polska Holding S.A.
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About this report
This Annual Report 2020 is a summary of Woodside’s operations 
and activities for the 12-month period ended 31 December 2020 
and financial position as at 31 December 2020. Woodside 
Petroleum Ltd (ABN 55 004 898 962) is the ultimate holding 
company of the Woodside group of companies. In this report, 
unless otherwise stated, references to ‘Woodside’, the ‘Group’, 
the ‘company’, ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ refer to Woodside Petroleum 
Ltd and its controlled entities, as a whole. The text does not 
distinguish between the activities of the ultimate holding 
company and those of its controlled entities. In this report, 
references to a year are to the calendar and financial year  
ended 31 December 2020 unless otherwise stated.

All dollar figures are expressed in US currency, Woodside share, 
unless otherwise stated. 

On the cover
Pluto LNG onshore processing facility, a key component  
of Woodside’s proposed Scarborough development.

Forward-looking statements 
This report contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to 
page 132 which contains a notice in respect of these statements.

We are working with Green ReportsTM on 
an initiative ensuring that communications 
minimise environmental impact and create a 
more sustainable future for the community.

Sustainable Development Report 2020
A summary of Woodside’s sustainability approach, 
health and safety performance and other material 
information for the 12-month period ended  
31 December 2020 is included in our Sustainable 
Development Report 2020.

SUSTAINABLE  
DEVELOPMENT 
REPORT

The Annual Report and Sustainable Development 
Report together provide a complementary review  
of Woodside’s business.

APPENDIX 4E

Results for announcement to the market

2020

2019

Revenue from ordinary activities

Decreased 26.1% to US$3,600 million

US$4,873 million

Profit/(loss) from ordinary activities after tax attributable to members Decreased 1,274.3% to (US$4,028) million

US$343 million

Net profit/(loss) for the period attributable to members

Decreased 1,274.3% to (US$4,028) million

US$343 million

Dividends

Final dividend (US cents per share)

Interim dividend (US cents per share)

None of the dividends are foreign sourced

Previous corresponding period:

Final dividend (US cents per share)

Interim dividend (US cents per share)

Amount

Ordinary 12¢

Ordinary 26¢

Ordinary 55¢

Ordinary 36¢

Franked amount per security

Ordinary 12¢

Ordinary 26¢

Ordinary 55¢

Ordinary 36¢

Ex-dividend date

Record date for determining entitlements to the final dividend

Payment date for the final dividend

25 February 2021

26 February 2021

24 March 2021

Net tangible asset per security1

31 December 2020

31 December 2019

$12.55

$17.64

1. 

Includes lease assets of $984 million and lease liabilities of $1,278 million (2019: $948 million and $1,170 million) as a result of AASB 16 Leases.

CONTENTS

Overview 

About Woodside 

Operational highlights 

2020 summary 

Chairman’s report 

Chief Executive Officer’s report 

Executive management 

Focus areas 

Financial Performance and Strategy 

Financial summary 

Strategy and capital management 

Business model and value chain 

Energy markets 

Operations 

Developments 

Corporate 

Risk 

Climate 

Reserves and resources 

Governance 

Woodside Board of Directors 

Corporate governance 

Directors’ report 

Remuneration Report 

Financial Statements 

Shareholder Information 

Shareholder statistics 

Key announcements 2020 

Events calendar 2021 

Business directory 

Asset facts 

Glossary, units of measure and conversion factors 

Ten-year comparative data summary 

4

4

5

6

8

10

12

14

16

16

20

22

23

24

32

38

38

42

48

52

52

56

57

59

83

130

130

132

132

133

134

135

138

Woodside’s Operating and Financial Review is contained on pages 4-51.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 3

ABOUT 
WOODSIDE

Woodside led the development of the LNG industry in 
Australia and is applying this same pioneering spirit to 
solving future energy challenges. 

We have a focused portfolio and are recognised for our world-
class capabilities as an integrated upstream supplier of energy. 

We have a robust hydrocarbon business with a focus on LNG. 
As Australia’s leading LNG operator, we operated 6% of global 
LNG supply in 2020.

LNG is a lower-emissions, competitive fuel ideally suited to 
supporting decarbonisation and improving air quality. We are 
working to improve our energy efficiency, offset our emissions, 
reduce our emissions intensity and explore options for lower-
carbon energy. We have set clear targets to reduce our net 
emissions in line with our aspiration to achieve net zero by 2050. 

In Western Australia, we are building on more than 30 years  
of experience and progressing development of the Scarborough 
gas resource through the world-class Pluto LNG facility.  
We are also connecting Pluto LNG with the landmark North 
West Shelf Project to create an integrated LNG production hub 
on the Burrup Peninsula. 

Offshore, we operate two floating production storage and 
offloading (FPSO) facilities, the Okha FPSO and Ngujima-Yin 
FPSO. Our operated assets are renowned for their safety, 
reliability, efficiency and environmental performance and  
we have a strong track record in project development. 

We have a participating interest in Wheatstone, which started 
production in 2017. 

Internationally, we are executing the Sangomar Field 
Development in Senegal having achieved final investment 
decision in January 2020. This development, targeting first  
oil in 2023, will deliver near-term production. 

We are also progressing the A-6 Development in Myanmar. 

Technology and innovation are essential to our long-term 
sustainability. We are growing our carbon and new energy 
businesses. We use technology to reduce emissions and the 
carbon footprint of our products. We are pioneering remote 
support and the application of artificial intelligence, embedding 
advanced analytics across our operations. 

We take a disciplined and prudent approach to capital 
management, ensuring we manage financial risks and maintain 
a resilient financial position. This allows us to maximise the value 
delivered from our portfolio of opportunities.

We continue to expand our capabilities in marketing, trading 
and shipping and have enduring relationships that span  
30 years with customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region 
and beyond. We are committed to upholding our values of 
integrity, respect, discipline, excellence, working sustainably 
and working together. 

Our success is driven by our people and we aim to attract, 
develop and retain a diverse, high performing workforce. 

We recognise that enduring, meaningful relationships with 
communities are fundamental to maintaining our licence 
to operate. We actively seek to build relationships with 
stakeholders who are interested in and affected by our  
activities. We help create stronger communities through 
programs that improve knowledge, build resilience and  
create shared opportunities. 

Our proven track record and distinctive capabilities are 
underpinned by more than 65 years of experience, making  
us a partner of choice.

4 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

OPERATIONAL 
HIGHLIGHTS

RECORD ANNUAL PRODUCTION

BEST-EVER SAFETY RESULT

Total recordable 
injury rate (TRIR)

e
o
b
M
M

.

9
4
9

4
.
1
9

.

6
9
8

.

4
4
8

.

3
0
0
1

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

1.64

1.29

1.32

e
o
b
M
M

I

R
R
T

per million 
work hours

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

0.90

0.88

STRONG OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

PROTECTED AGAINST COVID-19

High operated LNG reliability

97.6%

LOW UNIT PRODUCTION COST

Portfolio

$4.8

per boe

Record sales volume

106.8

MMboe

Gas assets

$4.2

per boe

No interruption to 
energy supply

0

cases on  
Woodside facilities

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 5

2020 SUMMARY

Net profit after tax

$-4,028

million

Operating revenue

$3,600

million

Underlying net profit after tax

$447

million

Operating cashflow

$1,849

million

Full-year dividend

38

US cps

Cash margin

78%

Maintained strong balance sheet

Challenging external conditions

Liquidity

Gearing

Cash on hand

i
l
l
i

n
o

$6.7 b
24.4%
$3.6 b

n
o

i
l
l
i

Average oil price  
compared to 20191

Average LNG spot price 
compared to 20191

Unanticipated 
COVID-19 cost

1.  Comparison of the average reported daily Platts Dated Brent and JKM prices in 2020 and 2019.

6 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

35%
37%
$44

n
o

i
l
l
i

m

Advanced growth

SANGOMAR

FID achieved  
in January 2020

Execution  
underway

SCARBOROUGH

50% of equity gas 
offtake contracted

Increased offshore 
design to 8.0 Mtpa

NORTH WEST SHELF PROJECT

Third-party gas processing agreements executed

Energy transition

NEW EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS

15%

by 2025

30%

by 2030

NET  
ZERO

aspiration for 2050

NATIVE REFORESTATION

Planted

3.6

million trees

2021 priorities

Sell-down equity in Sangomar and Pluto Train 2

Targeting Scarborough FID H2 2021

Safe execution and delivery of Sangomar

Cost and efficiency transformation

Continue growth of carbon abatement business

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 7

CHAIRMAN’S 
REPORT

Woodside handled the challenges of 2020 in a professional and safe way, 
which is a credit to our people, culture and processes and demonstrates 
the resilience of our business.

Although the underlying profit of $447 million is smaller than 
usual, it is still a very sound result given the challenges of 2020 
and is evidence of our ability to generate cash and manage 
costs in the most adverse conditions.

Even in these difficult times, we have maintained the ability  
to pay a full-year total dividend at 38 US cents per share.

Our reported loss of $4,028 million reflects major writedowns 
of our assets announced in July as the COVID-19 pandemic and 
dramatic oil price plunge created uncertainty in global markets 
and slashed our revenue. At a very uncertain time, we took a 
prudent view on carrying value of assets.

As our community adjusted to life in a pandemic, it was 
critical that companies continued to provide essential services, 
including supplying energy to power hospitals, homes and 
industry. Woodside not only maintained continuity of supply  
but also set new records for production while working to 
maximise the value of our growth portfolio. 

Safety of our operations is of paramount importance and I 
am pleased to report that in 2020 we achieved our best-ever 
safety performance.

This was all achieved in a year in which our operations had 
to undergo dramatic changes to comply with COVID-19 
restrictions and protect our people and community. This came 
at a significant cost, underscoring the importance of a strong 
balance sheet when a company is confronted by adverse 
conditions beyond its control. 

Our industry was also dealing with market turmoil amidst 
demand destruction from the global pandemic and a price war 
between OPEC and Russia that led to oversupply of crude oil. 

In this volatile and high-risk environment, there was a premium 
on good and timely decision-making. Woodside started the 
year in a strong financial position, ensuring the company was 
ready and able to respond to rapidly changing circumstances. 
The team acted decisively in March to protect the business, 
including delaying growth projects and cutting spending.

We had taken a final investment decision on the Sangomar Phase 1 
Development offshore Senegal in January and continued execution 
throughout the year on track for first oil in 2023.

Heading into 2020, much work had already been done to make 
Scarborough investment-ready, but it was the right move to 
hold off for a year on a target final investment decision.  

8 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

We are seeing strong interest from customers in export volumes 
and have further increased the value of this world-class resource 
by improving its development concept.

In this report, you can read about how Woodside accounts for the 
risks and opportunities associated with climate change and about 
the clear targets we have set for emissions reductions by 2025 
and by 2030 on the path to net zero direct emissions by 2050.

Even in a year when a global pandemic wreaked havoc on the 
world economy, climate change was still the number one issue 
raised with me by investors. Woodside takes the risks seriously 
and is taking action to ensure the long-term strength of our 
business as the world’s energy mix shifts.

Natural gas is helping the world’s energy mix shift in the 
right direction by displacing higher emissions fuels and 
complementing renewables and will continue to play a vital role 
in the decades ahead. Demand will be particularly strong for 
liquefied natural gas, which offers supply security to developing 
and emerging economies in the Asia Pacific region as they seek 
to decarbonise while meeting growing demand for energy. 

Our decarbonisation strategy prioritises responsible emissions 
management in the design and operation of our facilities, 
complemented by high-quality offsets. In addition to improving 
our own processes, we are also working with customers to help 
them reduce their emissions.

We are proud of our role as a leading and responsible LNG 
producer, which will continue to be the strong foundation 
for our company in the years ahead, supporting targeted 
investment in new energy ventures that build on our strengths.

We have heeded investors’ requests for transparency, publishing 
in 2020 a comprehensive review of alignment on climate policy 
with our industry association memberships. We continue to 
work within industry associations to support action on climate 
change and note significant progress on climate policy from key 
groups in the past year.

In the early stages of the pandemic, industry associations 
demonstrated their value, providing an interface between 
government and industry at the height of the crisis, facilitating  
a joint effort to minimise health and economic risks to Australia.

During those anxious months, state and federal governments 
worked tirelessly to protect Australia from the global fall-out, taking 
a sensible and pragmatic approach. The pandemic  

is not over yet and policies which facilitate companies investing  
and employing people will be really important in the months ahead. 

As part of the community, Woodside moved quickly to support 
those most vulnerable to the downturn, providing millions of 
dollars of direct grants to community groups that work with 
homeless people and victims of family and domestic violence. 
We expedited payment terms for small, local and Indigenous 
businesses, and worked closely with our contractors to mitigate 
impacts on their businesses and their employees.

It was a tough year for us, but there were others for whom  
it was much tougher.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all those in the 
Woodside team who went above and beyond in 2020, adapting 
rapidly to new ways of working in Perth, Karratha, Singapore, 
Senegal, Beijing and our other offices around the world.

I also thank Chief Executive Officer Peter Coleman for his 
exceptional leadership over the decade he has been in the role 

Richard Goyder, AO

and commend Peter and his management team for protecting 
Woodside and keeping the company strong through an 
extraordinary year. In late 2020, Peter announced his intention 
to retire from the company later this year and a process is 
underway to identify his successor.

We know that our shareholders also faced significant challenges 
in 2020 as the market was hit hard by the downturn. We appreciate 
your loyalty and assure you that we remain focused on delivering 
value to all our stakeholders and building a strong future for 
your company.

Richard Goyder, AO 
Chairman 
18 February 2021

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 9

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER’S REPORT

In a year that tested us all, the Woodside team pulled together to deliver 
impressive outcomes, including achieving record production, while 
progressing our plans for the future.

Even though there was no way to foresee all that would unfold 
in 2020, we could hardly have been better prepared, with our 
finances robust and our people highly-trained in crisis response.

We acted decisively to protect our company in both an 
operational and a financial sense through a tropical cyclone, a 
global pandemic and extreme turbulence in oil and gas markets. 

We maintained balance sheet strength, generating operating 
cash flow of $1.8 billion, and finishing the year with excellent 
liquidity of $6.7 billion, a testament to the effectiveness of the 
steps we took in response to market conditions in March.

To achieve this and deliver an underlying profit of $447 million is 
a credit to the efforts of our entire team in a year that presented 
the most challenging conditions I have seen in almost forty 
years in this industry.

Significantly, we also used the year to improve the value  
of the world-class Scarborough resource: the centrepiece  
of our growth plans.

On all things that we control, our people rose to the challenge 
and delivered exceptional outcomes.

Our strong investment-grade credit rating is evidence of the 
resilience of our business.

Our operational strength was demonstrated by the fact we 
not only delivered on our commitment to reach 100 MMboe 
of production in 2020, but also achieved our best-ever safety 
performance and impressive reliability. 

These milestones were achieved despite Tropical Cyclone 
Damien in February - the most significant weather event to pass 
over Woodside’s production facilities in Karratha - and amidst 
significant restrictions on operations arising from the pandemic. 

Since late 2019, we had been monitoring the spread of the 
coronavirus and by March, the unfolding pandemic required 
significant shifts in our operations and priorities as we moved  
to ensure continuity of supply and the integrity of our business.

The ensuing global downturn destroyed demand for crude oil 
and gas at a time when there was already an overhang in the 
LNG market as new projects commenced production and an 
oversupply of oil due to a dispute between OPEC and Russia. 

As oil prices plunged to their lowest levels in recent history, we 
took the tough but necessary decisions, delaying major growth 
projects, cutting spending, impairing assets and undertaking  

10 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

an organisational review. All of these steps were consistent with 
our long-standing commitment to prudent capital management. 

Demand for LNG held up remarkably well in 2020, growing 
by 1% globally and by 3% in the Asia Pacific region, in a sign 
that the fundamentals for our core product remain strong, 
particularly in our target markets. In early 2021, a cold winter 
in the northern hemisphere drove LNG spot prices to record 
highs, reminding customers that there is still a role for long-term 
contracts that offer supply and pricing security. 

The decision to delay major investments was difficult, but it  
meant we had the opportunity to ensure our projects are ready  
to progress as conditions improve. We also used the time to revise 
our approach to the Scarborough development to significantly 
improve its value. Detailed technical studies supported an increase 
in offshore processing capacity by 20% to 8 Mtpa. This world-
class asset can be a game-changer for Woodside and offer major 
employment and economic benefits to the community.

We are now working towards a target final investment decision 
in H2 2021 on Scarborough and the Pluto Train 2 expansion, 
amidst strong customer interest. Throughout 2020, we made 
good progress on regulatory approvals and commercial 
agreements, including finalising plans for the pipeline 
connecting our core assets: the Pluto LNG facility and the 
Karratha Gas Plant.

The future of the Karratha Gas Plant was shored up in late 2020 
when agreements were finalised on processing third-party gas, 
so that this iconic facility can continue to deliver reliable energy 
to Western Australian and export customers.

Once intrastate travel was permitted, I visited Karratha to thank 
our asset-based workforce for their hard work under extremely 
challenging conditions.

I also spent time with Traditional Owners and Custodians to 
understand their perspective so we can continue to work 
together to respect and protect Indigenous cultural heritage. 

In January 2020, we took a final investment decision on the 
Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 in Senegal and commenced 
project execution activities that progressed throughout the year, 
despite the logistical and supply chain challenges associated with 
the global pandemic.

Our Development team was also busy in Australia, completing 
successful drilling campaigns for Julimar-Brunello Phase 2 and 
for the Pyxis Hub, demonstrating once again our expertise drilling 

Peter Coleman

to the Executive Committee in 2020 as we refreshed our 
leadership team.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce and have 
continued to increase the proportion of females in senior 
positions and work on closing salary gaps.

As I prepare to retire from the company in 2021 after 10 years 
as CEO, I am proud to have played a role in building Woodside 
into a confident company with a strong future, underpinned by 
world-class assets and a world-class team.

I would like to thank our people for all they have done in 2020 
to ensure our company got through the external challenges in 
good shape and ready to pursue the opportunities ahead. 

And I thank you, our shareholders, for your ongoing support.

in depths similar to the Scarborough resource. In November, a 
water-handling module was successfully installed on the Pluto 
offshore platform.

Our disciplined approach to costs will continue as we aim to 
improve cost efficiency by 30% over three years through our 
Operations Transformation program, harnessing Woodside’s 
expertise in technology and data-driven solutions. 

Throughout 2020, we worked to successfully position our company 
for a sustainable future. In our last Annual Report, I talked about 
our aspiration to achieve net zero for our direct emissions by 2050. 
Further to this, in 2020, we outlined clear near- and medium-term 
emissions reduction targets that support progress along that 
pathway, targeting a 15% reduction by 2025 and a 30% reduction 
by 2030. We progressed initiatives that support this, including 
expanded tree-plantings in partnership with Greening Australia.

We have laid the foundation for a hydrogen business that can 
grow as the market matures and demand for carbon-neutral 
energy grows.

Our commitment to acting on climate change is reflected in the 
appointment of a new Senior Vice President Climate, reporting 
directly to me. This was one of three internal appointments 

Peter Coleman 
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director 
18 February 2021

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 11

EXECUTIVE 
MANAGEMENT

Daniel Kalms, Dr Tom Ridsdill-Smith, Meg O’Neill, Peter Coleman, Sherry Duhe, Jacky Connolly, Fiona Hick and Shaun Gregory.

Shaun Gregory 
BSc (Hons), MBT

Executive Vice President 
Sustainability and Chief  
Technology Officer
+ Exploration

+ Digital

+ Geoscience

+ Technology

+  New Energy and  

Carbon Abatement

+ Kitimat LNG

+ Sunrise

Dr Tom Ridsdill-Smith
BSc (Hons), PhD (Mathematical 
Geophysics) 

Senior Vice President 
Climate
+ Climate Solutions

+ Climate Engagement

Peter Coleman 
BEng, MBA, DLaw (Hon),  
DEng (Hon), FTSE

Chief Executive Officer  
and Managing Director

Jacky Connolly 
BCom, MOHS

Vice President People  
and Global Capability
+  People and Global Capability

+ Remuneration

+ Organisational Development

Fiona Hick
BEng (Materials Engineering), 
BAppSci (Energy and Carbon 
Studies), FIEAust 

Senior Vice President 
Operations
+ Producing Business Units

+ Production Support

+  Operations

+ Maintenance

+ Logistics

Daniel Kalms
BEng (Chemical Engineering), 
GradCertProjMgt, MBA

Senior Vice President  
Corporate and Legal
+ Audit

+  Business Climate and  

Energy Outlook

+ Corporate Affairs

+  Legal and Secretariat

+  Risk and Compliance

+  Health, Safety and Environment 

+  Security and  

+   Subsea and Pipelines

+ Reservoir Management

+  Operations Transformation

Emergency Management

+  Global Property and Workplace

+  COVID-19 Response

12 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Sherry Duhe 
BS (Accounting), MBA

Executive Vice President  
and Chief Financial Officer
+  Finance, Tax, Treasury  

and Insurance

+ Commercial

+  Business Development  

and Growth

+  Contracting and Procurement

+ Investor Relations

+  Strategy, Planning and Analysis

Meg O’Neill 
BSc (Ocean Engineering),  
BSc (Chemical Engineering), MSc

Executive Vice President 
Development and Marketing
+ Engineering

+ Projects

+  International Development Offices

+ Development Planning 

+ Drilling and Completions

+ Quality

+ Marketing, Trading and Shipping

+  Power

+ Scarborough and Pluto Train 2

+ Browse

+ Sangomar Field Development

+ Myanmar A-6 Development

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 13

FOCUS AREAS

Myanmar

Canada

Beijing*
Seoul*

Tokyo*

Singapore*

Senegal

Australia

Timor-Leste / Australia

Product type

Phase

Gas

Oil

Producing assets

Developments

Gas or oil

Appraisal and exploration

Refer to the Asset Facts section on page 134 for full details of Woodside's global interests.

* Denotes marketing office

14 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Browse

Karratha
Pluto LNG

North West
Shelf Project

Okha FPSO

North West
Shelf Project

Pluto

Scarborough

Wheatstone

Ngujima-Yin FPSO

Onslow
Wheatstone

Western  
Australia

Product share of  
2020 annual production

 LNG 

 Liquids

 LPG and domestic gas

%
75

19

6

Perth
Woodside  
Headquarters

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Overview 15

 
Y
G
E
T
A
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T
S
D
N
A
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N
A
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F
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P
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I
F

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

$ million

Operating revenue

EBITDA1

EBIT1

NPAT

Underlying NPAT1,2

Net cash from operating activities

Investment expenditure

Capital investment expenditure1,3

Exploration expenditure1,4

Free cashflow1

Dividends distributed

Key ratios

Return on equity 

ROACE 

Effective income tax rate5 

Earnings 

Gearing

Sales volumes

Gas6

Liquids 

Total

%

%

%

US cps

%

MMboe

MMboe

2020

2019

 3,600 

 4,873 

1,922

(5,171) 

(4,028)

447

 1,849 

2,013

1,901

112

 3,531 

 1,091 

 343 

 1,063 

 3,305 

 1,327 

 1,167 

 160 

(263) 

 2,067 

766

 1,189 

(33.4)

(21.0)

29.6

(423.5)

24.4

86.5

20.3

106.8

2.1

4.1

29.3

36.7

14.4

81.5

15.9

97.4

2. 

1.  These are non-IFRS measures that are unaudited but derived from audited Financial Statements. These measures 
are presented to provide further insight into Woodside’s performance. Refer to footnote 4 on page 138 for the 
calculation methodology on EBITDA.
 2020 NPAT was adjusted for the impact of impairment of oil and gas properties and exploration and  
evaluation assets ($3,923 million), the recognition of provisions for the Corpus Christi onerous contract  
($447 million) and a one-off reconciliation of joint operating costs relating to prior years ($41 million), an 
adjustment to revenue recognised in prior periods relating to price reviews currently under negotiation  
($27 million), redundancy costs ($20 million) and additional costs incurred as a result of COVID-19 ($17 million). 
2019 NPAT was adjusted for the impact of impairment of the Kitimat LNG asset ($720 million).
 Excludes exploration capitalised.

3. 
4.  Excludes prior period expenditure written off and permit amortisation; includes evaluation expense.
5.  Effective income tax rate for Australian operations.
6.  2019 volume has been adjusted to include the sale of purchased hydrocarbons.

71

4
4
1

Dividend per share

54

8
9

45

3
8

64

1
9

42

Average annual dated Brent ($/boe)

8
3

Full-year dividend (cps)

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

 
 
 
In 2020 we achieved outstanding operational results, delivered record full-year 
production and achieved an underlying profit of $447 million, against the backdrop 
of the COVID-19 pandemic and volatility in oil and gas prices. Significant impairments 
were recognised for assets, reflecting lower oil and gas price assumptions to 2025 
and increased uncertainty. 

Impairment losses 
Pre-tax impairment losses of $5,269 million ($3,923 million 
post-tax) were recognised on oil and gas properties and 
exploration and evaluation assets driven by a reduction in oil 
and gas price assumptions, increased longer-term demand 
uncertainty and other factors including increased risk of higher 
carbon pricing. Further information on the impairment losses is 
provided in Note B.4 of the Financial Statements. 

Corpus Christi onerous contract provision
An onerous contract provision of $447 million was recognised in 
relation to the Corpus Christi LNG sale and purchase agreement 
(SPA) in June 2020. The provision was partially utilised during 
the period and was revalued at 31 December 2020 with a further 
reduction of $59 million to $346 million. The provision will 
continue to be revalued at each future reporting period whilst 
the SPA remains onerous.

Other
Oil and gas properties depreciation expense increased by  
$115 million primarily due to reduced turnaround activity and 
a full year of production from the Ngujima-Yin FPSO following 
the Greater Enfield Project start-up in August 2019, offset by 
a reduction in asset values following the asset impairments 
announced in July 2020. 

Exploration and evaluation expense decreased by $83 million,  
in line with reduced exploration activity.

Other items decreasing NPAT include foreign exchange losses  
on AUD denominated liabilities, decrease in stock balances, lower 
finance income and higher expenditure on new energy, carbon 
and operations transformation projects. This was partially offset 
by lower royalties and excise due to lower revenue and fewer 
third-party LNG purchases required to meet sales commitments.

Income tax and PRRT
Income tax and PRRT benefit increased primarily due to  
the recognition of impairment losses and the effect of 
lower revenue.

NPAT reconciliation

343

(1,929)

573

(4,878)

(346)

(4,532)

105

447

(4,028)

4,370

447

3,923

1,945

T
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Key movements 

Sales revenue: price 
Despite increased sales volumes, sales revenue decreased due 
to lower realised prices. The combined impacts of the COVID-19 
pandemic, oversupply and weakened global demand led to a 
reduction in price markers for 2020, which adversely affected 
sales revenue.

Sales revenue: volume 
A key contributor to increased sales volumes was the 
successful implementation of a temporary operating model 
in response to the COVID-19 challenges of travel restrictions 
and physical distancing requirements. We deferred some 
non-essential maintenance and delivered record full-year 
production. This was driven by higher reliability and no major 
turnarounds at Pluto LNG as well as higher production from 
a full year of operations at the Ngujima-Yin FPSO following 
completion of the Greater Enfield Project.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Performance and Strategy 17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital management

Capital allocation 
We responded to the uncertain global investment 
environment arising from the spread of COVID-19, 
combined with lower oil and gas prices, by taking 
a prudent approach to cashflow management 
and implementing a number of cash preservation 
measures. We reduced forecast 2020 total 
expenditure by approximately 50% and deferred 
the targeted final investment decisions for 
Scarborough, Pluto Train 2 and Browse. Our 
balance sheet strength and disciplined approach 
to capital management provide optionality to 
pursue inorganic growth opportunities should 
they emerge. 

Dividend payments 
A 2020 final dividend of US 12 cents per share (cps) 
has been declared. The final dividend is based on  
the 2020 underlying NPAT of $447 million and  
reflects the performance of our high-reliability  
and low-cost operations. 

The value of the final dividend payment is $115 million, 
representing a payout ratio of approximately 80% of 
underlying NPAT. Consistent with disciplined capital 
management, we will continue to review the payout 
ratio as we progress our growth opportunities. 

The dividend reinvestment plan remains active, 
allowing eligible shareholders to reinvest their 
dividends directly into shares at a 1.5% discount. 

Unit production cost 
Total unit production cost decreased by 16% to 
$4.8/boe. This was due to reduced turnaround 
activity in 2020, a full year of Ngujima-Yin 
production, and deferral of some maintenance into 
2021 as part of our response to COVID-19; partially 
offset by unexpected COVID-19 management 
costs. The total of maintenance hours executed  
in 2020 was equivalent to approximately 90%  
of the 2019 hours.

Liquidity

1,849 (1,585)

Cash
Undrawn debt

6,952

(527)

(454)

600

206

(337)

6,704

n
o

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l
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m
$

4
9
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Production cost

5.0

2
7
4

5.2

3
4
4

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P

5.7

4.8

Unit production 
cost ($/boe)

5
0
5

8
7
4

Total production 
cost ($ million)

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

1.  Other includes repayment of borrowings and lease liabilities, borrowing costs, contributions to NCI, net proceeds from share issuance and the effect  

of foreign exchange movements.

18 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturity profile

Drawn debt
Undrawn debt facilities

1,500

1,000

n
o

i
l
l
i

m
$

500

0

2021 investment expenditure guidance

n
o

i
l
l
i

m
$

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

Sangomar1

Pluto Train 22

Scarborough3

Growth4
Exploration
Wheatstone
Pyxis

Base business5

1
2
0
2

2
2
0
2

3
2
0
2

4
2
0
2

5
2
0
2

6
2
0
2

7
2
0
2

8
2
0
2

9
2
0
2

0
3
0
2

2021E with targeted 
equity reduction

2021E without targeted 
equity reduction

Balance sheet, liquidity, and debt service 
During 2020 we generated $1,849 million of cashflow from 
operating activities. We ended the period with liquidity of 
$6,704 million. Our gearing ratio increased from 14.4% at the 
end of 2019 to 24.4%, primarily as a result of asset impairments 
and the onerous contract provision. The gearing ratio remains 
within our target range of 15-35%. Our credit ratings of Baa1 and 
BBB+ were both reaffirmed during 2020 by Moody’s and S&P 
Global respectively. 

We prudently and strategically manage our debt near-term 
maturities and maintain a low cost of debt. During H1 2020, 
we completed a $600 million syndicated facility with a term of 
seven years. Our weighted average term to maturity decreased 
from 5.2 to 4.4 years, and our portfolio cost of debt decreased 
from 3.6% to 2.9%. Our drawn debt at the end of the period was 
$6,229 million. In February 2021, we repaid a $700 million bond 
that was due to mature in May 2021. We will continue to actively 
manage our debt portfolio throughout 2021. 

Hedging 
In response to the sudden and significant fall in oil and gas prices, 
and increased market uncertainty, we undertook hedging activities 
in Q1 2020 to reduce revenue volatility during 2020. We hedged 
the price of 13.4 million barrels of Brent-exposed production at 
an average of $33/bbl. Options for a further 7.9 million barrels 
were executed with a strike price of $40/bbl, which allowed us to 
capture potential upside. With Brent recovering above the hedged 
price in H2 2020, the post-tax cost of the hedging arrangements 
was $33 million.

1.  Sangomar includes the acquisition completion payment and additional 

expenditure resulting from increased equity from FAR (subject to completion); 
2021E represents 82% participating interest with a targeted equity reduction  
to approximately 40-50%; excludes proceeds of sell-down. 

2.  Pluto Train 2 2021E represents 100% participating interest with a targeted 
equity reduction to approximately 50%; excludes proceeds of sell-down. 

3.  Scarborough includes $450 million due to ExxonMobil and BHP on a positive 

FID to develop the Scarborough field. 

4.  Growth includes Pluto-KGP Interconnector, Myanmar A-6, Browse, Kitimat  

and other spend. 

5.  Base business includes Pluto LNG, NWS Project, Australia Oil and Corporate.

2021 outlook
Our investment expenditure guidance for 2021 is $2,900 million 
to $3,200 million. 

We are focusing expenditure on Sangomar as we continue 
execution activities, and Scarborough as we work towards a 
targeted final investment decision in H2 2021. The guidance 
includes amounts contingent on a positive final investment 
decision to develop the Scarborough field.

We are also maintaining focus on base business. Outstanding 
base business performance will allow us to generate cash to 
fund our growth projects and meet our 2021 production targets.

Exploration expenditure in 2021 is expected to remain similar to 
2020 expenditure at approximately $100 million.

For 2021 the expected impact on NPAT is $24 million for  
a $1 movement in the Brent oil price, and $9 million for  
a $0.01 movement in the AUD/USD exchange rate.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Performance and Strategy 19

 
 
STRATEGY AND 
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

We have a clear strategy to deliver superior stakeholder outcomes through our  
world-class assets and portfolio of low-cost and low-carbon growth opportunities.  
Our strategy is shaped to successfully respond to the energy transition, and underpinned 
by industry-leading technology and a prudent approach to capital allocation.

Robust 
hydrocarbon 
business

Woodside’s operations are characterised by strong LNG reliability, cost discipline and strong safety and 
environmental performance. We maximise value by developing and deploying technology across our portfolio 
of assets, enabled by our close collaboration with world-leading experts. We have delivered near-term growth 
opportunities in recent years and are progressing subsea tieback developments for the NWS Project, Pluto LNG 
and Wheatstone. As we look to the future, we are transforming existing onshore infrastructure to process third-
party gas and create new revenue streams. 

Our base business provides the foundation to deliver new growth opportunities. We have an attractive 
portfolio of potential developments to unlock value for shareholders and other stakeholders. We are planning 
to undertake these activities at the right time in the investment cycle in order to deliver new production when 
anticipated global demand requires it.

In Western Australia, we are progressing new gas and energy projects in the Pilbara. This involves the proposed 
development of the Scarborough and Browse offshore gas fields, as well as a number of onshore expansion and 
third-party processing opportunities that will utilise existing and proven facilities at Pluto LNG and the NWS Project. 
Building on Woodside’s 40-year history in the Pilbara region, these projects would ensure the continued supply of 
domestic and export energy, providing significant economic and community benefits for decades to come.

For Scarborough, we’ve created an attractive and capital-efficient development concept by utilising existing 
infrastructure at Pluto LNG. In 2021, we are targeting a final investment decision for Scarborough and Pluto Train 2.

Internationally, project execution activities are well advanced for the Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 
offshore Senegal, targeting first oil in 2023.

In 2021, we are targeting to sell-down our participating interests in Pluto Train 2 to approximately 50%,  
and Sangomar to approximately 40-50%.

Successful 
energy 
transition

We are focused on providing affordable energy solutions that deliver enduring value to shareholders, 
communities, governments and other stakeholders. LNG is a lower-emissions fuel and cleaner alternative  
for transport, shipping and power generation. 

We are managing our energy transition through the provision of natural gas, the decarbonisation of our 
business and incremental investment in targeted new energy businesses with prospective exponential growth, 
such as hydrogen. 

We have clear near- and mid-term emissions reduction targets that put us on a pathway to net zero by 2050 
for our direct emissions.

We are developing our carbon business, and are actively generating carbon sinks to offset our Scope 1  
and Scope 2 emissions. 

We are pursuing opportunities that are the right fit for us and that complement our assets and abilities, 
offering optionality around traditional assets that may diversify our revenue streams.

We are sharing knowledge and building capabilities through partnerships.

As global energy demand grows we will be ready to meet it. 

20 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Investment criteria
•  Our investment criteria target investment decisions which 
deliver returns on capital exceeding our cost of capital.

Strategic priorities

•  The economic criteria we use are set independently  

•  Synergies with existing asset portfolio

of project decisions.

•  We apply a suite of target metrics that are aimed at 
delivering superior stakeholder outcomes from our 
investment decisions. Typical targets are an ungeared 
internal rate of return of greater than 12%, a value 
investment ratio (VIR) of greater than 0.25 and a  
payback period of less than eight years.

•  We test the robustness of our investments against a range 
of Paris-aligned, low-outcome and lower-carbon scenarios. 
We include carbon pricing in our economics and test those 
economics with a range of prices.

•  When assessing acquisitions and other opportunities  

we consider a range of strategic priorities and  
commercial considerations.

•  Impact on product portfolio balance

•  Carbon emissions and management

•  Sustainability factors

Commercial considerations

•  Balance sheet and key financial metrics

•  Lower oil price resilience

•  Fiscal and regulatory regime

•  Alignment of joint venture participants

•  Upside potential

Capital management
Our capital management framework provides us with the 
flexibility to maximise the value delivered from our portfolio of 
opportunities. We consider a range of macroeconomic scenarios 
to inform our decision making and ensure we maintain a 
resilient financial position.

Our capital investment requirements are primarily funded by 
our resilient and stable operating cashflows, which we augment 
or distribute with a number of capital management levers:

•  Participating interest management, to ensure we balance 

capital investment requirements, project execution risk and 
long-term value. In 2021 we are targeting the sell-down of 
our interests in Pluto Train 2 and Sangomar.

•  Debt management, to ensure that we continue to have access 
to premium debt markets at a competitive cost to support our 
growth activities. We seek to manage average debt maturity on 
our debt portfolio. Our gearing target is 15-35%. We continue to 
target maintaining an investment-grade credit rating.

capital management, we will review the payout ratio as we 
execute our growth projects. Our shareholder distributions 
will be funded from our high-margin base business, and our 
dividend reinvestment plan remains active. We retain the 
option to return surplus cash to shareholders by increasing 
the dividend payout ratio, payment of special dividends or 
stock buy-backs.

•  Focused expenditure management, to ensure prudent and 
efficient deployment of capital to support delivery of base 
business and growth opportunities.

We also consider equity management options on an ongoing basis.

2021 priorities

•  Cash and value preservation in current environment

•  Sell-down Pluto Train 2 and Sangomar equity

•  Commercial and financial readiness for Scarborough FID

•  Shareholder returns, to ensure we reward our shareholders 

•  Identify and assess value-accretive opportunities

appropriately. Our dividend policy is to aim to pay a 
minimum of 50% of net profit after tax adjusted for non-
recurring items. Consistent with prudent and disciplined 

•  Release value from existing infrastructure

•  Protect key financial metrics and strong balance sheet

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Performance and Strategy 21

BUSINESS MODEL 
AND VALUE CHAIN

Woodside’s business model seeks to maximise returns across the value chain. 
This is achieved by prioritising competitive growth opportunities; by utilising our 
operational, development and drilling capabilities; and by deepening relationships 
in LNG markets with strong demand growth. We do this with the objective of 
delivering superior outcomes for stakeholders.

Acquire and explore
We grow our portfolio through acquisitions and exploration, based on a disciplined 
approach to increasing shareholder value and appropriately managing risk. We look for 
material positions in world-class assets and basins that are aligned with our capabilities 
and existing portfolio. We assess acquisition opportunities that complement our discovered 
and undiscovered resource base. We target exploration opportunities close to existing 
infrastructure and with a path to commercialisation.

2020 Illustrations

Value-accretive acquisition 
to increase our participating 
interest in the Sangomar Field 
Development, offshore Senegal.

Development
We are building on over 30 years of development expertise from our assets in Western 
Australia by investing in opportunities in Australia, Senegal, Myanmar, Canada and 
Timor-Leste. During the development phase, we maximise value by selecting the most 
competitive concept for extracting, processing and delivering energy to our customers. 
Once the value of the development is confirmed, and approvals are received, a final 
investment decision is made and project execution commences.

Operate
Our operations are characterised by strong safety, reliability and environmental 
performance in remote and challenging locations. As Australia’s leading LNG operator, 
our operated assets include the NWS Project and Pluto LNG. We also operate two FPSO 
facilities and have a non-operated interest in Wheatstone. By adopting technology, a 
continuous improvement mindset and an efficient, well planned, cost competitive operating 
model, we have been able to reduce operating costs, increase production rates and improve 
safety performance to optimise the value of our assets.

Market
Our marketing and trading strategy is to build a diverse customer portfolio and pursue additional 
sales agreements, underpinned by reliable domestic gas and LNG production and supplemented 
by globally sourced volumes. Our relationships with customers in Australian and international 
energy markets have been maintained through a track record of reliable delivery and expertise 
across contracting, marketing and trading. In addition to long-term sales, we pursue near-term 
value accretive arrangements through spot and mid-term sales and LNG shipping transactions.  
We are collaborating with our customers on innovative low-carbon energy solutions.

Decommission and divest
Decommissioning is integrated into project planning, from the earliest stages of 
development through to the end of field life. Individual assets within our portfolio  
have a finite life. At appropriate intervals, we consider opportunities to divest ourselves 
of assets to maximise the value of our portfolio. Our decommissioning planning is 
implemented at the appropriate time. Through working together with our partners  
and technical experts, we are able to identify the most sustainable and beneficial  
post-closure options that minimise financial, social and environmental impacts.

22 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Achieved FID for the Sangomar 
Field Development and 
commenced project execution 
activities. Increased the offshore 
capacity and improved the value 
to be delivered from Scarborough.

Delivered record annual 
production of 100.3 MMboe  
with our best-ever safety result.

Secured buyers for 
approximately 50% of our 
Scarborough equity gas offtake, 
to help underpin a targeted final 
investment decision in H2 2021.

Planned to utilise the Angel 
subsea infrastructure for the 
development of Lambert Deep 
reserves, following completion of 
production from the Angel field.

ENERGY 
MARKETS

LNG demand fundamentals remain strong as economies recover from the global 
pandemic and progress decarbonisation policies. Woodside’s competitive projects 
are advantaged to help meet the expected doubling in global LNG demand by 2040, 
primarily driven by our neighbouring Asia region.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on transport, trade and 
economic activity resulted in a significant impact to global oil 
and gas demand. While mobility restrictions caused a material 
reduction in oil demand, 2020 LNG demand grew year-on-year 
by 1% globally, and by 3% in the Asia region. The longer-term 
fundamentals for continued LNG demand growth remain 
unchanged, underpinned by the role of natural gas as a reliable, 
affordable, abundant and cleaner energy source. 

The LNG market is characterised by multi-year supply-demand 
cycles and intra-year seasonal swings. Market dynamics over the 
last year have featured both factors. As additional global supply 
ramped up, the northern hemisphere summer demand lull saw 
record-low spot prices and curtailment of supply. Inversely, a 
colder northern hemisphere winter and logistically constrained 
global supply buoyed spot prices towards record highs at the 
end of 2020.

Over the medium-term, LNG demand is expected to outstrip 
existing supply, tightening the market in the coming decade. 
According to Wood Mackenzie analysis, LNG demand is expected 
to expand at a 3.8% compounded annual growth rate to 2035. 
While lower than last year’s estimate, which exceeded 4%, it 
highlights the minimal impact to LNG fundamentals from the 
COVID-19 pandemic. Fast-growing Asian economies, including 
China, are expected to continue their pull for LNG at a 6.5% growth 
rate through to 2035.

As nations implement decarbonisation policies, natural gas 
will play a key role as a reliable energy source that can quickly 
lower global carbon dioxide emissions while improving local air 
quality. On a lifecycle basis, natural gas emits half the carbon 
dioxide of coal to generate power, supporting a timely and 
stable energy transition through coal-to-gas switching to meet 
the targets of the Paris Agreement. Gas-fired power generation 
is expected to be an important source of grid stability and 
flexibility in renewables-rich power systems. 

Supporting a reduction in emissions, sustained growth in gas 
demand is expected across the transport, industry and heating 
sectors. The International Maritime Organisation’s efforts to 
reduce sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions is expected to 
capture 6% of the global 2035 LNG demand for marine fuel. 
Multiple countries are advancing hydrogen strategies, providing 
supportive policy for both renewable and natural gas-based 
pathways to decarbonisation.

2020 was a muted year for new LNG investment decisions after 
a record-breaking 2019. As the LNG markets rebalance, more 
projects will be required to ensure adequate supply. Projects  
with competitive breakeven delivered price, ability to finance,  
and supported by experienced equity partners with strong 
balance sheets will be best positioned to reach a final investment 
decision. The proximity of our assets to China and Asian LNG 
demand centres keeps delivered costs low and transit times short. 
This is an ideal position to deliver Scarborough’s natural gas to 
where more than 70% of the global LNG demand will be located.

Growing global LNG demand1,2

LNG supply

800

600

a
p
t
M

400

200

0

Marine fuel

Developing Asia

China

Other

Europe

Japan, Korea, Taiwan

2040 forecast  
Asian LNG demand

99%

on 2020 levels3

2015

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

1.  Supply forecast based on existing capacity and under construction developments, excluding boil-off gas. Includes Qatar North Field East LNG expansion.
2.  LNG demand growth to 2040 is widespread across Asia. Japan is the only regional market to decrease.

Source: Wood Mackenzie
3.  Source: Wood Mackenzie

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Performance and Strategy 23

 
LNG reliability

97.2%
$4.2

Unit production cost

per boe

S
N
O
I
T
A
R
E
P
O

PLUTO LNG

Production

MMboe

44.6
$1,445

Sales revenue

n
o

i
l
l
i

m

Pluto LNG onshore processing facility

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Delivered record annual production
 + Achieved best-ever emissions performance
 + Completed Pyxis Hub drilling
 + Installed Pluto water handling module

2021 ACTIVITIES
 + Commence Operations Transformation 

improvements

 + Complete Pluto water handling project
 + Complete Pyxis tie-ins

Outstanding operational performance
Woodside achieved strong operational performance at  
Pluto LNG in 2020, delivering record annual production of 
44.6 MMboe (Woodside share). This was an increase of 20% 
compared to 2019, during which production was impacted  
by Pluto LNG’s first major turnaround.

High reliability of 97.2% at Pluto LNG was maintained 
throughout the year as a result of our focus on safe, reliable 
and efficient operations, and the improvements delivered 
during the 2019 turnaround.

We achieved this excellent production result despite the 
substantial challenges posed by COVID-19 and Tropical 
Cyclone Damien, the most significant weather event to impact 
Woodside’s onshore facilities. We maintained uninterrupted 
LNG production throughout these events by proactive planning 
and leveraging our proven remote operation capabilities.

Our uncompromising approach to health and safety delivered 
strong results, with no Tier 1 or 2 process safety events at  
Pluto LNG in 2020.

We are also pursuing cost and efficiency improvements as part 
of our Operations Transformation program.

Enabling growth 
Woodside took further steps in 2020 to position Pluto LNG 
for long-term production, through development of additional 
offshore resources and improvements to the onshore facility. 

Drilling activities were completed in Q3 2020 for the Pyxis Hub 
Project, which comprises the subsea tie-back of the Pyxis, Pluto 
North and Xena fields to the Pluto offshore platform. Fabrication 
of key infrastructure, including pipeline and subsea equipment, 
is continuing and the project remains on target to achieve ready 
for start-up (RFSU) in 2022.

The Pluto water handling project also achieved a significant 
milestone, with the water handling module successfully 
installed on the Pluto offshore platform in November 2020. 
Once commissioned, the module will allow increased wet gas 
production. Woodside is targeting RFSU for 2021.

As part of our ongoing focus on efficiency, new technologies 
and processes were implemented at Pluto LNG to further 
optimise production and reduce emissions. In Q3 2020,  
we commenced dual vapour-return boil-off-gas compressor 
operation, reducing flaring. This was a key contributor to our 
best-ever emissions performance at the facility.

Woodside interest: 90%, operator

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Operations 25

NWS PROJECT

LNG reliability

98.0%
$3.8

Unit production cost

per boe

Production

30.8
$976

Sales revenue

MMboe

n
o

i
l
l
i

m

The NWS Project’s Karratha Gas Plant

26 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Outstanding production and reliability performance
 + Safe completion of modified major  

turnaround schedule 

 + FID for Greater Western Flank Phase 3  

and Lambert Deep (GWF-3)

 + Executed gas processing agreements for 

processing third-party gas

 + Extension of NWS State Agreement to 2059

2021 ACTIVITIES
 + Targeting 15% reduction in cash operating costs
 + Safe and efficient execution of major turnarounds
 + Commencement of development drilling for GWF-3
 + Prepare for tolling third-party gas from 2022

Outstanding operational performance
By overcoming the challenges posed by COVID-19 and Tropical 
Cyclone Damien, Woodside again delivered strong LNG 
production and safety performance at the NWS Project.

The NWS Project delivered full-year production of 30.8 MMboe 
in 2020 (Woodside share), a decrease of 4% on 2019 partly 
driven by a decline in reservoir performance.

Underpinned by a multi-year brownfields maintenance program, 
we achieved high average reliability of 98.0% through the year. 
As a result of these efforts, we delivered improved emissions 
performance, with the NWS Project achieving a 22 ktCO₂-e 
reduction in emissions in 2020.

Safety performance was strong and in line with our 2020 target, 
with no injuries recorded on NWS offshore gas platforms.

We also successfully trialled remote operations at the North 
Rankin Complex (NRC) and Goodwyn A (GWA) offshore 
platforms during Tropical Cyclone Damien.

A consequence of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 was the 
reduction in work scopes at NWS assets as we prioritised the 
health and safety of our people whilst ensuring continued 
reliable production. 

In this constrained environment we safely completed planned 
major maintenance on schedule at Karratha Gas Plant’s (KGP) 
LNG Train 3. Turnarounds at the NRC and GWA offshore 
platforms were completed ahead of schedule and enabled 
additional production due to alignment with a planned KGP 
Train 4 turnaround.

The KGP domestic gas recycle line project achieved RFSU in  
Q2 2020, allowing more flexibility with domestic gas export 
rates from the facility.

Enabling growth
The NWS Project infrastructure provides an opportunity  
for processing third-party gas as the NWS reserves decline.

In March 2020, the Western Australian Parliament extended 
the term of the North West Gas Development (Woodside) 
Agreement Act 1979 (WA), enabling continued operation  
of NWS facilities to 2059.

In July 2020, the NWS Project participants executed 
amendments to the joint venture governance documents 
enabling the processing of third-party gas through the NWS 
Project facilities.

In December 2020, the NWS Project participants executed  
fully-termed gas processing agreements for processing gas 
through the NWS Project facilities (see page 36 for more detail).

To ensure the long-term cost competitiveness of NWS assets, 
Woodside is implementing an Operations Transformation 
program to improve efficiency and reduce costs, including an 
immediate target of a 15% reduction in NWS cash operating 
costs in 2021. 

Execution of GWF-3 commenced following FID in January 2020. 
An Environment Plan to support drilling and subsea installation 
was approved in January 2021. The work program remains on 
schedule, with commencement of drilling targeted in 2021. 

The Angel offshore platform ceased production in September 
2020. Angel commenced production in 2008 and was Australia’s 
largest not-normally-staffed platform when built. It produced 
2.1 Tcf of raw gas during its life, exceeding the 1.85 Tcf recovery 
expected at FID. Angel infrastructure will be further utilised for 
the development of the Lambert Deep reserves.

Woodside interest: 16.67%, operator

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Operations 27

WHEATSTONE

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Strong reliability performance
 + Completed drilling and commenced subsea 
installation for Julimar-Brunello Phase 2

2021 ACTIVITIES
 + Execute first major turnaround 
 + Complete Julimar-Brunello Phase 2 subsea  

pipelay activities

Production

15.2

MMboe

Sales revenue

$486

million

Outstanding operational performance
Wheatstone continued to deliver solid production performance 
during 2020, driven by strong reliability. Wheatstone utilises  
the same technology as the proposed design for Pluto Train 2.

Woodside’s share of annual production in 2020 was 15.2 MMboe, up 
from 14.4 MMboe in 2019, primarily due to production optimisation.

Wheatstone’s first major integrated onshore and offshore 
turnaround is planned for Q3 2021.

Julimar-Brunello Phase 2 
Julimar-Brunello Phase 2 involves the tie-back of the Julimar 
field to the Wheatstone offshore platform, to support continued 
production from Wheatstone. 

Good progress was made on the development, with a multi-
well drilling campaign completed in Q3 2020. Flow testing 
confirmed reservoir performance was in line with pre-drill 
expectations, while the mercury content of gas from the new 
wells was at the low end of expectations, reducing capital 
expenditure requirements. 

Woodside also progressed several subsea work scopes during 
the year, procuring and installing key subsea equipment. 
Woodside is targeting completion of subsea pipelay and  
ready for start-up (RFSU) in 2021. 

Woodside interest: 13%, non-operator

Woodside interest: 65%, operator

AUSTRALIA OIL

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Strong safety performance with no recordable injuries 
 + Delivered production and revenue optimisation 

activities 

2021 ACTIVITIES
 + Execute Okha FPSO major turnaround

Ngujima-Yin FPSO
The Ngujima-Yin FPSO produces oil from the Vincent  
and Greater Enfield resources.

Okha FPSO
The Okha FPSO produces oil from the Cossack, Wanaea, 
Lambert and Hermes fields.

Following successful completion of the Greater Enfield Project 
in 2019, the newly refurbished facility delivered full-year 
production of 8.3 MMboe in 2020 (Woodside share), up  
from 4.0 MMboe in 2019. 

Woodside temporarily shut-in production from the Cimatti 
field, reducing the sulphur content of crude produced at the 
Ngujima-Yin FPSO. This action delivered increased revenue by 
enabling Woodside to capitalise on strong market demand for 
low sulphur fuel oil.

We also completed re-drilling of a Laverda well in Q3 2020  
to support improved production from the facility.

Woodside safely completed a series of production optimisation 
and subsea maintenance activities in Q3 2020, increasing 
production rates at the Okha FPSO by approximately 1,500 bbl/d.

Woodside’s share of annual production in 2020 was 1.4 MMboe, 
down from 1.6 MMboe in 2019, primarily due to maintenance 
activities and natural field decline.

Woodside interest: 33.33%, operator

Nganhurra FPSO
Activities to support decommissioning of remaining 
infrastructure will continue in 2021.

Woodside interest: 60%, operator

Woodside interest: 60%, operator

28 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

EXPLORATION

Exploration activities in 2020 were consolidated as part of Woodside’s 
response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated market conditions. 
We continued our strategy of divesting low-value licences as well as 
drilling prospects with a focus on sustainable growth opportunities.

Australia 
The planned drilling of the Gemtree prospect in WA-49-L  
was deferred from 2020 as part of Woodside’s response to  
the challenging conditions of the year. The Environmental Plan  
for Gemtree was approved by NOPSEMA.

In the NWS asset area, the reprocessed Typhon MC3D seismic 
data was delivered as planned. The Typhon MC3D seismic data 
is of superior quality compared to legacy seismic datasets, 
covering five developed fields (Tidepole, Goodwyn, Sculptor-
Rankin, Keast and Dockrell) and three undeveloped fields 
(Dixon, Haycock and Gaea). During the first half of 2020, seismic 
interpretation activities were undertaken to mature prospects 
in this area for potential tieback to existing NWS Project 
infrastructure. Two key prospective opportunities resulted from 
this work and Woodside is progressing technical activities for 
these opportunities.

The Wheatstone 3D seismic reprocessing project was completed 
in Q4 2020. Interpretation of the data has commenced in order 
to mature the portfolio related to exploration permits WA-536-P 
and WA-356-P.

Retention lease applications to NOPTA were approved for 
WA-93-R and WA-94-R, securing the Toro and Ragnar gas field 
resources until a viable development option is identified.

As part of disciplined exploration portfolio management to 
remove low-value assets and progress high-value assets, we 
surrendered or withdrew from permits WA-430-P, WA-483-P, 
WA-520-P, WA-271-P and WA-428-P. Suspension and extension 
applications were approved by NOPTA for permits WA-28-P, 
NT/P86 and WA-522-P.

Myanmar 
Woodside commenced a fourth drilling campaign offshore 
Myanmar in January 2021. The campaign includes one 
exploration well in southern hub Block A-7 and one exploration 
well each in northern hub Blocks AD-1 and AD-8. Northern 
hub well results will assist in determining future activities and 
potential resource volumes.

South Korea
In relation to Block 8 and 6-IN, the joint venture deferred 
acquisition of the Ojingeo 3D marine seismic survey to Q2 2021.

2016 Fortuna 3D seismic

2020 Typhon MC3D seismic

Improved imaging under fault

km

1

0

2

The Typhon MC3D seismic data is of superior quality to previous datasets 

Reduced interference and noise

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Operations 29

MARKETING, TRADING  
AND SHIPPING

Woodside managed challenging market conditions in 2020. We fulfilled 
our contractual obligations and proactively worked with our customers 
in response to the highly volatile environment resulting from COVID-19. 

Portfolio
Our LNG portfolio comprises a mix of short-, mid- and long-
term contracts, supplied by Woodside equity cargoes and 
supplemented by third-party purchases. A portion of annual 
production is kept available for the spot market. This combination 
of different arrangements helps to balance revenue stability, 
operational flexibility and the ability to capitalise on market 
conditions as they change through the year.

Our experienced LNG trading team in Singapore optimises 
the value of the portfolio and can meet the requirements 
of a changing and dynamic LNG market. In a year of record 
production and extraordinary market conditions, we sold all 
produced volumes.

Our LNG portfolio reached 9.3 Mtpa in 2020 following the 
commencement of our Corpus Christi LNG offtake contract.

We expect approximately 10-15% of our produced LNG  
to be sold on the spot market in 2021. 

Growth projects
Woodside is executing a considered marketing strategy as 
we engage with customers to develop a portfolio of sales 
arrangements in support of Scarborough, ahead of the targeted 
FID in H2 2021. The Scarborough development will add to 
Woodside’s portfolio by approximately 5.9 Mtpa of LNG  
at the current upstream equity level.

In January 2021, Woodside and Uniper Global Commodities 
SE (Uniper) agreed to double the supply of LNG under their 
existing long-term sale and purchase agreement. Initial supply 
commencing in 2021 is now for a volume of up to 1 Mtpa, 
increasing to approximately 2 Mtpa from 2026. The majority  
of LNG supply from 2025 is conditional upon Scarborough FID. 
Woodside and Uniper will also collaborate on potential carbon-
neutral LNG.

Woodside progressed joint venture agreements with the RSSD 
joint venture participants to enable the lifting and marketing of oil 
production from the Sangomar Field Development in Senegal.

We are engaging with prospective domestic and international 
buyers for offtake from the A-6 Development in Myanmar. 

Domestic gas
We have a strong position in the Western Australian domestic 
gas market and continue to develop our portfolio of customers 
and trading capabilities. Woodside achieved record equity 
domestic gas sales, increasing by 43% from 2019 to 2020, and  
a new record daily equity domestic gas sales volume of 141 TJ  
on 28 August 2020.

Our domestic gas sources include the NWS Project, Pluto LNG 
and Wheatstone. We meet customer requirements through a 
mix of short-, mid- and long-term contracts.

The remaining legacy NWS jointly-marketed domestic gas 
contracts concluded in 2020, providing further opportunities 
to market Woodside equity domestic gas to businesses  
in Western Australia.

The Pluto LNG truck loading facility was built to provide LNG 
for distribution by truck to the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne 
regions of Western Australia. Woodside is seeking to grow this 
business, which complements our existing equity domestic gas 
sales. We are progressing discussions with mining companies 
for the delivery of LNG to their mine sites, including the 
potential integration of LNG with renewable power sources.

Integrated trading, shipping and operations 
Our integrated shipping, operations, marketing and trading 
team ensures reliable delivery of LNG to our customers and 
enables us to maximise the value of our portfolio. Throughout 
2020 we managed the complexity of COVID-19 restrictions 
applying to our shipping crews.

Woodside’s LNG fleet increased from five to six ships with the 
addition of the Woodside Charles Allen in 2020. During the 
year 328 cargoes were delivered, including all LNG, condensate, 
crude and LPG cargoes with Woodside equity interest.

Responding to strong market demand for low sulphur fuel oil,  
we adjusted production from the Ngujima-Yin FPSO to produce  
a crude capable of low sulphur fuel oil blending which enabled 
the realisation of record-high premiums for Vincent crude.

30 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

The Woodside Rees Withers at Pluto LNG
Woodside Petroleum Ltd Operations 31

S
T
N
E
M
P
O
L
E
V
E
D

SCARBOROUGH 
AND PLUTO TRAIN 2

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Received Commonwealth 
environmental approval 

2021 ACTIVITIES
 + Progress design optimisation 

opportunities

 + Increased offshore design 

 + Execute remaining  

capacity by approximately 20%

commercial agreements

 + Received production licences

 + Secure remaining 

environmental approvals and 
agreements with government

 + Targeting FID in H2 2021

Scarborough 
The Scarborough gas field is located approximately 375 km west-north-west of the 
Burrup Peninsula, Western Australia, and contains an estimated contingent resource 
(2C) of 8.2 Tcf of dry gas Woodside share (11.1 Tcf of dry gas, 100%). Scarborough is 
part of the Greater Scarborough resource, including the Jupiter and Thebe fields, which 
contains an estimated contingent resource (2C) of 9.3 Tcf of dry gas Woodside share 
(13.0 Tcf of dry gas, 100%).

Woodside is proposing to develop the Scarborough gas resource through new offshore 
facilities connected by an approximately 430 km pipeline to a proposed second LNG 
train (Pluto Train 2) at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility.

Scarborough is a globally competitive project with the potential to have a 
transformative impact on Woodside’s reserves base, cashflow, and the delivery of 
shareholder value. Scarborough is a resource of the quality and scale that can define 
our activities in the coming decades and support the growth of our new energy 
portfolio whilst meeting Woodside’s net emissions reduction targets.

The Scarborough reservoir contains almost no carbon dioxide, and the development  
is expected to have one of the lowest carbon intensities for an LNG project in Australia.

In 2020, we completed key activities to progress the development and de-risk the 
project cost and schedule. This included completing technical feasibility studies to 
increase the design capacity of the offshore development by approximately 20% to  
8.0 Mtpa of LNG, which unlocks significant value for the Scarborough development. 
These studies examined the offshore and onshore designs to identify potential changes 
to improve value for minimal additional capital expenditure. This followed work 
completed in 2019 to realise a 52% increase in the estimated resource size.

In Q1 2020, the Scarborough Joint Venture aligned its 
participating interests across the WA-1-R (Scarborough) and 
WA-62-R (North Scarborough) titles, resulting in Woodside 
holding a 73.5% interest and BHP holding a 26.5% interest in 
each title. 

In April 2020, the Scarborough Offshore Project Proposal 
was accepted by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and 
Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), securing the 
primary Commonwealth environmental approval for the offshore 
project moving forward into 2021. Work on developing the 
relevant associated Environment Plans is progressing in 2021.

In Q4 2020, the Commonwealth-Western Australian Offshore 
Petroleum Joint Authority granted petroleum production 
licences in respect of the WA-61-L (Scarborough) and WA-62-L 
(North Scarborough) titles.

Retention lease renewal applications in respect of the  
WA-61-R and WA-63-R titles for the Thebe and Jupiter fields 
were submitted in 2020 to the Joint Authority and are currently 
under assessment.

Commercial agreements are being progressed for processing 
gas from the Scarborough offshore field at Pluto LNG.

We will continue to work with our contractors to ramp up 
activity in the first half of 2021 to support the targeted FID.

In 2021, we will submit the Field Development Plan and pipeline 
licence applications to the Commonwealth-Western Australian 
Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority.

Woodside is targeting FID in H2 2021, subject to commercial 
arrangements and joint venture and regulatory approvals, and 
first cargo in 2026.

Woodside interest: 73.5%, operator

Pluto Train 2 
Pluto Train 2 is a capital efficient solution for processing 
Scarborough gas. By utilising existing infrastructure, the 
construction of a second LNG train provides a clear pathway  
to the low-cost development of the Scarborough resources.  
This concept requires around 30% lower capital spend over the 
field life, compared to taking the gas into KGP (100% project).

Pluto Train 2 is designed for an LNG processing capacity of 
approximately 5 Mtpa (100% project). The proposed design is 
expected to have a lower greenhouse gas intensity compared  
to the international and Australian averages. 

During 2020, Woodside de-risked the execution schedule for 
Pluto Train 2 by reviewing and optimising the construction plan.

Woodside is targeting FID in H2 2021 and first cargo in 2026. 

Woodside interest: 100%, operator 

Pluto-KGP Interconnector 
The Pluto-KGP Interconnector will allow the transfer of gas 
between Pluto LNG and KGP, optimising production across  
both facilities. Transporting gas through the Interconnector  
will enable accelerated production of Pluto gas reserves, as well 
as third-party resources. The design capacity of the pipeline is 
more than 5 Mtpa.

Following receipt of the pipeline licence and easement for 
the Interconnector in 2020, construction of the pipeline and 
associated Pluto LNG facilities commenced in H2 2020.

Key contracts were awarded to Civmec Construction  
& Engineering Pty Ltd for the supply and fabrication of 
equipment, and United Altrad Joint Venture for construction 
works at Pluto LNG.

In December 2020, the NWS Project participants took FID for 
the infrastructure required to receive gas from the Pluto-KGP 
Interconnector.

In January 2021, Woodside finalised domestic gas arrangements 
with the Western Australian Government associated with the 
supply of Pluto feed gas, via the interconnector pipeline, for 
processing at KGP.

Site construction activities commenced in January 2021 for 
facilities within KGP and along the proposed pipeline route, 
which is situated along the existing Dampier to Bunbury Natural 
Gas Pipeline corridor.

Woodside is targeting ready for start-up in 2022.

Woodside interest: 100% 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Developments 33

SANGOMAR FIELD 
DEVELOPMENT

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Commenced project execution activities 
 + Confirmed key contractors 
 + Received VLCC tanker ready for FPSO  

conversion activities

 + Commenced subsea fabrication 
 + Prepared Development drilling readiness
 + Completed acquisition of additional interest 

2021 ACTIVITIES
 + Progress equity sell-down
 + Commence drilling and completions campaign 
 + Progress FPSO conversion activities 
 + Advance project execution 

The Sangomar field (formerly the SNE field), containing both oil and gas, is located 
100 km south of Dakar and will be Senegal’s first offshore oil development.

The Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 (Sangomar Field 
Development) is a near-term development which will produce 
oil from the less complex reservoirs in the Sangomar field. 
Phase 1 will also test other reservoirs to support potential future 
development phases.

The Sangomar Field Development concept is a stand-alone 
floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility with 
supporting subsea infrastructure. It is being designed to allow 
the tie-in of subsequent phases.

Phase 1 of the development will target the production of 
approximately 231 MMbbl of oil resources (100%, 124 MMbbl (2P) 
reserves Woodside net economic interest). 

In January 2020, the Government of Senegal granted the 
Exploitation Authorisation for the Sangomar Field Development 
and the Rufisque, Sangomar and Sangomar Deep (RSSD) Joint 
Venture took an unconditional final investment decision.

Execution commenced in early 2020 including engineering, 
procurement and fabrication activities.

Threats to the project’s supply chain and schedule arising from 
the global impacts of COVID-19 were effectively mitigated, with 
first oil remaining on schedule for 2023.

Experienced contractors are in place, including MODEC as 
contractor for the FPSO, Subsea Integration Alliance for 
subsea, umbilicals, risers and flowlines, and Diamond Offshore 
for the drilling rigs. 

The VLCC vessel was delivered in Q3 2020 and cleaning operations 
were completed in Q4 2020. MODEC awarded major contracts 
to fabrication yards for FPSO conversion and integration, turret 
fabrication and modules fabrication. The detailed design of 
the FPSO facility is nearing completion, in readiness for the 
commencement of FPSO conversion activities in 2021. 

Subsea fabrication activities remain on schedule and preparations 
continue ahead of commencing an extensive drilling and 
completions campaign targeted for mid-2021. The drilling 
campaign will include up to 23 production, gas and water injection 
wells and will be undertaken using up to two drill ships.

The project contractors are establishing in-country 
infrastructure to support the start of the operations in Senegal.

In 2020, Woodside completed the processing of the recently 
acquired high definition multi-azimuth seismic which has  
shown significant improvement in data quality and supports  
the simplification and de-risking of the Phase 1 drilling program. 
The seismic data is also expected to provide a greater level of 
clarity for potential Phase 2 development planning.

Throughout 2020, we continued engagements with the 
Government of Senegal and other in-country stakeholders. 

34 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

2007 3D single azimuth reflectivity

N

2020 3DHD multi-azimuth reflectivity

Better continuity 
of reflectors

Improved imaging

N

Processing of new seismic data shows significant improvement in data quality

Given the challenges of COVID-19, face-to-face community 
engagements were limited to two series of engagements 
during March and November 2020. Outside of these community 
engagements, notifications regarding the Sangomar Field 
Development activities were delivered to local communities 
across a variety of communication methods. Stakeholder 
engagements continue to focus on coastal areas and 
communities in the Dakar, Thies and Fatick regions. 

In August 2020, Woodside gave notice that it was exercising its 
right to pre-empt the sale of Capricorn Senegal Limited’s entire 
participating interest in the RSSD Joint Venture. This transaction 
completed in December 2020, increasing Woodside’s 
participating interest to 68.33% for the Sangomar exploitation 
area and 75% for the remaining RSSD evaluation area.

A contract was awarded in December 2020 to MODEC for the 
operations and maintenance covering all in-country installation 
and commissioning activities followed by an initial 10-year 
operations and maintenance term.

In December 2020, Woodside gave notice that it was exercising 
its right to pre-empt the sale of FAR Senegal RSSD SA’s (FAR) 
entire participating interest in the RSSD joint venture. Woodside’s 
participating interest would increase to 82% for the Sangomar 
exploitation area and 90% for the remaining RSSD evaluation 
area following completion of this acquisition. Woodside and 
FAR executed a sale and purchase agreement in January 2021. 
Completion is subject to FAR shareholder approval and other 
conditions precedent.

During 2020, Petrosen’s participating interest in the Sangomar 
Exploitation Area was increased from 10% to 18%.

Woodside interest: 68.33%, operator 

m
5
2

500m

S400 well path

Higher resolution

Location of the Sangomar Field, offshore Senegal

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Developments 35

!(!(PSC RSSD - Rufisque,Sangomar and SangomarDeep OffshoreBanjulDakarSenegalSenegalThe GambiaThe Gambia0306090KilometresNORTHATLANTICOCEANGas FieldsOil FieldsSangomarDRIMS-#1401667627NWS PROJECT EXTENSION

will allow KGP to receive gas from both the Pluto fields and the 
Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2. Environmental approvals to process 
this ORO gas are in place.

In January 2021, arrangements were finalised with the Western 
Australian Government for the processing of gas from Pluto  
and Waitsia.

Emerging available LNG capacity at NWS (100% project)1

Early ORO

Marketable capacity

75%

50%

25%

0%

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

1. 

Indicative representation only, not guidance.

Environmental approvals
The NWS Project is currently undergoing an environmental 
review process, seeking environmental approval to enable 
operations to continue beyond 2030. Woodside is responding 
to comments on the Environmental Review Document and 
targeting final approvals in 2021.

Woodside Interest: 16.67%, operator

The NWS reservoirs are expected to produce gas for many 
years into the future. However, as well production rates start 
to decline, some capacity in the NWS Project’s infrastructure is 
becoming available to process gas supplied by other resource 
owners (OROs). This will enable the ongoing supply of gas 
and liquids to domestic and international markets, and ensure 
continued employment, contracting opportunities and social 
investment in the region for decades to come. 

In 2020, the NWS Project Extension achieved key regulatory, 
commercial, technical and environmental milestones. 

Early ORO commercial agreements secured
The NWS Project participants executed fully-termed gas processing 
agreements (GPAs) in December 2020 for processing third-party 
gas through the NWS Project facilities. GPAs were signed with 
Woodside Burrup Pty Ltd, in respect of gas from the Pluto fields, 
and with subsidiaries of Mitsui & Co Ltd and Beach Energy Limited, 
in respect of gas from the Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2.  
All conditions precedent to both GPAs have been satisfied. 

Execution of the GPAs is an important milestone in establishing 
NWS as a tolling facility, and will unlock further value for 
the NWS Project participants. The agreements will provide 
additional revenue, increase utilisation of the NWS Project 
infrastructure, add to Western Australia’s domestic gas supplies 
and help underpin Australia’s economic recovery.

In December 2020, the NWS Project participants achieved 
a final investment decision to build two new onshore gas 
receiving points and tie-in infrastructure. The construction of 
this infrastructure commenced in January 2021. This infrastructure 

BROWSE

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Applied for production licences
 + Progressed value optimisation opportunities
 + Assessing feasibility of carbon capture and storage

The Browse resource is located in the offshore Browse Basin, 
approximately 425 km north of Broome in Western Australia, 
comprising of the Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa fields. The 
Browse resource contains an estimated contingent resource (2C) 
of 4.3 Tcf of dry gas and 119 MMbbl of condensate Woodside 
share (13.9 Tcf of dry gas and 390 MMbbl of condensate, 100%).

During 2020, key work activities continued in support of FEED 
entry. These included progressing relevant regulatory approvals 

and pursuing value optimisation opportunities to ensure Browse 
is well placed to progress as market conditions improve. Work 
continues to assess the feasibility of carbon capture and storage.

The Browse Joint Venture is finalising its response to comments on 
the Browse Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental 
Review Document and targeting final approvals in 2021.

In H1 2020, production licence applications over the WA-28-R, 
WA-29-R, WA-30-R, WA-31-R, TR/5 and R2 titles were submitted 
to the relevant State and Commonwealth regulators for the 
Calliance and Torosa fields. A retention lease renewal application 
was submitted in relation to the Brecknock field over the  
WA-32-R title. These applications are still under assessment. 

Woodside is targeting FEED entry in 2023.

Woodside interest: 30.6%, operator

36 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

MYANMAR A-6

2020 HIGHLIGHTS
 + Completed concept definition studies  

and site surveys

 + Continued gas marketing discussions  

with counterparties

 + Progressed regulatory approvals 

Block A-6 is in the Rakhine Basin, offshore Myanmar, and covers 
approximately 10,000 km2 in water depths of up to 2,400 m. 
The A-6 Development concept includes the drilling of up to 10 
deep-water wells (six wells in Phase 1 and up to four additional 
wells in Phase 2). The gas will be exported by a 265 km pipeline 
to a riser platform located near the existing Yadana platform 
complex and the riser platform will distribute gas through 

SUNRISE

existing pipeline infrastructure. The A-6 Development is 
targeting the delivery of competitive and reliable natural gas  
to Myanmar and Thailand. 

In 2020, we progressed technical and marketing workstreams in 
support of FEED entry. This followed the agreement of revised 
fiscal terms in late 2019. Activities in 2020 included concept 
definition studies and offshore baseline surveys to establish key 
parameters of the development, and this work plan progressed 
despite COVID-19 restrictions. We continue to progress the A-6 
Development activities as a priority.

Woodside’s current working interest of 40% is subject to 
Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise’s (MOGE) right to acquire a 
working interest of up to 20%. If MOGE elects to acquire the  
full 20%, Woodside’s working interest will reduce to 32%. 

Woodside interest: 40%

The Sunrise development comprises the Sunrise and 
Troubadour gas and condensate fields, collectively known 
as Greater Sunrise. These contain an estimated contingent 
resource (2C) of 1.7 Tcf of dry gas and 76 MMbbl of condensate 
Woodside share (5.1 Tcf of dry gas and 226 MMbbl of 
condensate, 100%).

Following the establishment of a new maritime boundary 
treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste in 2019, negotiations 
between the two Governments and the Sunrise Joint Venture on 
a new Greater Sunrise Production Sharing Contract (PSC) have 
been ongoing. 

The Sunrise Joint Venture is committed to progressing this 
opportunity provided there is fiscal and regulatory certainty 

required for a commercial development. Key to this will be 
agreeing a new PSC and an appropriate fiscal regime, on terms 
and conditions equivalent to the existing regime. 

In November 2020, Woodside performed full-waveform 
inversion on 3,200 km2 of 3D seismic data from the Greater 
Sunrise gas resource. This was executed using cloud 
computing, utilising more than 1 million virtual central 
processing units (vCPUs).

Until a new PSC is finalised, the Sunrise Joint Venture will 
continue to meet title (JPDA 03-19 and JPDA 03-20) and 
Retention Lease (NT/ RL2 and NT/RL4) requirements and 
provide support for social investment activities in Timor-Leste. 

Woodside interest: 33.44%

KITIMAT LNG

The proposed Kitimat LNG project in Canada is an opportunity 
to provide up to 18 Mtpa of LNG to Asian markets.

Woodside remains committed to working with our stakeholders 
to improve the cost competitiveness of the proposed project.

The development concept includes natural gas resources in  
the Liard Basin in north-east British Columbia, transportation  
by the 471 km Pacific Trail Pipeline and a liquefaction facility at 
Bish Cove near Kitimat, British Columbia.

Woodside interest: 50%

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Developments 37

E
T
A
R
O
P
R
O
C

RISK

Our approach to risk management enables us to take 
risk for reward, protects against negative impacts and 
improves our resilience to emerging risks.

Woodside recognises that risk is inherent in our business and the effective 
management of risk is vital to deliver our strategic objectives, continued growth and 
success. We are committed to managing risks in a proactive and effective manner as  
a source of competitive advantage.

We apply a structured and comprehensive approach to the identification, assessment 
and treatment of current risks and in response to emerging risks. Our risk management 
framework provides a single consolidated view of risks across the company to quantify 
our full risk exposure and prioritise risk management and governance. 

The framework is aligned with the intent of the International Standard ISO31000 
for risk management, providing line of sight of risk at appropriate levels of the 
organisation, including the executive team and the Board, based on defined materiality 
thresholds. Our assessment of risk considers both financial and non-financial 
exposures, including health and safety, environment, finance, reputation and brand, 
legal and compliance, social and culture.

The framework requires a biannual review by the executive team and the Board to 
evaluate the strategic risk profile, the effectiveness of the material current risk being 
managed and our resilience to emerging risks. The Board reviewed and confirmed in 
2020 that the risk management framework is sound, and that Woodside is operating 
with due regard to the risk appetite endorsed by the Board.

Climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy influences Woodside’s 
strategy, presenting both risk and opportunity in the operation of our existing assets or 
commercialisation of our growth portfolio.

We leverage our risk management framework to ensure an integrated and coordinated 
approach to the management of climate change across the business. The risks posed 
by the transition to a lower-carbon economy are recognised given changes in policy, 
regulation or social expectations in current or future markets. Refer to page 42 for 
more details on Woodside’s approach to climate change.

Refer to our Sustainable Development Report 2020 for more 
information on sustainability issues of importance to our 
stakeholders and our business.

SUSTAINABLE  
DEVELOPMENT 
REPORT

Refer to Woodside’s Corporate Governance Statement 
for more information (www.woodside.com.au/about-us/
corporate-governance).

Overview of our strategic and material risks

TITLE

CONTEXT

RISK

MITIGATION

Operations

Maintaining the technical 
integrity and operational 
performance of our 
assets is essential to 
protecting our people, 
the environment, our 
licence to operate and 
the financial capacity to 
support existing business 
and growth opportunities.

Failure to deliver safe, reliable and efficient 
operations could result in a sustained, unplanned 
interruption to production, and a failure to meet 
production forecasts, deliver base business and 
provide revenue to support growth.

Our operating assets are subject to operating 
hazards associated with major accident events, 
cyber attacks, extreme weather events and 
disruptions within global supply chains that 
may ultimately lead to a loss of hydrocarbon 
containment or additional costs.

Finance

Woodside’s financial 
performance and resilience 
may be impacted by key 
factors such as:

•  Disruption in  

An inability to fund the delivery of strategic 
portfolio objectives could prevent Woodside from 
unlocking value, weaken financial resilience and 
result in a loss of shareholder value. Risk factors 
include;

market dynamics.

•  Commodity prices are variable and are 

•  Ability to maintain 

competitive 
advantage.

•  Access to capital.

•  Management of 
financial risks.

impacted by global economic factors beyond 
Woodside’s control.

•  Demand for and pricing of our products 

remain sensitive to external economic and 
political factors, weather, natural disasters, 
introduction of new and competing supply, 
changes in buyer preferences for differing 
products and price regimes.

•  We are exposed to treasury and financial 

risks, including liquidity, changes in interest 
rates, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates 
and credit risk.

Safe operation is fundamentally embedded through an 
extensive framework of controls that deliver strong operational 
performance in our base business. We have a track record of 
operating discipline and excellence.

The framework includes production processes, drilling and 
completions and well integrity management processes, 
inspection and maintenance procedures and performance 
standards. The framework is supported and inspected on  
an ongoing basis by our regulators.

The framework is adaptable to ensure we are able to maintain and 
improve our operating model and performance, target reliability, 
cost discipline, emissions reductions and strong safety and 
environmental performance for both our existing business and 
future growth opportunities.

The delivery of our strategic portfolio objectives requires 
significant capital expenditure, supported by strong underlying 
cashflows.

•  Uncertainty associated with product demand is mitigated by 
selling LNG in a portfolio manner and under long-term ‘take 
or pay’ sale agreements, in addition to the spot market. Our 
low cost of production and prudent approach to balance 
sheet risk management further mitigates this exposure.

•  A flexible approach to capital management enables this 
overall level of investment in the different areas of our 
business and the mix to be adjusted to reflect the external 
environment. Our capital management strategy focuses on 
capital allocation, capital discipline and capital efficiency.

•  We maintain insurance in line with industry practice and 
sufficient to cover normal operational risks. However, 
Woodside is not insured against all potential risks because 
not all risks can be insured and because of constraints on the 
availability of commercial insurance in global markets.

• 

Insufficient liquidity to meet financial 
commitments and fund growth opportunities 
could have a material adverse effect on our 
operations and financial performance.

• 

•  Our financing costs could be affected by 

interest rate fluctuations or deterioration in 
our long-term investment grade credit rating.

•  We are exposed to credit risk; our 

counterparties could fail or could be unable 
to meet their payment or performance 
obligations under contractual arrangements.

Insurance coverage is determined by the availability of 
commercial options and cost/benefit analysis, taking into 
account Woodside’s risk management program. Losses 
that are not insured could impact Woodside’s financial 
performance. For example, Woodside does not purchase 
insurance for the loss of revenue arising from an operational 
interruption. Our extensive framework of financial controls, 
including monitoring of counterparties, enables the 
management of these risks.

•  The US dollar reflects the majority of Woodside’s underlying 
cashflows and is used in our financial reporting, reducing our 
exposure to currency fluctuations.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 39

TITLE

CONTEXT

RISK

MITIGATION

Failure to commercialise and deliver 
Scarborough could result in a loss of 
shareholder value and inability to deliver  
our growth strategy.

Scarborough Scarborough extends 

the economic life of 
Pluto LNG, enables 
future tiebacks from 
adjacent resources, and 
will generate significant 
long-term cashflow to 
underpin Woodside’s 
future growth strategy.

We employ a number of measures designed to commercialise 
and deliver Scarborough, including: 

•  Creating a technically safe design and optimised production 

reference case.

•  Progressing and finalising commercial agreements, including 

tolling and sale and purchase agreements.

•  Executing an optimum funding strategy, including sell-down 

of participating interest.

•  Securing regulatory approvals and government agreements.

•  Leveraging existing contractors to secure EPC pricing for key 

contractors and suppliers.

See page 32 for more information on the Scarborough 
development.

Growth

Innovation

Climate 
change

Growth opportunities 
can be captured 
through exploration, 
mergers, acquisitions or 
expansions. Each may 
incur risks that impact 
our ability to realise the 
expected value.

We focus on maintaining 
our competitive 
advantage by delivering 
value through new 
ideas, technologies or 
diversified products.

The practical application 
of innovation delivers 
near-term value to our 
base business and in the 
longer-term, transforms 
and creates opportunities 
to thrive in a lower 
carbon economy.

Climate change is 
impacting the way that 
the world produces 
and consumes energy, 
and this is expected to 
accelerate in time.

Climate change also 
requires adaptation to 
physical change.

The inability to identify and commercialise 
growth opportunities, or realise their full value, 
may result in a loss of shareholder value.

Our opportunity management framework is flexible and 
adaptable with the primary objective to realise the value of an 
opportunity whilst mitigating the risk of a sub-optimal outcome.

We aim to identify and progress a suite of commercially 
attractive and sustainable opportunities that complement our 
existing assets, enable portfolio diversity and optimise our 
commercial position.

We continue to monitor and assess growth opportunities 
through mergers and acquisitions on a case by case basis.

Failure to build, embed, leverage and support 
innovation may result in a significant threat to 
the competitive advantage of our base business 
and our longer-term sustainability.

We drive the practical application of innovation through an 
entrepreneurial, opportunity-focused, agile approach. We seek 
and leverage world-class knowledge and innovation communities, 
platforms and tools to reduce unit costs for both our base 
business and future growth opportunities.

We are creating a portfolio of new energy opportunities  
to form new strategic partnerships or capture market 
in response to emerging trends, and disruptive and 
complementary technologies.

This will impact the transition to a lower carbon 
economy, and may impact demand (and pricing) 
for LNG and its substitutes, the policy and legal 
environment for its production, our reputation, 
and our operating environment.

Woodside contributes to solving climate change challenges by 
supplying LNG, improving our energy efficiency, focusing on 
reducing our emissions (and potentially those of our customers 
or value chain participants), and developing innovative new 
energy technologies and markets for the efficient delivery of 
lower-carbon energy to grow a longer-term resilient portfolio.

We have clear near- and mid-term emissions reduction targets 
with plans to meet them. We engage and advocate with key 
industry and governance stakeholders.

See page 42 for more information on our climate change risk 
management.

40 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

TITLE

CONTEXT

RISK

MITIGATION

People  
& Culture

Woodside must 
maintain sufficient 
talent, capability and 
capacity and a strong 
organisational culture.

Failure to establish and maintain sufficient 
workforce capability and capacity may impact 
achievement of our base business or future 
growth objectives and inhibit new energy 
opportunities.

An ineffective operating model could inhibit the 
energy transition of our base business and new 
energy opportunities.

Woodside has a set of resourcing frameworks to attract, retain 
and develop our workforce to support both base business and 
growth opportunities. We recognise and value the benefits of 
creating an inclusive and diverse working environment.

We employ a direct engagement model to maintain effective 
employee and industrial relations. We proactively engage our 
major contractors (and suppliers) to strengthen alignment with 
expectations, securing capability and pricing to meet future 
business needs.

We are reviewing our current and future operating models  
to support both base business and growth opportunities.

Social 
licence to 
operate

Digital and 
cybersecurity

An engaged and enabled 
workforce underpins 
our ability to deliver 
base business, future 
growth and new energy 
opportunities.

This may impact our 
operating model, and 
create the need for a new 
or co-existing culture at 
Woodside.

Our business performance 
is underpinned by our 
social licence to operate, 
that requires compliance 
with legislation and the 
maintenance of a high 
level of ethical behaviour 
and social responsibility.

Our business activities 
are subject to extensive 
regulation and 
government policy in each 
of the countries where 
we do business. Failure to 
comply may impact our 
licence to operate.

Stakeholders have 
evolving expectations 
of social responsibility 
and ethical decision 
making. These are 
changing at a rate faster 
than governments can 
introduce or amend 
regulation.

Woodside continues 
to invest in and rely on 
sustainable and secure 
digital technologies to 
deliver a cost competitive 
base business, to enhance 
our growth opportunities 
and pace of innovation.

Cyber risks continue to 
evolve with greater levels 
of sophistication.

Regulatory and 
compliance obligations 
are increasing for data 
protection and security  
of critical infrastructure. 

Failure to meet stakeholder expectations  
can lead to opposition and a decline in support 
for both our base business and future growth 
opportunities.

Woodside proactively maintains and builds our social licence to 
operate through the application of our Compass values, effective 
stakeholder engagement strategies, our regulatory compliance 
framework and our anti-fraud and corruption program.

A significant or continuous departure from 
national or local laws, regulations or approvals 
may result in negative social and cultural 
impacts, reputation and brand, and loss of 
licence to operate.

Violation of international anti-bribery and 
corruption laws may expose Woodside to fines, 
criminal sanctions and civil suits, and negatively 
impact our international reputation.

Our regulatory compliance framework proactively maintains 
relationships with governments and regulators within countries 
that support base business and future growth opportunities.

Woodside maintains meaningful relationships with stakeholders, 
seeking proactive engagement to inform decisions and gain 
support for changes.

Our fraud and corruption framework aims to prevent, detect 
and respond to unethical behaviour. It incorporates policies, 
standards, guidelines and training to ensure activities are 
conducted ethically and to a high standard.

Failure to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity 
and availability of digital data and information. 
Woodside’s technology systems may be subject 
to both unintentional and intentional disruption, 
for example cybersecurity attack.

We are committed to the protection of our people, assets, 
reputation and brand through securely enabled digital technologies.

Digital risks are identified, assessed and managed based on 
the business criticality of our people and systems, and may be 
required to be segregated and isolated. Digital risks include third 
parties, including suppliers and service providers, within our 
supply chain.

Our operating model aims to continuously assess and determine 
access permissions to critical information or data, whilst 
consolidating, simplifying and automating security controls. 

Our exposure to cyber risk is managed by a control framework 
that ensures cyber events are identified, contained and 
recovered in a timely manner, and embeds a cyber-safe culture 
across the company, with our joint venture participants and  
in our supply chain. 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 41

CLIMATE

Governance
Woodside’s Board is responsible for 
governance of climate change issues. 

The Board recognises both the risks and opportunities that 
climate change represent to Woodside and works with the 
Executive Committee to ensure our response considers 
both the external context and the interests of shareholders. 
Consideration of climate-related matters informs Woodside’s 
strategy and targets.

Our climate-related disclosures in this Annual Report are 
structured to align with the recommendations of the Task  
Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).  
Woodside is an official supporter of the TCFD framework.

Informed decisions
The Board considered climate-related disclosures and actions 
throughout 2020. Key milestones included:

•  Endorsing a roadmap for increasing our climate-related 

disclosures

•  Approving revised economic assumptions for the valuation 
of Woodside’s assets and investment choices, including an 
assumed carbon price of $80/tonne1

•  Setting new near- and medium-term targets for the reduction 
of Woodside’s global equity share of Scope 1 and 2 emissions

•  Endorsing a review of Woodside’s memberships of industry 

associations for alignment with our climate positions.

Our climate change strategy and associated emissions targets 
were explained at our Investor Briefing Day in November 2020.

Woodside’s management regularly updates the Board and 
its relevant committees on material changes to Woodside’s 
climate-related performance, risks and opportunities.  
A dedicated Senior Vice President (SVP) Climate, reporting 
directly to the CEO, was appointed in 2020 and briefs Board 
members on climate-related issues to assist in developing 
Woodside’s response. Woodside’s Chief Economist also 
provides regular updates on macroeconomic indicators, 
including those related to climate change.

Focused committees
The Sustainability Committee provides oversight of Woodside’s 
sustainability performance, policies and practices, including 
climate-related matters. Climate change is on the agenda of 
every Committee meeting, of which there were four in 2020. 
The Sustainability Committee is responsible for:

•  reviewing Woodside’s Climate Change Policy to ensure  

that it is current

•  overseeing external communication on climate-related risks 

and opportunities

•  monitoring external policy developments

•  reviewing Woodside’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse  

gas (GHG) emissions.

The Audit & Risk Committee maintains effective risk oversight 
through its biannual review of Woodside’s procedures for 
identifying, assessing and managing risks. The review considers 
Woodside’s overall risk management framework, including 
climate change risks.

Board

Sustainability 
Committee

Audit & Risk 
Committee

CEO

SVP Climate

Divisions

1.  Assumed long-term Australian regulatory cost of carbon applied across a wide range of future regulatory scenarios.

42 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Commitment to sustainability is at the heart of 
our business today and drives our thinking about 
what we will become in the decades ahead

Ann Pickard, Chair of the Sustainability Committee

Increased wealth requires increased energy1

Woodside’s climate strategy

Woodside prospers in a lower-carbon world

Maintain 
and build 
a carbon-
resilient 
portfolio

Limit our 
emissions

Manage 
physical 
impacts

Advocate 
for a 
competitive 
lower-
carbon 
economy

a
t
i
p
a
c

r
e
p
P
D
G
7
1
0
2

h
g
H

i

i

m
u
d
e
M

w
o
L

Australia
Individual countries

1.  United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

2017 energy use per capita

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 43

StrategyWoodside accepts the scientific consensus on climate change. We support the Paris Agreement and its goal to limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2°C from pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Meeting the Paris Agreement goals will require a global effort to reduce emissions and increase carbon sinks, such as forests, that remove carbon from the atmosphere.As the world’s population and living standards increase, more energy is required. This will present a challenge to meeting the Paris Agreement goals. A sustainable future will require emissions reductions to be achieved whilst providing the safe, clean, affordable and reliable energy the world needs.Our customers have many options to reduce emissions and there will not be a single global pathway. Woodside’s climate change strategy, which informs our business plan, is built on  a vision to “prosper in a lower-carbon world”. The strategy  is underpinned by four pillars and addresses the risks and opportunities facing our business as a result of climate change and the need to decarbonise the global economy.A core element of our strategy focuses on our efforts to maintain and further build a resilient and viable long-term business.  We remain a competitive supplier of LNG, particularly to economies in our region. Gas demand is expected to grow in the coming decades as it is a flexible energy source with lower greenhouse and local air quality emissions compared to other fossil fuel options. We have clear targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions in our portfolio. We are working with our customers to understand how LNG supports their decarbonisation plans, and to develop and deploy new energy technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.   Further information on our work on new energy technologies is included in our Sustainable Development Report 2020. 
 
 
 
 
Testing portfolio resilience
There is no industry standard for climate-related scenario 
analysis. In order to assess the impact of potential future climate 
change pathways on our portfolio, we compare our internal oil 
and gas price assumptions to external price scenarios.

For example, the International Energy Agency (IEA) publishes 
several scenarios, two of which are described in this report. 
The Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) extrapolates the stated 
policies of the world’s governments, but does not result in a 
Paris-aligned outcome. The Sustainable Development Scenario 
(SDS) is derived by working back from a Paris-aligned outcome 
to determine what policies would be required to achieve it. 
These scenarios are explained in more detail on the following 
page. The IEA oil price forecasts in both scenarios fall within 
or above Woodside’s evaluation range. We evaluate our 
investments across a number of relevant variables, including  
a wide range of oil price outcomes that encompass major 
climate-related scenarios, including IEA-STEPS and IEA-SDS.1

Woodside conducts comprehensive economic forecasting that 
considers the risks and opportunities presented by a transition 
to a lower-carbon economy. These include political risk, policy 

Economic impact of IEA scenario oil price forecasts1

IEA oil price forecasts under different scenarios (2020)

95

75

55

35

l

e
r
r
a
b
/
S
U
$
)
9
1
0
2

l

a
e
r
(

l
i

o
e
d
u
r
C

IEA-STEPS
Not Paris-aligned

IEA-SDS
Paris-aligned

2025

2030

2035

2040

and regulatory developments, economic growth in our key 
markets, exchange rates, price shocks due to industry or 
producer behaviour, and specific technology developments that 
might impact demand for our products. This forecasting process 
results in a range of oil and gas price assumptions, which inform 
our investment decisions.

IEA-STEPS 
Not Paris-aligned: 2.70C outcome

IEA-SDS 
Paris-aligned: 1.650C outcome

Sangomar Field Development

Scarborough and Pluto Train 2

Browse (processed at NWS, no CCS)

Myanmar A-6 Development

Hydrogen

Market growth to commercial scale is delayed

Market growth to commercial scale is accelerated

Value accretive with economic value higher than reference case

Value accretive with economic value lower than reference case

Concept optimisation may be required, including cost competitive carbon management

Signposts
The IEA scenarios are widely used, but we recognise that there 
are many other potential outcomes which may result in oil 
and gas prices outside the IEA range. We monitor “signposts” 
to help inform our opinions on the range of credible future 
outcomes. For example:

•  The growth of Paris-aligned net zero commitments made by 
governments and customers in our target markets, together 
with increased funding for new energy technologies, could be 
evidence of an outcome consistent with the IEA scenarios.

•  A widespread lack of implementation of policies, or a retreat 
from the ambition included in Paris commitments, could be 
evidence of reduced action on climate change, potentially 
leading to oil prices higher than the IEA scenarios.

•  Adoption of policies that limit the use of available pathways 
to achieving the Paris goals, for example by selecting one 
decarbonisation technology over others, could lead to a 
higher cost of transition and potentially to oil prices lower 
than the IEA scenarios.

1.  Economic value is measured as the net present value of unlevered net cashflows based on Woodside’s internal economic and reference case assumptions.  

The reference case is based on Woodside’s mid-case for economic assumptions.

44 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
 
 
IEA Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS)
SDS maps out an accelerated transition to a low-carbon economy 
and projects a global temperature rise of below 1.8°C by 2100, with 
a 66% probability (without reliance on net-negative global CO₂ 
emissions), which is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement to 
limit global warming to well below 2°C. Importantly, the SDS will also 
meet the other UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably 
access to affordable energy and reducing air pollution.

IEA Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS)
STEPS assumes that the policy initiatives that have already 
been announced are enacted. These initiatives include the 
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) pledged under the 
Paris Agreement. Although the IEA has not explicitly outlined a 
temperature outcome under its most recent iteration of STEPS, 
estimates range between 2-3°C with an average temperature rise 
of 2.7°C being the most commonly accepted figure.

Under the SDS, global demand for LNG is expected to undergo 
a modest increase until 2030, after which demand will drop and 
return to present levels by 2040, well above the levels that natural 
field decline will reduce supplies to without additional investment. 
Within this global overview, natural gas demand continues to grow 
throughout the period in the Asia Pacific, where Woodside has its 
target markets.

Risk management
Climate change is one of our strategic risks, which means that it is fully integrated 
into our risk management process, applies globally and has significant oversight from 
the Board and Executive Committee. 

Woodside’s Risk Management Procedure defines the requirements 
of our risk management process and enables the organisation 
to understand its strategic risks. Management at all levels has 
accountability for managing these risks in their area in accordance 
with our values and Compass. 

Climate change risk and opportunities are assessed through our 
strategic risk process and in alignment with the recommendations 
of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. 

These risks are interdependent with other risks that we manage. 
For example, COVID-19 has provided a clear example of the risk 
that a global pandemic presents to global oil and gas demand  
and pricing, as well as continuity of operations. 

Examples of risks and opportunities include:

•  Market demand for natural gas may vary across countries 

and economic sectors, requiring flexibility, competitiveness 
and lower-carbon production. A changing energy mix could 
see increased gas demand.

•  Technology risk associated with the pace of cost-reduction 
in new energy technologies, requiring an agile approach 
and development of relationships in the university and 
technology sectors. 

•  Policy and legal risk that regulation (for example overlapping 

State and Federal regulation in Australia) increases the 
cost of abatement and impedes delivery. Regulation could 
also provide inadequate support for the commercial-scale 
deployment of new energy technologies. 

•  Natural gas plays an important role in plans to decarbonise 
the energy mix in the Asia Pacific region. The reputation  
of gas producers could be damaged if this role is not  
widely understood.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 45

Physical risk case study
Rising mean air temperatures and the increased severity of tropical cyclones have been identified as the main physical 
climate-related risks to Woodside’s operating assets. These changes to the climate, among others, could impact the 
health and safety of our employees and our ability to meet production targets, as well as impact our operational 
infrastructure or disrupt supply chains.

We are continually working to improve our resilience to physical risks, including by enhancing our forecasting and risk 
assessment processes. Our people have been trained to monitor extreme weather events and have experience mitigating 
their impacts. For instance, we have already taken steps to ensure our assets are resilient to the impacts of rising air and 
sea temperatures, as well as rising sea levels, by factoring these risks into asset design, which is reviewed every five years.

We have engaged with industry partners and researchers in the field of climate science to enhance our ability to manage 
climate-related physical risks. For example, our metocean specialists are contributing to the development of industry 
guidelines for the assessment of physical climate risks through engagement with the Climate Change Task Force, 
established by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP). We have also partnered with the Australian 
Bureau of Meteorology to improve tropical forecasting systems. Our partnership in this area contributed to ensuring the 
resilience of our assets when Tropical Cyclone Damien directly impacted our facilities in February 2020.

The North Rankin Complex, part of the North West Shelf infrastructure, was redeveloped in 2011. 
The air gap beneath the new platform was increased in response to increasing ocean wave heights. 

46 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Targets and metrics
Woodside has set clear near- and 
medium-term targets for emissions 
reduction.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions
Woodside aspires to net zero emissions from operations by 
2050 or sooner for our equity share of Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
from our global portfolio, including non-operated businesses. 
Scope 1 emissions are those that arise directly from our 
operations, such as from the use of fuel, flaring, or from the 
production of naturally occurring CO₂ from our petroleum 
reservoirs. Scope 2 emissions are those associated with the 
generation of any power that we purchase. 

Woodside has set clear targets to reduce net equity emissions 
below our 2016-2020 gross annual average emissions, on the 
pathway to our aspiration of net zero by 2050. These emissions 
reduction targets are:

• 

15% by 2025

•  30% by 2030.

The 2016-2020 baseline may be adjusted (up or down) for 
potential equity changes in producing assets or developments 
achieving FID prior to 2021. We will not use asset divestments as 
a lever for achieving these targets.

This builds on our existing emissions reduction and offset 
programs, which have cumulatively avoided net emissions of more 
than 2.2 million tonnes of CO₂-e since 2008 (equity basis, from a 
total of 2.8 million tonnes, gross joint venture).

Woodside’s plan to meet these targets has three components:

1.  Avoiding emissions through the way we design our plants

2.  Reducing emissions through the way we operate our plants

3.  Offsetting emissions, by both originating and acquiring 

quality offsets. 

Methane emissions
CO₂ is the largest source of Woodside’s greenhouse gas 
emissions. Fugitive methane emissions are equivalent to less 
than 0.1% of our total hydrocarbon production volume. This is 
well below the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative benchmark of 0.2%. 
Woodside’s conventional gas production has an intrinsically 
lower fugitive emission profile than unconventional gas 
production, such as from shale gas or coal seams. 

As a signatory to the Methane Guiding Principles, we are 
committed to pursuing methane emissions reductions across 
the value chain. As part of our commitment to measure 
methane emissions from our operations, we participated in an 
independent study by UK-based National Physical Laboratory, 
to enable us to deliver targeted maintenance and changes to 
our operations. To pursue action across the value chain, we 
participated in a Methane Guiding Principles workshop hosted 
by the Beijing Gas Company at the 23rd China Gas and Heating 
Supply Conference. 

Scope 3 emissions
The majority of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with 
Woodside’s business are its Scope 3 emissions – in particular, 
those that arise when our customers combust the LNG product 
that we sell to them. Formal responsibility for emissions rests 
with the direct (Scope 1) emitter, which is an important principle 
fundamental to the Paris Agreement. As countries act to reduce 
these emissions, we recognise that this creates both risks and 
opportunities for energy demand. For example, the Governments 
in Woodside’s major markets of Japan, China and Korea have all 
set ‘net zero’ targets for their Scope 1 emissions.

Woodside intends to continue pursuing the business opportunity 
of working with customers to help them achieve their emissions 
reduction and energy transition goals. In 2020 our SVP Climate 
initiated a dialogue with our major customers on this topic and 
Woodside will further enhance its approach to Scope 3 emissions 
during 2021.

Woodside’s decarbonisation roadmap

Over

2.2Mt

 equity CO2-e offset  
or avoided to date

15%

below baseline  
by 2025

30%

below baseline  
by 2030

Net

ZERO

aspiration by  
2050 or sooner

DELIVERED

NEAR-TERM

MEDIUM-TERM

LONG-TERM

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 47

RESERVES AND 
RESOURCES

Woodside delivered record Reserves production of 102 MMboe from strong asset performance.18 
Increased participating interest in the Sangomar Field Development contributed to a net increase of 
41 MMboe Proved (1P) Undeveloped Reserves, 64 MMboe Proved plus Probable (2P) Undeveloped 
Reserves and 124 MMboe Best Estimate (2C) Contingent Resources in the Senegal region.  
The impairment of WA-404-P resulted in the reclassification of 123 MMboe Proved plus Probable 
(2P) Undeveloped Reserves to Best Estimate (2C) Contingent Resources. Re-assessment of the 
Liard upstream development concept resulted in a reduction of 290 MMboe Best Estimate (2C) 
Contingent Resource.

Table 1: Woodside’s reserves1,3,4,5 and contingent resources2 overview* (Woodside share, as at 31 December 2020)

Dry gas  
Bcf

Condensate 
MMbbl

Oil  
MMbbl

Proved11 Developed13 and Undeveloped14

Proved Developed

Proved Undeveloped

Proved plus Probable12 Developed and Undeveloped

Proved plus Probable Developed

Proved plus Probable Undeveloped

Contingent Resources

*Small differences are due to rounding.

Table 2: Key metrics

2020 reserves replacement ratio15

Organic 2020 reserves replacement ratio16

Three-year reserves replacement ratio

Organic three-year reserves replacement ratio

Reserves life17

Annual production18

Net acquisitions and divestments

3,118.3

1,736.2

1,382.1

4,502.6

2,599.5

1,903.1

31,113.5

51.1

31.0

20.1

72.9

45.2

27.7

231.4

%

%

%

%

Years

MMboe

MMboe

Total  
MMboe

714.5

367.8

346.6

1,040.6

553.7

486.9

5,924.8

116.3

32.2

84.1

177.8

52.5

125.3

234.9

Proved

Proved plus 
Probable

-54

-100

-3

-20

7

101.9

47.2

-69

-138

-2

-26

10

101.9

70.4

1P Reserves

2P Reserves

2C Contingent Resources

0
5
1
,
1

0
8
0
,
1

1
1
0
,
1

5
1
9

1
7
8

e
o
b
M
M

4
1
7

e
o
b
M
M

8
0
5
,
1

2
4
4
,
1

4
3
3
,
1

8
3
2
,
1

3
1
2
,
1

9
7
9
5

,

5
2
9
5

,

7
1
5
5

,

4
1
0
5

,

2
1
0
5

,

1
4
0
,
1

,

8
9
3
e 4
o
b
M
M

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

48 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Table 3: Proved (1P) and Proved plus Probable (2P) Developed and Undeveloped Reserves  
annual reconciliation by product* (Woodside share, as at 31 December 2020)

Dry gas⁶  
Bcf⁸

)
P
2
(

l

e
b
a
b
o
r
P

l

s
u
p
d
e
v
o
r
P

Condensate⁷  
MMbbl⁹

)
P
1
(
d
e
v
o
r
P

)
P
2
(

l

e
b
a
b
o
r
P

l

s
u
p
d
e
v
o
r
P

)
P
1
(
d
e
v
o
r
P

Oil  
MMbbl

)
P
2
(

l

e
b
a
b
o
r
P

l

s
u
p
d
e
v
o
r
P

)
P
1
(
d
e
v
o
r
P

Total  
MMboe10

)
P
2
(

l

e
b
a
b
o
r
P

l

s
u
p
d
e
v
o
r
P

)
P
1
(
d
e
v
o
r
P

4,078.2

5,646.5

7.7

-5.6

-499.3

-669.9

-

-

-

-

-468.3

-468.3

3,118.3

4,502.6

71.5

2.1

-12.6

-

-

-10.0

51.1

100.0

0.9

-18.1

-

-

-10.0

72.9

83.8

1.5

-6.5

-

47.2

-9.7

116.3

122.4

870.8

1,213.0

1.0

-6.4

-

70.4

-9.7

177.8

5.0

1.0

-106.7

-142.0

-

47.2

-101.9

714.5

-

70.4

-101.9

1,040.6

Reserves at 31 December 2019

Revision of Previous Estimates19

Transfer to / from Reserves20

Extensions and Discoveries21

Acquisitions and Divestments22

Annual Production

Reserves at 31 December 2020

*Small differences are due to rounding.

Table 4: Best Estimate Contingent Resources (2C)  
annual reconciliation by product*  
(Woodside share, as at 31 December 2020)

Table 5: Best Estimate Contingent Resources (2C)  
summary by region*  
(Woodside share, as at 31 December 2020)

Dry gas  
Bcf

Condensate 
MMbbl

Oil  
MMbbl

Total  
MMboe

32,134.8

212.6

129.0

5,979.3

Project

Greater Browse29

Greater Sunrise31

-

-285.4

Greater Pluto24

Contingent Resources  
at 31 December 2019

Revision of Previous 
Estimates

Transfer to / from 
Reserves 

Extensions and 
Discoveries

Acquisitions and 
Divestments

Contingent Resources  
at 31 December 2020

*Small differences are due to rounding.

-1,630.6

672.3

-

-63.0

0.7

18.2

-

-

6.3

142.4

-

-

99.6

88.5

31,113.5

231.4

234.9

5,924.8

Greater Exmouth26

North West Shelf25

Wheatstone27

Canada33

Senegal28

Greater Scarborough30

Myanmar32

Total

Dry gas  
Bcf

Condensate 
MMbbl

Oil  
MMbbl

Total  
MMboe

4,257.8

1,716.8

1,201.5

307.4

316.4

20.3

13,368.5

192.5

9,108.5

624.0

31,113.5

119.4

75.6

23.6

2.2

10.3

0.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

32.0

11.7

-

-

191.2

-

-

866.4

376.7

234.3

88.1

77.6

3.9

2,345.3

224.9

1,598.0

109.5

231.4

234.9

5,924.8

*Small differences are due to rounding.

1P Reserves by region  
(Developed and Undeveloped)

2P Reserves by region  
(Developed and Undeveloped)

2C Contingent Resource by region

714
MMboe

1,041
MMboe

 Greater Pluto
 Greater Exmouth
 Senegal

%

40
3
12

 North West Shelf
 Wheatstone

%

23
22

 Greater Pluto
 Greater Exmouth
 Senegal

%

42
4
12

 North West Shelf
 Wheatstone

%

20
22

5,925
MMboe

%

 Greater Browse
 Greater Pluto
 North West Shelf
 Canada
 Greater Scarborough 27

15
4
1

40  Senegal
 Myanmar

 Greater Sunrise
 Greater Exmouth
 Wheatstone

%

6
1
0
4
2

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 6: Proved (1P) Developed and Undeveloped23 Reserves by region*

Dry gas  
Bcf

Condensate  
MMbbl

Oil  
MMbbl

Total  
MMboe

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

l

a
t
o
T

719.1

804.1

1,523.2

736.4

59.0

795.4

-

-

-

280.8

519.0

799.7

-

-

-

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

10.5

15.3

-

5.2

-

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

10.2

1.2

-

8.7

-

1,736.2

1,382.1

3,118.3

31.0

20.1

l

a
t
o
T

20.7

16.5

-

13.9

-

51.1

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

-

9.4

22.8

-

-

32.2

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

-

-

1.0

-

83.0

84.1

Greater Pluto24

North West Shelf25

Greater Exmouth26

Wheatstone27

Senegal28

Reserves

*Small differences are due to rounding.

Table 7: Proved plus Probable (2P) Developed and Undeveloped23 Reserves by region*

Dry gas  
Bcf

Condensate  
MMbbl

Oil  
MMbbl

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

l

a
t
o
T

1,266.0

1,067.8

2,333.8

893.8

79.8

973.6

-

-

-

439.7

755.5

1,195.2

-

-

-

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

17.6

18.7

-

8.9

-

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

13.5

1.7

-

12.5

-

l

a
t
o
T

31.1

20.4

-

21.4

-

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

-

11.4

41.1

-

-

2,599.5

1,903.1 4,502.6

45.2

27.7

72.9

52.5

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

-

-

0.9

-

124.4

125.3

Greater Pluto

North West Shelf

Greater Exmouth

Wheatstone

Senegal

Reserves

*Small differences are due to rounding.

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

136.7

153.8

22.8

54.5

-

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

151.2

11.6

1.0

99.7

83.0

367.8

346.6

l

a
t
o
T

287.9

165.4

23.9

154.2

83.0

714.5

Total  
MMboe

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
D

l

l

d
e
p
o
e
v
e
d
n
U

l

a
t
o
T

239.7

200.9

440.5

186.9

41.1

86.0

-

15.7

0.9

145.1

124.4

202.6

42.1

231.1

124.4

553.7

486.9

1,040.6

l

a
t
o
T

-

9.4

23.9

-

83.0

116.3

l

a
t
o
T

-

11.4

42.1

-

124.4

177.8

Governance and Assurance
Woodside as an Australian company listed on the Australian 
Securities Exchange, reports its petroleum resource estimates 
using definitions and guidelines consistent with the 2018 Society 
of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)/World Petroleum Council (WPC)/
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)/Society 
of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE) Petroleum Resources 
Management System (PRMS). 

Woodside has several processes to provide assurance for 
reserves reporting, including the Woodside Reserves Policy, 
Petroleum Resources Management Procedure, Petroleum 
Resource Management Guideline, staff training and minimum 
competency levels, and external reserves audits. 97% of 
Woodside’s Proved Reserves have been externally verified  
by independent review over the past four years.

Unless otherwise stated, all petroleum resource estimates are 
quoted as net Woodside share at standard oilfield conditions  
of 14.696 pounds per square inch (psi) (101.325 kPa) and  
60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.56 degrees Celsius).

Qualified Petroleum Reserves  
and Resource Evaluator Statement
The estimates of petroleum resources are based on and fairly 
represent information and supporting documentation prepared 
under the supervision of Jason Greenwald, Woodside’s Vice 
President Reservoir Management, who is a full-time employee 
of the company and a member of the Society of Petroleum 
Engineers. Mr Greenwald’s qualifications include a Bachelor of 
Science (Chemical Engineering) from Rice University, Houston, 
Texas, and more than 20 years of relevant experience. 

The Reserves and Resource Statement as a whole has been 
approved by Ian Sylvester, Woodside’s Vice President Corporate 
Reserves, who is a full-time employee of the company and a 
member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Mr Sylvester’s 
qualifications include a Master of Engineering (Petroleum 
Engineering) from Imperial College, University of London, 
England, and more than 20 years of relevant experience.

50 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Notes to the Reserves and Resource Statement

1. 

2. 

‘Reserves’ are estimated quantities of petroleum that have been demonstrated 
to be producible from known accumulations in which the company has a 
material interest from a given date forward, at commercial rates, under presently 
anticipated production methods, operating conditions, prices and costs. 

‘Contingent resources’ are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given 
date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations, but the applied 
project(s) are not yet considered mature enough for commercial development 
due to one or more contingencies. Contingent resources may include, for 
example, projects for which there are currently no viable markets, or where 
commercial recovery is dependent on technology under development, or where 
evaluation of the accumulation is insufficient to clearly assess commerciality. 
Woodside reports contingent resources net of the fuel and flare required for 
production, processing and transportation up to a reference point and non-
hydrocarbons not present in sales products. Contingent resources estimates 
may not always mature to reserves and do not necessarily represent future 
reserves bookings. Contingent resource volumes are reported at the ‘Best 
Estimate’ (P50) confidence level.

3.  Assessment of the economic value of the project, in support of a reserves 
classification, uses Woodside Portfolio Economic Assumptions (PEAs).  
The PEAs are reviewed on an annual basis or more often if required. The review 
is based on historical data and forecast estimates for economic variables such 
as product prices and exchange rates. The PEAs are approved by the Woodside 
Board. Specific contractual arrangements for individual projects are also taken 
into account.

4.  Woodside uses both deterministic and probabilistic methods for estimation of 
petroleum resources at the field and project levels. Unless otherwise stated, all 
petroleum estimates reported at the company or region level are aggregated 
by arithmetic summation by category. Note that the aggregated Proved level 
may be a very conservative estimate due to the portfolio effects of arithmetic 
summation. Probabilistic aggregation at field and project level is more 
appropriate than arithmetic summation as inter-field dependencies reflecting 
different reservoir characteristics between fields are incorporated.

5.  Woodside reports reserves net of the fuel and flare required for production, 

processing and transportation up to a reference point. For offshore oil projects, 
the reference point is defined as the outlet of the Floating Production Storage 
and Offloading facility (FPSO), while for the onshore gas projects the reference 
point is defined as the inlet to the downstream (onshore) processing facility. 
Downstream fuel and flare represent 9.9% of Woodside’s Proved (Developed 
and Undeveloped) reserves, and 9.9% of Proved plus Probable (Developed and 
Undeveloped) reserves.

6. 

’Dry gas’ is defined as ‘C4 minus’ petroleum components including non-
hydrocarbons. These volumes include LPG (propane and butane) resources. 
Dry gas reserves and contingent resources include ‘C4 minus’ hydrocarbon 
components and non-hydrocarbon volumes that are present in sales product. 

7. 

‘Condensate’ is defined as ‘C5 plus’ petroleum components.

8. 

9. 

‘Bcf’ means Billions (109) of cubic feet of gas at standard oilfield conditions of 
14.696 psi (101.325 kPa) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.56 degrees Celsius).

‘MMbbl’ means millions (106) of barrels of oil and condensate at standard 
oilfield conditions of 14.696 psi (101.325 kPa) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit  
(15.56 degrees Celsius).

10.  ‘MMboe’ means millions (106) of barrels of oil equivalent. Dry gas volumes, 

defined as ‘C4 minus’ hydrocarbon components and non-hydrocarbon volumes 
that are present in sales product, are converted to oil equivalent volumes 
via a constant conversion factor, which for Woodside is 5.7 Bcf of dry gas 
per 1 MMboe. Volumes of oil and condensate, defined as ‘C5 plus’ petroleum 
components, are converted from MMbbl to MMboe on a 1:1 ratio.

11. 

 ‘Proved reserves’ are those reserves which analysis of geological and 
engineering data suggests, to a high degree of confidence that the quantities 
are recoverable. Where probabilistic methods are used, there is at least a 90% 
probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum  
of estimated Proved (1P) reserves.

12.  ‘Probable reserves’ are those reserves which analysis of geological and 
engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable.  
Proved plus Probable reserves represent the best estimate of recoverable 
quantities. Where probabilistic methods are used, there is at least a 50% 
probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the  
sum of estimated Proved plus Probable (2P) reserves.

13.  ‘Developed reserves’ are those reserves that are producible through currently 
existing completions and installed facilities for treatment, compression, 
transportation and delivery, using existing operating methods and standards.

14.  ‘Undeveloped reserves’ are those reserves for which wells and facilities have 
not been installed or executed but are expected to be recovered through 
future investments.

15.  The ‘reserves replacement ratio’ is the reserves (Developed and Undeveloped) 

change during the year, before the deduction of production, divided by 
production during the year. The ‘three-year reserves replacement ratio’ is the 
reserves (Developed and Undeveloped) change over three years, before the 
deduction of production for that period, divided by production during the 
same period. 

16.  The ‘organic annual reserves replacement ratio’ is the reserves (Developed 

and Undeveloped) change during the year, before the deduction of 
production and adjustment for acquisition and divestments, divided  
by production during the year.

17.  The ‘reserves life’ is the reserves (Developed and Undeveloped) divided  

by production during the year.

18.  ‘Annual production’ is the volume of dry gas, condensate and oil produced 

during the year and converted to ’MMboe’ for the specific purpose of reserves 
reconciliation and the calculation of reserves replacement ratios. The ‘Reserves 
and Resources Statement’ annual production differs from production volumes 
reported in the company’s annual and quarterly reports due to differences 
between the sales and reserves product definitions, differences between the 
Woodside equity share of NWS Domestic gas production and independently 
marketed pipeline gas sales, reserves being reported gross of downstream fuel 
and flare and the ‘MMboe’ conversion factors applied.

19.  ‘Revision of Previous Estimates’ are revisions (either upward or downward) 
in previous estimates of reserves or contingent resources, which are a result 
from new information normally obtained from development drilling, field 
re-interpretation, production performance, or are the result of a change in 
economic factors including any change in Woodside net revenue interest not 
arising from acquisition or divestment. This change category is associated 
with absolute changes to the resource estimates associated with the affected 
reference projects but excludes re-classification changes.

20.  ‘Transfer to / from Reserves’ are revisions that represent changes (either upward 

or downward) in previous estimates of reserves or contingent resources, which are 
a result of re-classification of resource estimates (i.e. from reserves to contingent 
resources or vice versa) associated with one or more reference project(s).

21.  ‘Extensions and Discoveries’ represent additions to reserves or contingent 

resources that result from increased areal extensions of previously discovered 
fields demonstrated to exist subsequent to the original discovery and/or 
discovery of reserves or contingent resource in new fields or new reservoirs  
in old fields.

22.  ‘Acquisitions and Divestments’ represent changes to resource entitlement (either 
upward or downward) that result from either purchase or sale of interests and/or 
execution of contracts conveying entitlement.

23.  Material concentrations of undeveloped reserves in the North West Shelf, Greater 
Pluto and Wheatstone region(s) have remained undeveloped for longer than 
5 years from the dates they were initially reported as the incremental reserves 
are expected to be recovered through future developments to meet long-term 
contractual commitments. The incremental projects are included in the company 
business plan, demonstrating the intent to proceed with the developments.

24.  The ‘Greater Pluto’ region comprises the Pluto-Xena, Pyxis, Larsen, Martell, 

Martin, Noblige and Remy fields. 

25.  The ‘North West Shelf’ (NWS) region includes all oil and gas fields within the 

North West Shelf Project Area.

26.  The ‘Greater Exmouth’ region comprises Vincent, Enfield, Greater Enfield, 

Greater Laverda, Ragnar and Toro fields.

27.  The ‘Wheatstone’ region comprises the Julimar and Brunello fields.

28.  The ‘Senegal’ region comprises the Sangomar field. The Developed and 
Undeveloped reserves comprise of oil estimates. The Best Estimate (2C) 
Contingent resources include gas and oil estimates.

29.  The ‘Greater Browse’ region comprises the Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa fields. 

30. The ‘Greater Scarborough’ region comprises the Jupiter, Scarborough and 

Thebe fields.

31.  The ‘Greater Sunrise’ region comprises the Sunrise and Troubadour fields.

32.  The ‘Myanmar’ region comprises the fields within the A-6 development.

33.  The ‘Canada’ region comprises unconventional resources in the Liard Basin.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Corporate 51

E
C
N
A
N
R
E
V
O
G

WOODSIDE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS

Richard Goyder, AO 

Peter Coleman

Larry Archibald

Frank Cooper, AO

Swee Chen Goh

Christopher Haynes, OBE

Ian Macfarlane

Ann Pickard

Sarah Ryan

Gene Tilbrook

Richard Goyder, AO
BCom, FAICD 

Larry Archibald
BSc (Geosciences), BA (Geology), MBA 

Chairman: Chairman since April 2018

Term of office: Director since February 2017

Term of office: Director since August 2017

Independent: Yes

Independent: Yes

Experience: 24 years with Wesfarmers Limited, including 
Managing Director and CEO from 2005 to late 2017. Chairman 
of the Australian B20 (the key business advisory body to the 
international economic forum which includes business leaders 
from all G20 economies) from February 2013 to December 2014.

Committee membership: Chair of the Nominations & 
Governance Committee. Attends other Board committee 
meetings.

Current directorships/other interests:

Experience: Former ConocoPhillips company executive (2008 
to 2015), spending eight years in senior positions including 
Senior Vice President, Business Development and Exploration, 
and Senior Vice President, Exploration. Prior to this, spent 29 
years at Amoco (1980 to 1998) and BP (1998 to 2008) in various 
positions including leadership of exploration programs covering 
many world regions.

Committee membership: Audit & Risk, Sustainability and 
Nominations & Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Chairman: Qantas Airways Limited, Australian Football League 
Commission, Channel 7 Telethon Trust, JDRF Australia and WA 
Symphony Orchestra.

Chair: University of Arizona Geosciences Advisory Board.

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil

Member: Evans and Partners Investment Committee.

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil.

Frank Cooper, AO
BCom, FCA, FAICD 

Peter Coleman
BEng, MBA, FTSE, MAICD, D.Eng (Hon), D.Law (Hon) 

CEO and Managing Director 

Term of office: Director since May 2011 

Independent: No

Experience: 37 years in the global oil and gas business, 
including 27 years’ experience with the ExxonMobil group. 
Appointed an Adjunct Professor in Corporate Strategy by the 
University of Western Australia in 2012. Recipient of an Alumni 
Lifetime Achievement Award from Monash University and 
a Fellowship from the Australian Academy of Technological 
Sciences and Engineering.

Committee membership: Attends Board committee meetings.

Current directorships/other interests:

Chair: Australia–Korea Foundation (since 2014).

Director: Business Council of Australia (since 2017).

Member: Executive Committee of the Australia Japan Business 
Co-operation Council (since 2011) and Australian Institute of 
Company Directors (since 2011).

Adviser: Monash Industry Council.

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil

Term of office: Director since February 2013

Independent: Yes

Experience: More than 35 years’ experience in corporate tax, 
specialising in the mining, energy and utilities sector, including 
senior leadership roles at three of the largest accounting firms 
and director of a leading Australian utility company.

Committee membership: Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee. 
Member of the Human Resources & Compensation and 
Nominations & Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Chair: Insurance Commission of Western Australia.

Director: St John of God Australia Limited (since 2015)  
and South32 Limited (since 2015).

Member: Pro-Chancellor of Senate of the University of 
Western Australia and member of ASIC Corporate Governance 
Consultative Panel. 

President: Western Australia division of the Australian Institute 
of Company Directors.

Trustee: St John of God Health Care (since 2015).

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Governance 53

Ian Macfarlane
Former Australian Federal Minister  
(Resources; Energy; Industry and Innovation), FAICD 

Term of office: Director since 2016

Independent: Yes

Experience: Australia’s longest-serving Federal Resources 
and Energy Minister and the Coalition’s longest-serving 
Federal Industry and Innovation Minister with over 14 years 
of experience in both Cabinet and shadow ministerial 
positions. Before entering politics, Mr Macfarlane’s experience 
included agriculture, and being President of the Queensland 
Graingrowers Association (1991 to 1998) and the Grains Council 
of Australia (1994 to 1996).

Committee membership: Member of the Human Resources  
& Compensation, Sustainability and Nominations  
& Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Chief Executive: Queensland Resources Council (since 2016).

Chair: Innovative Manufacturing Co-operative Research Centre.

Director: METS Ignited (since 2020).

Member: Toowoomba Community Advisory Committee of the 
University of Queensland Rural Clinical School.

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil

Swee Chen Goh
BSc (Information Science), MBA 

Term of office: Director since January 2020

Independent: Yes

Experience: Joined Shell in 2003 and retired as Chairperson of 
the Shell companies in Singapore in January 2019. Served on 
the boards of a number of Shell joint ventures in China, Korea 
and Saudi Arabia and has extensive board and governance 
experience. Prior to joining Shell, worked at Procter & Gamble 
and IBM. Gained significant experience in a diverse range of 
industries, including oil and gas, consumer goods and IT.

Committee membership: Member of the Human Resources  
& Compensation, Sustainability and Nominations & Governance 
Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Chair: Singapore Institute for Human Resource Professionals 
(since 2016) and the National Arts Council Singapore  
(since 2019).

Director: Singapore Airlines Ltd (since 2019), Singapore Power 
Ltd (since 2019), CapitaLand Ltd (since 2017) and The Centre  
for Liveable Cities (since 2021).

Member: Singapore Legal Services Commission.

President: Global Compact Network Singapore.

Trustee: Nanyang Technological University.

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil

Christopher Haynes, OBE
BSc, DPhil, FREng, CEng, FIMechE, FIEAust 

Term of office: Director since June 2011

Independent: Yes

Experience: A 38-year career with Shell including as Executive 
Vice President, Upstream Major Projects within Shell’s Projects 
and Technology business, General Manager of Shell’s operations 
in Syria and a secondment as Managing Director of Nigeria 
LNG Ltd. From 1999 to 2002, seconded to Woodside as General 
Manager of the North West Shelf Venture. Retired from Shell  
in 2011.

Committee membership: Member of the Audit & Risk, 
Sustainability and Nominations & Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Director: Worley Limited (since 2012).

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil

54 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
Gene Tilbrook
BSc, MBA, FAICD 

Term of office: Director since 2014

Independent: Yes

Experience: Broad experience in corporate strategy, investment 
and finance. Senior executive of Wesfarmers Limited between 
1985 and 2009, including roles as Executive Director Finance 
and Executive Director Business Development.

Committee membership: Chair of the Human Resources & 
Compensation Committee. Member of the Audit & Risk and 
Nominations & Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Director: Orica Limited (since 2013) and the Bell  
Shakespeare Company.

Member: Western Australia division of the Australian Institute  
of Company Directors (since 2013).

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: GPT Group Limited (2010-2021).

Ann Pickard
BA, MA 

Term of office: Director since February 2016

Independent: Yes

Experience: Retired from Shell in 2016 after a 15-year tenure 
holding numerous positions, including Executive Vice President 
Arctic, Executive Vice President Exploration and Production, 
Country Chair of Shell in Australia, and Executive Vice President 
Africa. Previously had an 11-year tenure with Mobil prior to its 
merger with Exxon.

Committee membership: Chair of the Sustainability Committee. 
Member of the Human Resources & Compensation and 
Nominations & Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Director: KBR Inc. (since 2015) and Noble Corporation plc  
(since 2021).

Member: Chief Executive Women and University of Wyoming 
Foundation Board.

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Nil

Sarah Ryan
BSc (Geology), BSc (Geophysics) (Hons 1), PhD  
(Petroleum and Geophysics), FTSE 

Term of office: Director since 2012

Independent: Yes

Experience: More than 30 years’ experience in the oil and 
gas industry in various technical, operational and senior 
management positions, including 15 years with Schlumberger 
Ltd. From 2007 to 2017 was an equity analyst, portfolio 
manager and energy advisor for Earnest Partners.

Committee membership: Member of the Audit & Risk, 
Sustainability and Nominations & Governance Committees.

Current directorships/other interests:

Director: Akastor ASA (since 2014), Aurizon Holdings (since 
2019), MPC Kinetic Pty Ltd (since 2016) and Viva Energy Group 
Ltd (since 2018).

Member: Chief Executive Women (since 2016), ASIC Corporate 
Governance Consultative Panel (since 2019) and Board of the 
Future Battery Industries Co-operative Research Centre  
(since 2020).

Directorships of other listed entities within the past three 
years: Central Petroleum Limited (2017 to 2018).

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Governance 55

 
CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

We believe high standards of governance and transparency are essential.

Corporate governance at Woodside
Woodside is committed to a high level of corporate governance 
and fostering a culture that values ethical behaviour, integrity and 
respect. We believe that adopting and operating in accordance 
with high standards of corporate governance is essential for 
sustainable long-term performance and value creation.

Woodside’s Compass is core to our governance framework. 
It sets out our mission, vision and strategic direction and core 
values of integrity, respect, working sustainably, working together, 
discipline and excellence. The Compass is the overarching guide 
for everyone who works for Woodside. Our values define what is 
important to us in the way we work.

 Refer to Woodside’s website for more information.

Our corporate governance model is illustrated below.  
The Woodside Management System (WMS) describes the 
Woodside way of working, enabling Woodside to understand 
and manage its business to achieve its objectives. It defines the 
boundaries within which our employees and contractors are 
expected to work. The WMS establishes a common approach  
to how we operate, wherever the location.

Woodside follows the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s 
Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (fourth 
edition) (ASXCGC Recommendations). Throughout the year, 
Woodside complied with all the ASXCGC Recommendations.

Our Corporate Governance Statement reports on Woodside’s 
key governance principles and practices. 

These principles and practices are reviewed regularly  
and revised as appropriate to reflect changes in law  
and developments in corporate governance.

The Corporate Governance Statement discusses arrangements 
in relation to our Board of Directors, committees of the Board, 
shareholders, risk management and internal control, the external 
auditor relationship, and inclusion and diversity.

The Chairman of the Board, Mr Richard Goyder, is an 
independent, non-executive director and a resident Australian 
citizen. The Chairman of the Board is responsible for leadership 
and effective performance of the Board. The Chairman’s 
responsibilities are set out in more detail in the Board Charter.

Mr Goyder is also Chairman of Qantas Airways Limited.  
The Board considers that neither his chairmanship of Qantas 
Airways Limited, nor any of his other commitments listed on 
page 53, interfere with the discharge of his duties to Woodside. 
The Board has arrangements in place to ensure ongoing 
leadership if unforeseen circumstances mean Mr Goyder is 
not available. Mr Goyder’s office is located in Woodside’s 
headquarters in Perth, Western Australia. The Board is satisfied 
that Mr Goyder commits the time necessary to discharge his 
role effectively.

Our website contains copies of Board and committee charters 
and copies of many of the policies and documents mentioned 
in the Corporate Governance Statement. The website is updated 
regularly to ensure that it reflects Woodside’s most current 
corporate governance information.

  Refer to Woodside’s Corporate Governance Statement  
for more information (www.woodside.com.au).

STAKEHOLDERS

BOARD

AUDIT & RISK 
COMMITTEE

HUMAN RESOURCES & 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER

NOMINATIONS &  
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

SUSTAINABILITY 
COMMITTEE

INDEPENDENT ASSURANCE

MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE AND ASSURANCE

EXTERNAL AUDIT

STRATEGY

AUTHORITIES

INTERNAL AUDIT

RISK 
MANAGEMENT

WOODSIDE  
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
INCLUDING WOODSIDE  
COMPASS AND POLICIES

OPERATING 
STRUCTURE

56 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

DIRECTORS’ 
REPORT

The directors of Woodside Petroleum Ltd present their report (including the Remuneration 
Report) together with the Financial Statements of the consolidated entity, being Woodside 
Petroleum Ltd and its controlled entities, for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Directors
The directors of Woodside Petroleum 
Ltd in office at any time during or since 
the end of the 2020 financial year and 
information on the directors (including 
qualifications and experience and 
directorships of listed companies held by 
the directors at any time in the last three 
years) are set out on pages 53-55.

The number of directors’ meetings held 
(including meetings of committees of 
the Board) and the number of meetings 
attended by each of the directors of 
Woodside Petroleum Ltd during the 
financial year are shown in Table 3 on 
page 15 of the Corporate Governance 
Statement. For all Board meetings held 
in 2020, all directors were present  
(in person or by virtual means).

Details of director and senior executive 
remuneration are set out in the 
Remuneration Report.

The particulars of directors’ interests in 
shares of the company as at the date of 
this report are set out on page 58.

Principal activities
The principal activities and operations of 
the Group during the financial year were 
hydrocarbon exploration, evaluation, 
development, production and marketing.

Other than as previously referred to in 
the Annual Report, there were no other 
significant changes in the nature of the 
activities of the consolidated entity 
during the year.

Consolidated results
The consolidated operating loss 
attributable to the company’s shareholders 
after provision for income tax was  
$4,028 million (profit of $343 million  
in 2019).

Review of operations
A review of the operations of the 
Woodside Group during the financial 
year and the results of those operations 
are set out on pages 4-51.

Significant changes in  
the state of affairs
The review of operations  
(pages 4-51) sets out a number 
of matters that have had a significant 
effect on the state of affairs of the 
consolidated entity.

Other than those matters, there were no 
significant changes in the state of affairs 
of the consolidated entity during the 
financial year.

Events subsequent to  
end of financial year
Since the reporting date, the directors 
have declared a fully franked dividend. 
More information is available in the 
‘Dividend’ section below. No provision 
has been made for this dividend in the 
financial report as the dividend was not 
declared or determined by the directors 
on or before the end of the financial year.

Dividend
The directors have declared a final 
dividend in respect of the year ended  
31 December 2020 of 12 cents per 
ordinary share (fully franked) payable  
on 24 March 2021.

Type

2020  
final

2020  
interim

2019  
final

Payment 
date

24 March 
2021

18 September 
2020

20 March 
2020

Period 
ends

31 December 
2020

30 June  
2020

31 December 
2019

Cents  
per share

Value  
$ millions

Fully 
franked

12

115



26

248



55

518



The full-year 2020 dividend was 38 cents per share.

Likely developments  
and expected results
In general terms, the review of operations 
of the Group gives an indication of likely 
developments and the expected results 
of the operations. In the opinion of 
the directors, disclosure of any further 
information would be likely to result in 
unreasonable prejudice to the Group.

Environmental compliance
Woodside is subject to a range of 
environmental legislation in Australia  
and other countries in which it operates.

Details of Woodside’s environmental 
performance are provided on page 28  
of the Sustainable Development Report.

Through its Health, Safety, Environment 
and Quality Policy, Woodside plans 
and performs activities so that adverse 
effects on the environment are avoided 
or kept as low as reasonably practicable.

Company Secretaries
The following individuals have acted as 
Company Secretary during 2020:

Andrew Cox
BA (Hons), LLB, MA

Vice President Legal and General Counsel, and 
Joint Company Secretary

Mr Cox joined Woodside in 2004 and was 
appointed to the role of Vice President Legal 
in January 2015. He was appointed Vice 
President Legal and General Counsel and 
Joint Company Secretary on 1 June 2017.

Warren Baillie
LLB, BCom, Grad. Dip. CSP

Company Secretary

Mr Baillie joined Woodside in 2005  
and was appointed Company Secretary 
effective 1 February 2012. Mr Baillie  
is a solicitor and chartered secretary.  
He is a former President of the board of 
the Governance Institute of Australia.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Governance 57

Signed in accordance with a resolution  
of the directors.

R J Goyder, AO
Chairman
Perth, Western Australia  
18 February 2021

P J Coleman
Chief Executive Officer  
and Managing Director
Perth, Western Australia  
18 February 2021

Auditor’s independence  
declaration to the Directors of 
Woodside Petroleum Ltd
As lead auditor for the audit of the financial 
report of Woodside Petroleum Ltd for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2020,  
I declare to the best of my knowledge and 
belief, there have been:

(a)   no contraventions of the auditor 

independence requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001 in relation to 
the audit; and

(b)   no contraventions of any applicable 
code of professional conduct in 
relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of 
Woodside Petroleum Ltd and the entities 
it controlled during the financial year.

Ernst & Young

T S Hammond
Partner
Perth, Western Australia  
18 February 2021

Liability limited by a scheme approved 
under Professional Standards Legislation

Indemnification and insurance  
of directors and officers
The company’s constitution requires  
the company to indemnify each director, 
secretary, executive officer or employee 
of the company or its wholly owned 
subsidiaries against liabilities (to the 
extent the company is not precluded by 
law from doing so) incurred in or arising 
out of the conduct of the business of the 
company or the discharge of the duties 
of any such person. The company has 
entered into deeds of indemnity with 
each of its directors, secretaries, certain 
senior executives, and employees serving 
as officers on wholly owned or partly 
owned companies of Woodside in terms 
of the indemnity provided under the 
company’s constitution.

From time to time, Woodside engages 
its external auditor, Ernst & Young, to 
conduct non-statutory audit work and 
provide other services in accordance with 
Woodside’s External Auditor Guidance 
Policy. The terms of engagement include 
an indemnity in favour of Ernst & Young:

•  against all losses, claims, costs, 

expenses, actions, demands, damages, 
liabilities or any proceedings (liabilities) 
incurred by Ernst & Young in respect 
of third-party claims arising from 
a breach by the Group under the 
engagement terms; and

•  for all liabilities Ernst & Young has 
to the Group or any third-party as 
a result of reliance on information 
provided by the Group that is false, 
misleading or incomplete.

The company has paid a premium under 
a contract insuring each director, officer, 
secretary and employee who is concerned 
with the management of the company or 
its subsidiaries against liability incurred in 
that capacity. Disclosure of the nature of 
the liability covered by and the amount of 
the premium payable for such insurance 
is subject to a confidentiality clause under 
the contract of insurance. The company 
has not provided any insurance for the 
external auditor of the company or a body 
corporate related to the external auditor.

Non-audit services and auditor 
independence declaration
Details of the amounts paid or payable to 
the external auditor of the company, Ernst 
& Young, for audit and non-audit services 
provided during the year are disclosed in 
note E.4 to the Financial Statements.

58 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Based on advice provided by the Audit 
& Risk Committee, the directors are 
satisfied that the provision of non-audit 
services by the external auditor during 
the financial year is compatible with the 
general standard of independence for 
auditors imposed by the Corporations 
Act 2001 for the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services were provided 
in accordance with Woodside’s 
External Auditor Policy and External 
Auditor Guidance Policy; and

• 

 all non-audit services were subject to 
the corporate governance processes 
adopted by the company and have 
been reviewed by the Audit & Risk 
Committee to ensure that they do  
not affect the integrity or objectivity 
of the auditor.

Further information on Woodside’s policy 
in relation to the provision of non-audit 
services by the auditor is set out in section 
7 of the Corporate Governance Statement.

The auditor’s independence declaration, 
as required under section 307C of the 
Corporations Act 2001, is set out on this 
page and forms part of this report.

Proceedings on behalf  
of the company

No proceedings have been brought 
on behalf of the company, nor has any 
application been made in respect of 
the company, under section 237 of the 
Corporations Act 2001.

Rounding of amounts
The amounts contained in this report 
have been rounded to the nearest million 
dollars under the option available to the 
company under Australian Securities and 
Investments Commission Corporations

(Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) 
Instrument 2016/191 dated 24 March 2016.

Directors’ relevant interests in Woodside 
shares as at the date of this report

Director

L Archibald

P Coleman

F Cooper

S C Goh

R Goyder

C Haynes

I Macfarlane

A Pickard

S Ryan

G Tilbrook

Relevant interest in shares

8,249

530,985¹

11,541

5,089

23,634

12,734

7,841

10,196

10,247

7,949

1.  Mr Coleman also holds Variable Pay Rights and 

Performance Rights under his CEO incentive arrangements, 
details of which are set out in the Remuneration Report in 
Table 13 on page 78 and Table 15 on page 81.

CONTENTS

Committee Chair's letter 

Remuneration Report (audited) 

KMP and summary of Woodside’s five-year performance 

2021 remuneration changes 

Executive Incentive Scheme (EIS) 

Executive KMP remuneration structure 

Corporate Scorecard measures and outcomes for 2020 

Executive KMP KPIs and outcomes for 2020 

Other equity plans 

Contracts for Executive KMP 

Non-executive directors (NEDs) 

Human Resources & Compensation Committee 

Use of remuneration consultants 

Reporting notes 

Statutory tables 

Glossary 

60

62

62

63

64

65

67

68

73

74

75

76

76

76

77

82

T
R
O
P
E
R
N
O
I
T
A
R
E
N
U
M
E
R

 
18 February 2021

Dear Shareholders

Woodside Petroleum Ltd
ACN 004 989 962

Mia Yellagonga
11 Mount Street
Perth WA 6000 
Australia
T: +61 8 9348 4000
F: +61 8 9214 2777

woodside.com.au

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2020. 

2020 was a challenging year with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant decline in oil and gas prices. 

The Board was proud of the leadership and collaboration shown by our employees through the COVID-19 pandemic in 
ensuring the safety of our employees and continued performance of our assets. 

Response to shareholder feedback

The Executive Incentive Scheme (EIS) is in its third year of operation. Given the significant votes against the Remuneration 
Report at the 2020 AGM, the Board has undertaken a comprehensive review of our incentive arrangements. We appreciated  
the opportunity to engage with our investors in March and November 2020. Through this engagement, it was clear that 
there was support for the structure and the principles of an annual performance-based award which is distributed largely 
through equity rights. However, we acknowledge the feedback that we should continue to improve our disclosures and 
consider the impact of our financial performance in strengthening the connection between corporate performance, 
executive reward and shareholder outcomes. In response to this, we have enhanced the detail of corporate and Executive 
KMP performance outcomes (pages 70 and 71) and introduced a take home pay table (pages 69 and 71) to better articulate 
actual executive pay outcomes. The longer-term (3-5 years) award of equity rights aligns with our investment timeframes 
and there have been no changes to this component of the EIS framework.

In 2021, we will be making further changes which are outlined in this letter and detailed in the report (page 63). We will 
continue to review the EIS to ensure it aligns the interest of Executives and investors.

Corporate performance 

The 2020 Corporate Scorecard was based on four equally weighted measures that impacted short- and long-term 
shareholder value. In June 2020 the Board endorsed Woodside’s revised 2020 business priorities which were adjusted 
to reset key focus areas for the organisation, stabilising the business whilst building a platform to enable Woodside to 
compete effectively as we transition out of the impact of COVID-19. Despite the ongoing challenges, we delivered record 
production of 100.3 MMboe and best-ever safety result. However, our Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) result was significantly 
below target due to lower oil and gas prices and impairments announced in July 2020; and we did not deliver all that we 
set out to achieve on our business priorities. 

Our overall Corporate Scorecard was below target at 3.5 out of 10. 

2020 remuneration outcomes

The challenges faced in 2020 have resulted in a significant negative impact on our financial outcomes and delayed major 
growth projects. As a result, the Board has excercised its discretion to reduce the variable incentive awarded to the CEO. 
The award has been reduced to 50% of target award and will be satisfied in Performance Rights only, subject to a three-
year deferral period with a Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR) test after three years. The CEO equity award will be 
presented for shareholder approval at the 2021 AGM.

Furthermore, the Board has exercised its discretion and reduced the EIS award by 30% for all other executives, resulting 
in below target outcomes for Executive KMP.

60 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

In summary, the 2020 remuneration outcomes include:

•  No fixed remuneration increase for the CEO 

•  CEO EIS award of 50% of target (33.3% of maximum opportunity), allocated in Performance Rights subject to a RTSR test 

after three years.

•  Reduced the EIS award by 30% resulting in Executive KMP awards ranging from 37.2% to 41.6% of maximum opportunity.

•  No cash award to Executives.

•  The 2014 and 2015 awards under the prior Executive Incentive Plan (EIP), were tested against their respective RTSR 
hurdles. This was the second test for the 2014 award which resulted in 13.3% vesting and the remaining 33% lapsing. 
This was the first test for the 2015 award and resulted in 38.3% vesting. 

•  No fee increases for the Non-executive directors.

2021 remuneration changes

In 2021 we will increase the impact of financial measures on overall corporate performance and executive reward. We will be 
changing our Corporate Scorecard from four to five equally weighted metrics. We will introduce two new financial metrics 
in place of NPAT - Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) and Operating Expenditure. 
The new financial metrics selected have a stronger alignment with shareholder experience. The five metrics and scorecard 
weightings will be:

•  Operating Expenditure – 20%

•  EBITDA – 20%

•  Production – 20%

•  Material Sustainability Issues – 20%

•  Delivery against Business Priorities – 20%

From 2021, the EIS Award outcomes will be determined by a 70% corporate performance weighting and a 30% individual 
performance weighting. 

We look forward to our ongoing engagement with you and sharing in Woodside’s future success. 

Yours sincerely

Gene Tilbrook

Chair of Human Resources & Compensation Committee

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 61

Remuneration Report (audited)

KMP and summary of Woodside’s five-year performance

Woodside’s key management personnel (KMP)

This report outlines the remuneration arrangements in place and outcomes achieved for Woodside’s KMP during 2020.

Woodside’s KMP are the people who have the authority to shape and influence the Group’s strategic direction and performance 
through their actions, either collectively (in the case of the Board) or as individuals acting under delegated authorities (in the case  
of the CEO and Senior Executives).

The names and positions of the individuals who were KMP during 2020 are set out in Tables 1a and 1b.

Table 1a - Executive KMP

Executive Director

Table 1b - Non-executive directors KMP

Richard Goyder, AO (Chairman)

Peter Coleman (Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO))

Senior Executives

Sherry Duhe (Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)

Larry Archibald

Frank Cooper, AO

Swee Chen Goh

Shaun Gregory (Executive Vice President Sustainability and Chief Technology Officer)

Christopher Haynes, OBE

Fiona Hick (Senior Vice President Operations)1

Meg O’Neill (Executive Vice President Development and Marketing)2

Michael Abbott (Senior Vice President Corporate and Legal)3

Ian Macfarlane

Ann Pickard

Sarah Ryan

Reinhardt Matisons (Executive Vice President Marketing, Trading and Shipping)4

Gene Tilbrook

1.  Ms Fiona Hick commenced as an Executive KMP on 1 July 2020.
2.  Ms Meg O’Neill’s title changed from Executive Vice President Development to 

Executive Vice President Development and Marketing on 1 August 2020.

3.  Mr Michael Abbott ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020.
4.  Mr Reinhart Matisons ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020.

Table 2 – Five-year performance

The table below outlines Woodside’s performance over the last five years against key metrics.

Net profit after tax (NPAT) 1

Earnings per share 3

Dividends per share

Share closing price (last trading day of the year)

Production
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation  
and amortisation (EBITDA)
Average annual dated Brent

(US$ million)

(US cents)

(US cents)

(A$)

(MMboe)

(US$ million)

(US$/boe)

2020

(4,028)

(424)

38

22.74

100.3

1,922 

42

2019

343 

37

91

34.38

89.6

3,531 

64

2018

1,364 

148

144

31.32

91.4

3,814 

71

2017 2

1,069 

123

98

33.08

84.4

2,918 

54

2016

868 

104

83

31.164

94.9

2,734 

45

1.  Represents NPAT attributable to equity holders of the parent with further details presented in the Financial Statements on pages 83-129.
2.  2017 NPAT has been restated for the retrospective application of AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (AASB 15), and earnings per share has been restated  

for the retrospective application of AASB 15 and the Retail Entitlement Offer.

3.  Basic and diluted earnings per share from total operations.
4.  Share closing price (last trading day) for 2015 was $28.72.

Remuneration Policy

Woodside aims to deliver affordable energy solutions and superior outcomes to stakeholders. To do so, the company must be able to 
attract and retain executive capability in a globally competitive market. The Board structures remuneration so that it rewards those who 
perform, is valued by Executives, and is strongly aligned with the company’s Compass, strategic direction and the creation of value for 
all stakeholders through efficient and safe operations and the development of new, value-creating projects.

Fixed Annual Reward (FAR) is determined having regard to the scope of the Executive’s role and their level of knowledge,  
skills and experience.

Variable Annual Reward (VAR) at target is structured to reward the Executives for achieving challenging yet realistic targets set by the 
Board which deliver short-term and long-term growth for the company. VAR aligns shareholder and executive remuneration outcomes 
by ensuring a significant portion of executive remuneration is at risk, while rewarding performance.

Executive remuneration is reviewed annually, having regard to the accountabilities, experience and performance of the individual.  
FAR and VAR are compared against domestic and international competitors at target, to maintain Woodside’s competitive 
advantage in attracting and retaining talent and to ensure appropriate motivation is provided to Executives to deliver on the 
company's strategic objectives.

62 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

2021 remuneration changes
Following feedback from our investors, we will be implementing changes to our Corporate Scorecard and the weighting of individual 
and corporate performance which determine executive remuneration. The purpose of this change is to strengthen the connection 
between corporate performance, executive reward and shareholder experience. 

An Executive’s award will be based on their individual performance against KPIs and the company’s performance against the 
Corporate Scorecard. Individual performance measures will be designed to ensure Executives focus on driving Woodside’s culture 
and the values and behaviours that underpin our success whilst executing Woodside’s strategic imperatives. 

Individual performance will be weighted at 30% and the corporate performance will be weighted at 70% to determine an Executive’s 
final performance outcome and reward.

70%

Corporate Scorecard

PERFORMANCE 
SCORE

Individual KPIs

30%

Individual performance

Individual performance will be assessed by the Board in the case of the CEO, and by the CEO and the Human Resources  
& Compensation Committee (HRCC) in the case of Senior Executives. 

Corporate Scorecard 

In 2021, the overall weighting of the financial metrics will increase from 25% (based on NPAT) to 40% (EBITDA and Operating Expenditure). 

The 2021 Corporate Scorecard for Executive KMP will be based on five equally weighted measures that have been chosen because  
they impact short- and long-term shareholder value. The Corporate Scorecard is the same for all employees to enable Executives to 
drive performance at all levels of the organisation. 

CORPORATE SCORECARD

Operating 
Expenditure

EBITDA

Production

Operating Expenditure 
demonstrates our 
unwavering focus on 
efficient operations, 
cost competitiveness 
and maximising 
shareholder returns.

EBITDA is a primary 
driver of near-term 
profitability and 
is influenced by 
both management 
performance and 
commodity prices.

Revenue is maximised 
and value generated 
from our assets when 
they are fully utilised in 
production. 

Material 
Sustainability 
Issues

Material sustainability 
issues including personal 
and process safety, 
environment, emissions 
reductions, and our 
social licence to operate. 

Deliver Business 
Priorities

Business priorities 
enables our whole 
organisation to focus 
on the key objectives 
that support the 
delivery of long-term 
shareholder value. 

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

We will continue to review the EIS to ensure it aligns the interest of Executives and investors.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 63

Executive Incentive Scheme (EIS)
The EIS was introduced in 2018. The scheme remunerates Executives for delivering results against measurable criteria aimed at safe, 
efficient operations; delivery of new projects and an effective financial structure. The EIS has been designed to deliver three key objectives:

Executive engagement

Enable Woodside to attract and 
retain executive capability in a 
globally competitive environment by 
providing Executives with a simple 
remuneration structure and clear 
line of sight to how performance is 
reflected in remuneration outcomes.

Alignment with the shareholder 
experience

87.5% of the award is delivered as equity 
in a combination of Restricted Shares or 
Performance Rights. The Performance 
Rights are relative total shareholder 
return (RTSR) tested against 
comparator groups, after five years.

Strategic fit

60% of the award has a five-year 
deferral period, which reflects 
Woodside’s strategic time horizons 
to drive Executives to deliver our 
strategic objectives with discipline 
and collaboration; in turn creating 
shareholder value.

The scheme delivers an award to Executives which is linked to annual individual and corporate performance, designed to be simple 
and transparent. Awards under the EIS are based on performance against the Corporate Scorecard and individual KPIs set for the 
2020 performance year.

The Board has strong oversight and governance to ensure that appropriate and challenging targets are set to create a clear link 
between performance and reward. The Board has an overriding discretion which it can and does exercise to adjust outcomes in line 
with shareholder experience and company or management performance.

Variable annual reward (VAR) 
The VAR is subject to performance against individual and corporate performance in the initial 12-month period and is determined  
at the conclusion of the performance year. It is delivered in the form of cash, Restricted Shares and Performance Rights. 

Whilst this is the structure for EIS, for the 2020 performance year the Board applied discretion as described on pages 68 and 69.

Performance tested 
Subject to a five-year deferral period with a RTSR test five years after the date of allocation; 
with one-third of performance rights tested against the ASX 50 companies and the remain-
ing two-thirds against a group of international oil and gas companies.

Deferred 
Subject to a five-year deferral period

Deferred 
Subject to a three-year deferral period

Performance  
Rights1

30%

Restricted 
Shares1

30%

Restricted 
Shares1

27.5%

Cash

12.5%

Payable following the end 
of the performance year

YEAR 12

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

YEAR 5

1.  Allocated using a face value methodology.
2.  Award allocated after completion of 12 month performance period.

64 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Executive KMP remuneration structure
Woodside’s remuneration structure for the CEO and Senior Executives is comprised of two components; Fixed and Variable Annual Reward.

Fixed Annual Reward

Variable Annual Reward

•  Based upon the scope of the 
executive’s role and their  
individual level of knowledge,  
skill and experience.

•  Benchmarked for competitiveness 
against domestic and international 
peers to enable the company 
to attract and retain superior 
executive capability.

•  Executives are eligible to receive a single variable reward linked to challenging 

individual and company annual targets set by the Board.

•  12.5% of the variable reward is paid in cash.

•  27.5% is allocated in Restricted Shares, subject to a three-year deferral period.

•  30% is allocated in Restricted Shares, subject to a five-year deferral period.

•  30% is allocated in Performance Rights which are subject to a RTSR test five 

years after the date of grant; with one-third tested against a comparator group 
that comprises the ASX 50 and the remaining two-thirds against a group of 
international oil and gas companies determined by the Board.

Minimum Shareholding Requirements (MSR) Policy

The MSR policy reflects the long-term focus of management and aims to further strengthen alignment with shareholders.  
The policy requires Senior Executives to have acquired and maintained Woodside shares for a minimum total purchase price 
of at least 100% of their fixed remuneration after a period of five years, and in the case of the CEO a minimum of 200% of 
fixed remuneration.

Table 3 – Key VAR features

Allocation methodology

Dividends

Clawback provisions

Control event

Restricted Shares and Performance Rights are allocated using a face value allocation methodology. 
The number of Restricted Shares and Performance Rights is calculated by dividing the value by the 
volume weighted average price (VWAP) in December each year.

Executives are entitled to receive dividends on Restricted Shares. No dividends are paid on 
Performance Rights prior to vesting. For Performance Rights that do vest, a dividend equivalent 
payment will be paid by Woodside for the period between allocation and vesting.

The Board has the discretion to reduce unvested entitlements including where an Executive has acted 
fraudulently or dishonestly or is found to be in material breach of their obligations; there is a material 
misstatement or omission in the financial statements; or the Board determines that circumstances 
have occurred that have resulted in an unfair benefit to the Executive.

The Board has the discretion to determine the treatment of any EIS award on a change of control 
event. If a change of control occurs during the 12-month performance period, an Executive will receive 
at least a pro-rata cash payment in respect of the unallocated cash and Restricted Share components 
of the EIS award for that year, assessed at target. If a change of control occurs during the vesting 
period for equity awards, Restricted Shares will vest in full whilst Performance Rights may, at the 
discretion of the Board, vest on an at least pro-rata basis.

Cessation of employment During a performance period, should an Executive provide notice of resignation or be terminated for 

cause, no EIS award will be provided. In any other case, Woodside will have regard to performance against 
target and the portion of the performance period elapsed in determining the form of any EIS award.

During a vesting period, should an Executive provide notice of resignation or be terminated for cause, 
any EIS award will be forfeited or lapse. In any other case, any Restricted Shares will vest in full from a 
date determined by the Board while any Performance Rights will remain on foot and vest in the ordinary 
course subject to the satisfaction of applicable conditions. The Board will have discretion to accelerate the 
vesting of unvested equity awards, subject to termination benefits laws.

No retesting

There will be no retest applied to EIS awards. Performance Rights will lapse if the required RTSR 
performance is not achieved at the conclusion of the five-year period.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 65

Calculation of award for 2020

Each Executive’s award is based upon two equally weighted components: individual performance against challenging KPIs and the 
company’s performance against the Corporate Scorecard. This results in an individual performance factor (IPF) which ranges from 
0 to 1.6 for Executive KMP. The Corporate Scorecard targets and individual KPIs are designed to promote short- and long-term 
shareholder value. Performance against individual KPIs is assessed by the Board in the case of the CEO, and by the CEO and the 
HRCC in the case of Senior Executives. Exceeding targets may result in an increased award, whereas under-performance will result  
in a reduced award. The minimum award that an Executive can receive is zero if the performance conditions are not achieved.  
The decision to pay or allocate an EIS award is subject to the overriding discretion of the Board, which may adjust outcomes in  
order to better reflect shareholder outcomes, and company or management performance.

INDIVIDUAL KPIs

CORPORATE SCORECARD

IPF

See page 68 for details of the CEO’s individual KPIs and page 69 for Senior Executives.

Equally weighted

Target variable reward opportunity for 2020

Each Executive is given a target VAR opportunity and a maximum VAR opportunity which is a percentage of the Executive’s FAR.  
The opportunities for 2020 are outlined below.

Position

CEO

Senior Executives

Cash

Minimum opportunity

Target opportunity

Maximum opportunity (% of FAR)

Zero

200

160

300

256

The cash component represents 12.5% of the VAR and is payable following the end of the performance year.

Restricted Shares 

The Restricted Shares are divided into two tranches. The first tranche is 27.5% of the award and subject to a three-year deferral 
period. The second tranche is 30% of the award and subject to a five-year deferral period. There are no further performance 
conditions attached to these awards. This element creates a strong retention proposition for Executives as vesting is subject to 
employment not being terminated with cause or by resignation during the deferral period. The deferral ensures that awards remain 
subject to fluctuations in share price across the three and five-year periods, which is intended to reflect the sustainability  
of performance over the medium- and long-term and support increased alignment between Executives and shareholders.

Performance Rights

The Performance Rights are divided into two portions with each portion subject to a separate RTSR performance hurdle tested over 
a five-year period. Performance is tested after five years as Woodside operates in a capital intensive industry with long investment 
timelines. It is imperative that Executives take decisions in the long-term interest of shareholders, focused on value creation across the 
commodity price cycles of the oil and gas industry. Our view is that RTSR is the best measure of long-term value creation across the 
commodity price cycle of our industry.

One-third of the Performance Rights are tested against a comparator group that comprises the entities within the ASX 50 index at  
1 December 2020. The remaining two-thirds are tested against an international group of oil and gas companies, set out in Table 12  
on page 77.

RTSR outcomes are calculated by an external adviser on or after the fifth anniversary of the allocation of the Performance Rights.  
The outcome of the test is measured against the schedule below. For EIS awards, any Performance Rights that do not vest will lapse  
and are not retested.

Woodside RTSR percentile position within peer group

Vesting of Performance Rights

Less than 50th percentile

Equal to 50th percentile

No vesting

50% vest

Vesting between the 50th and 75th percentile

Vesting on a pro-rata basis

Equal to or greater than 75th percentile

100% vest

CEO target remuneration

Senior Executive target remuneration

FIXED REWARD

33%

VARIABLE REWARD

67%

FIXED REWARD

38%

VARIABLE REWARD

62%

66 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Corporate Scorecard measures and outcomes for 2020
The Board assesses Executive performance annually against a balanced scorecard of corporate measures in conjunction with individual 
KPIs that aim to drive business performance and create shareholder value.

The 2020 Corporate Scorecard for Executive KMP is based on four equally weighted measures that have been chosen because they 
impact short- and long-term shareholder value, with a score of 5 for an outcome at target and a maximum score of 10 on each measure.

Financial (25%)

TARGET

MAX

OUTCOME

0

Net profit after tax performance is closely aligned with short-term shareholder value creation. NPAT is underpinned by efficient operational performance, and outcomes 
are exposed to the upside and downside of oil price and foreign exchange fluctuations, as are returns to shareholders. This measure focuses management on driving 
exceptional operational performance, with the Board ensuring that short-term results are not achieved at the expense of longer-term performance.

2020 Performance:

NPAT result was ($4,028) million, significantly below target due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, lower oil and gas prices and asset impairments.

Production (25%)

TARGET

MAX

OUTCOME

5

Revenue is maximised and value generated from Woodside's assets when they are fully utilised in production. Production must be carefully managed 
throughout the year to optimise value from the assets. The production target is set relative to the company’s annual budget and market guidance and is  
not revised through the year.

2020 Performance:

2020 production was 100.3 MMboe representing Woodside’s highest-ever annual production, exceeding the 100 MMboe internal target. Production performance 
matched market guidance of 97-103 MMboe, while managing COVID-19 operational risks throughout the year.

Material Sustainability Issues (25%) 

TARGET

MAX

OUTCOME

6

The Board considers performance across material sustainability issues including personal and process safety, environment, energy efficiency, and our 
social licence to operate. Strong performance in this area creates and protects value in four ways; it reduces the likelihood of major accident events and 
catastrophic losses; it maintains Woodside’s licence to operate which enables the development of its growth portfolio; it reflects efficient, optimised and 
controlled business processes that generate value; and it supports the company’s position as a partner of choice.

2020 Performance:

We achieved best-ever personal safety performance with a TRIR of 0.88, exceeding our internal target of 1.1. There was one Tier 1 and two Tier 2 loss of 
primary containment process safety events. Energy efficiency of 8% better than baseline against a target of 5%. The 2016-2020 Reconciliation Action 
Plan (RAP) was delivered with Indigenous Australian representation increasing to 3.9%. Social impact management plans have been embedded and are 
supporting social performance in the communities were we operate.

Delivery against Business Priorities (25%)

TARGET

MAX

OUTCOME

3

In 2020, we focused on four key business priorities supporting delivery of long-term shareholder value: safe and reliable base business; advancing our Burrup 
Hub developments; commercialising our international assets; and maturing future opportunities.

2020 Performance:
Base business

•  Continued to deliver high reliability and competitive unit production costs.

•  Completed the KGP turnaround ahead of schedule which resulted in production upside.

•  Successfully drilled the Pyxis Hub and completed Julimar wells, both under budget.

Burrup Hub

•  The Scarborough Offshore Project Proposal was approved in Q1 2020 and production licence offers granted.

•  Deferred Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 FID, now targeting H2 2021; value improvement opportunities including increasing offshore processing capacity  

by approximately 20% to 8.0 Mtpa of LNG.

•  FID taken for the Pluto-KGP Interconnector in Q4 2020, following the execution of the NWS gas processing agreements. 

•  Submitted Browse production licence applications for Calliance and Torosa fields and a retention lease renewal application for Brecknock. 

International Assets

•  Approved FID on Phase 1 of the Sangomar Field Development; execution has progressed through COVID-19 and the focus has been on reducing spend  

and preserving value.

•  Completed the acquisition of Capricorn Senegal Limited’s entire participating interest in the Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep 

Offshore (RSSD) Joint Venture.

Future Opportunities

•  Commenced implementation of the plan to deliver 34 million carbon offsets over 25 years.

•  Planted 3.6 million native trees as part of our agreement with Greening Australia.

OVERALL CORPORATE SCORECARD OUTCOME

TARGET

MAX

OUTCOME

3.5

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 67

Executive KMP KPIs and outcomes for 2020

CEO KPIs and outcomes

FAR
In December 2020, Woodside conducted a review of the CEO’s remuneration and concluded that no change would be made to the CEO’s FAR. 

VAR
For 2020, the individual performance of the CEO was reviewed by the Board against five equally weighted measures. These metrics, 
outlined in Table 4a, were chosen because successful performance in each area is a key driver of superior shareholder returns.  
The same metrics were cascaded to the Senior Executives to measure individual performance.

In determining the 2020 CEO VAR, the Board has taken into account the significant challenges experienced by Woodside in 2020 and 
the performance outcomes achieved. As a result, the Board has exercised its discretion and will reduce the award to 50% of target  
(33.3% of maximum opportunity) satisfied by Performance Rights only, subject to a three-year deferral period with an RTSR test hurdle. 

The 2020 award for the CEO is detailed in Table 6 on page 72. Information on the individual performance of the CEO is shown in 
Tables 4a and 4b below.

Table 4a – CEO performance measures and EIS Outcomes

Growth agenda (20%)

Objective
Assesses the alignment of growth 
opportunities to shareholder return; portfolio 
balance; the achievement of challenging 
business objectives.

Effective execution (20%)

Objective
Assesses the maintenance, operation and 
profitability of existing assets; project 
delivery to achieve budget, schedule 
and stated performance; cost reduction; 
achievement of health, safety and 
community expectations.

Enterprise capability (20%)

Objective
Assesses leadership development; workforce 
planning; executive succession; Indigenous 
participation and diversity; effective risk 
identification and management.

Culture and reputation (20%)

Objective
Assesses performance culture and emphasis 
on values; engagement and enablement; 
improved employee climate; Woodside’s 
brand as a partner of choice.

Shareholder focus (20%)

Objective
Assesses whether decisions are made with a 
long-term shareholder return focus; efficient 
and timely communication to shareholders, 
market analysts and fund managers; the 
focus on shareholder return throughout  
the organisation.

2020 outcomes
FID taken for Sangomar and completion of a binding sale and purchase agreement for Capricorn Senegal Limited’s 
participating interest; progress on the growth agenda included NWS Agreement Extension Bill passed; execution of 
agreements to enable tolling for NWS; Domgas recycle line commissioned; three well exploration drilling campaign in 
Myanmar approved. Swift refocus of business priorities due to COVID-19 and external market uncertainty with a strong focus 
on cash preservation and protection of margins. Despite delay in Scarborough FID opportunities were taken to focus on 
project optimisation to deliver value improvement via increased production capacity. Growth strategy adapted to the external 
macroeconomic environment and shareholder expectations.

2020 outcomes
Achieved record production of 100.3 MMboe while managing COVID-19 risks; best-ever personal safety performance with 
a TRIR of 0.88; exceeded a 5% energy efficiency improvement target. Delivered KGP turnaround ahead of time and budget 
despite significant challenges from COVID-19. Implemented rapid expenditure reduction that decreased forecast 2020 spend 
by approximatively 50%. Successfully transitioned to working from home in Q1 2020 and all frontline operations moved to 
COVID-19 operating models to protect the health and wellbeing of staff and operations. 

2020 outcomes
Female representation increased to 32.1%, well above industry average of 23.1% and female representation in Senior Executive 
Team (KMP) increasing to 50%; directly employed Indigenous Australian workforce increased to 3.9%. Strong progress in the 
internal capability identification and talent development for CEO/Executive Committee successors. Continued to grow our 
talent pipeline with our Graduate Development Program (51.9% female representation). Principles approved for a Corporate 
Risk Appetite Statement. Established a dedicated cyber capability to manage increasingly sophisticated cyber risks.

2020 outcomes
Continued to drive an inclusive culture through delivery of Woodside's RAP 2016-2020 and 2018-2020 Inclusion and Gender 
Diversity Strategy. Demonstrated visible leadership through a challenging year, linking culture and values to business drivers, 
through events such as the virtual employee forum (Perth and Karratha) and Woodside Awards. Creation of Project Agility 
which focused on increasing employee enablement. Continued to champion the Woodside brand, leading discussions 
virtually and in-person on Woodside’s response to the challenges facing the industry. COVID-19 Community Fund was 
established to provide direct support to the communities where Woodside is active. Proactive engagement with Traditional 
Owners and Custodian groups in Karratha and Roebourne on cultural heritage management on the Burrup Pennisula.

2020 outcomes
Maintained a strong balance sheet and ensured business resilience through COVID-19 and depressed oil pricing, preserving 
the ability to fund long-term growth projects. Conducted virtual updates to shareholders, market analysts and fund 
managers throughout the year.

EIS earned as percentage of maximum

33.3%

EIS earned

•  $0 to be allocated in cash

•  $0 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (3-year vesting period) 

•  $0 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (5-year vesting period) 

•  $2,133,567 to be allocated in Performance Rights (3-year vesting period)

68 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

CEO actual remuneration

FIXED REWARD

50%

VARIABLE REWARD

50%

Table 4b – CEO Take Home Pay Table (non-IFRS information)

The following table details the CEO’s take home pay. This table has been included to provide greater transparency to shareholders of 
the take home pay received or receivable by the CEO in 2019 and 2020. This includes fixed annual rewards, EIS cash awards earned 
in respect of performance for the year and the value of shares and rights which vested during the year calculated using the five-day 
VWAP leading up to but not including the vesting, forfeiture or lapsing date. Amounts are shown in AUD (the currency in which the 
remuneration is paid), whereas Table 11 on page 77 is expressed in USD which is Woodside’s reporting currency.

Take home pay differs from statutory remuneration reported in Table 11 that is prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 
(Cth) and Accounting Standards which require share-based payments to be reported as remuneration from the time of grant, even 
though actual value may ultimately not be realised from these share-based payments.

Name

Peter Coleman

Year

2020

2019

FAR1

2,701,000

2,701,000

EIS  
Cash2

Restricted Shares 
vested3

RTSR tested 
VPRs vested3

Equity Rights 
vested3

Total 
remuneration 
received

Previous years' 
awards forfeited 
or lapsed3

-

-

1,522,420

3,419,998

1,835,255

3,257,668

-

-

6,058,675

1,248,406

9,378,666

1,988,412

1.  Represents the total fixed annual rewards earned in 2020 and 2019. This is calculated on the same basis as amounts disclosed in Table 11.
2.  Represents the cash incentive earned in the respective year, which is actually paid in the following year. This is calculated on the same basis as amounts disclosed in Table 11.
3.  The value of Restricted Shares, Variable Pay Rights and Equity Rights is calculated using the five-day VWAP leading up to but not including the vesting, forfeiture or lapsing date.

2020 Vesting1

P Coleman

2016 deferred short-term award vested on 27 February 2020

2015 long-term award had a partial vesting of 38.3% on 19 February 2020 

2014 long-term award had a partial vesting of 13.3% on 13 March 2020 

1.  Awards that vested in 2020 relate to prior schemes as outlined on pages 78-79. 

Shares

48,225

59,518

22,480

Senior Executive KPIs and outcomes
FAR 
In January 2020, Woodside conducted a review of Executive KMP remuneration based on benchmarking data against a defined peer 
group alongside the consideration of executive performance and role accountabilities. An increase to FAR was applied to Meg O’Neill and 
Sherry Duhe to ensure market competitiveness was maintained. Fiona Hick received an increase to FAR on formal appointment to KMP.

VAR 
For 2020, the individual performance of each Executive KMP was evaluated against the same performance measures as the CEO, as 
described in Table 4a on page 68, with individual KPIs set relevant to each Senior Executive's area of responsibility. These metrics aim at 
aligning individual performance with the achievement of Woodside’s corporate strategy while fostering collaboration between Executives.

The Board approved EIS awards to Executive KMP based on the Corporate Scorecard result and their individual performance assessment, 
resulting in an IPF between 0 and 1.6. The Board recognises the significant achievements in 2020, resulting in record production and best-
ever safety performance, while keeping our people and contractors safe from COVID-19. However, the significant decline in oil and gas 
prices has resulted in a substantial negative impact on our financial outcomes and delayed major growth projects. The Board has therefore 
exercised its discretion with respect to the 2020 EIS award and reduced the award by 30%. 

The award will be allocated as outlined below:

•  No cash award.1 

•  30% will be allocated in Restricted Shares, subject to a three-year deferral period.

•  30% will be allocated in Restricted Shares, subject to a five-year deferral period.

•  40% will be allocated in Performance Rights which are subject to a RTSR test five years after the date of grant; with one-third 

tested against a comparator group that comprises the ASX 50 and the remaining two-thirds against a group of international oil 
and gas companies determined by the Board.

Information on the individual performance of each Executive KMP is shown in Tables 5a and 5b on pages 70 and 71. Details of the EIS 
award for each Senior Executive are set out in Table 6 on page 72.

1.  Except in the case of terminated Executives in line with the Equity Award Rules.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 69

Table 5a – Senior Executive Individual Performance for 2020 EIS

Sherry Duhe – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

SCORECARD MEASURE

PERFORMANCE

Strong funding and financial  
risk management

Excellent leadership focused on cash preservation to reduce forecast 2020 total expenditure by approximately 
50%. Maintained a strong cash position to fund base business and ensure optionality for value accretive inorganic 
opportunities.

OUTCOME

Above target

Optimal commercial support  
for growth projects

Finalised multiple commercial agreements for Sangomar FID, Pluto-KGP Interconnector and the processing of other 
resource owner (ORO) gas at NWS Project.

Target met

Drive strong contract 
performance

Delivered over $40 million in cost savings through effective contract management and the implementation of low-
cost enhancements to our digital contract platform.

Target met

EIS earned as % of maximum % 

56.2%

Reduced EIS earned as % of 
maximum %

EIS earned

39.4% (post Board discretion to reduce award by 30%)

•  $0 to be allocated in cash
•  $225,387 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (3-year vesting period)
•  $225,387 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (5-year vesting period)
•  $310,849 to be allocated in Performance Rights (5-year vesting period)

Shaun Gregory – Executive Vice President Sustainability and Chief Technology Officer
SCORECARD MEASURE

PERFORMANCE

Deliver exploration value

Prioritised opportunities close to infrastructure with a path to commercialisation including a three-well exploration 
drilling campaign planned for early 2021 in Myanmar. Divested low value licenses. Improved imaging at reservoir 
level in Sangomar and NWS.

Progress new energy 
opportunity

Progressed three new energy opportunities to 'concept select phase'.

Implement carbon abatement 
strategy

Continued to build a diverse carbon offset portfolio: Completed Phase 1 of Greening Australia and Woodside Native 
Reforestation Project; progressed to Phase 2 in WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ 
Carbon for Conservation program for carbon offsets; and built a dedicated carbon capture and storage team.

OUTCOME

Below target

Above target 

Target met

Deliver strong technology 
performance

Technology platforms enabled seamless remote work during COVID-19; FUSE digital twin platform achieved four 
successful use cases; and continued to develop key technology and market development partnerships.

Target met

EIS earned as % of maximum %

53.1%

Reduced EIS earned as % of 
maximum %

EIS earned

37.2% (post Board discretion to reduce award by 30%)

•  $0 to be allocated in cash
•  $177,107 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (3-year vesting period)
•  $177,107 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (5-year vesting period)
•  $244,243 to be allocated in Performance Rights (5-year vesting period)

  Fiona Hick – Senior Vice President Operations 
SCORECARD MEASURE

PERFORMANCE

Deliver strong production 
performance

Delivered best-ever annual production of 100.3 MMboe despite impact of COVID-19 and significant weather events 
such as Tropical Cyclone Damien.

Drive strong operations health, 
safety and environment 
performance

Achieved record lowest TRIR of 0.88, exceeding target of 1.1. Delivered energy efficiency better than target. 
Maintained health and safety of our workforce during COVID-19, including strong health controls to manage 
COVID-19 risk. Zero cases of COVID-19 on our operational facilities in 2020.

Execute turnarounds within 
schedule and budget

Delivered significant maintenance scope across 2020, despite challenges from COVID-19. KGP turnaround 
completed ahead of schedule and under budget, resulting in production upside. 

Drive operations transformation

Launched Operations Transformation program to significantly reduce cost structure of base business, including 
piloting remote operations of our Pluto and NWS Gas facilities and improvements to areas of major maintenance 
spend at Pluto LNG Plant. 

EIS earned as % of maximum % 

59.4%

Reduced EIS earned as % of 
maximum %

EIS earned

41.6% (post Board discretion to reduce award by 30%)

•  $0 to be allocated in cash
•  $146,255 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (3-year vesting period)
•  $146,255 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (5-year vesting period)
•  $201,700 to be allocated in Performance Rights (5-year vesting period)

OUTCOME

Target met

Above target

Above target

Target met

70 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Meg O’Neill – Executive Vice President Development and Marketing
SCORECARD MEASURE

PERFORMANCE

Develop the growth portfolio 
through disciplined cost and 
schedule and portfolio cost 
competitiveness

Achieved FID for Sangomar, Lambert Deep/Greater Western Flank Phase 3 and Pluto-KGP Interconnector, 
Sangomar subsea and FPSO work on plan with drilling preparations on track for 2021, advanced Scarborough 
project despite decision to delay FID with technical work executed to deliver value improvement, Browse FEED 
entry progressed and focussed on environmental approvals and production license applications. Record TRIR of  
0.71 for Developments Division.

OUTCOME

Target met

Execute strong marketing, 
trading and shipping 
performance

Delivered marketing optimisation initiatives resulting in over $41.3 million value added and strong pipeline gas sales 
contributed to Woodside’s record production.

Above target

Drive strong drilling and 
completions performance

Successfully drilled and completed the Pyxis and Pluto North wells, Julimar-Brunello Phase 2 drilling campaign 
completed ahead of schedule and exploration drilling campaign in Myanmar on track for early 2021.

Above target

EIS earned as % of maximum % 

59.4%

Reduced EIS earned as % of 
maximum %

EIS earned

41.6% (post Board discretion to reduce award by 30%)

•  $0 to be allocated in cash
•  $309,344 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (3-year vesting period)
•  $309,344 to be allocated in Restricted Shares (5-year vesting period)
•  $426,616 to be allocated in Performance Rights (5-year vesting period)

Senior Executive actual remuneration1

FIXED REWARD

49%

VARIABLE REWARD

51%

1.  This represents an average of all Senior Executives’ actual and variable remuneration for 2020.

Table 5b – Senior Executive Take Home Pay Table (non-IFRS information)

The following table details Senior Executives’ take home pay. This table has been included to provide greater transparency to 
shareholders of the take home pay received or receivable by Senior Executives in 2019 and 2020. This includes fixed annual rewards, 
EIS cash awards earned in respect of performance for the year and the value of shares and rights which vested during the year 
calculated using the five-day VWAP leading up to but not including the vesting, forfeiture or lapsing date. Termination benefits are 
not included in the table below; these amounts are disclosed in Table 11 on page 77. Amounts are shown in AUD (the currency in 
which the remuneration is paid), whereas Table 11 is expressed in USD which is Woodside’s reporting currency.

Take home pay differs from statutory remuneration reported in Table 11 that is prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 
(Cth) and Accounting Standards which require share-based payments to be reported as remuneration from the time of grant, even 
though actual value may ultimately not be realised from these share-based payments.

Name

S Duhe

S Gregory

F Hick

M O’Neill

M Abbott4

R Matisons4

Year

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020
2019
2020

2019

2020

2019

FAR1

1,091,798

982,251

821,739

804,865

568,396

-

1,471,330

1,417,099

600,722

599,034

677,112

674,358

EIS  
Cash2

Restricted Shares 
vested3

RTSR tested 
VPRs vested3

Equity Rights 
vested3

Total 
remuneration 
received

Previous years' 
awards forfeited 
or lapsed3

-

185,250

-

158,340

-

-

-

235,560

299,880

116,025

337,680

130,650

-

-

222,183

221,217

65,632

-

-

2,108,637

168,547

170,342

176,250

197,131

-

-

123,659

219,488

19,651

-

-

-

103,202

140,072

127,262

224,761

346,775

-

31,658

-

31,658

-

-

-

21,039

-

21,039

-

1,438,573

1,167,501

1,199,239

1,403,910

685,337

-

1,471,330

3,761,296

1,193,390

1,025,473

1,339,343

1,226,900

-

-

84,155

126,692

-

-

-

-

53,716

85,550

86,192

131,391

1.  Represents the total fixed annual rewards earned in 2020 and 2019. This may differ from amounts disclosed in Table 11 which reflects pro-rated amounts for the period that 

Executives were in KMP roles.

2.  Represents the cash incentive earned in the respective year, which is actually paid in the following year. This is calculated on the same basis as amounts disclosed in Table 11.
3.  The value of Restricted Shares, Variable Pay Rights and Equity Rights is calculated using the five-day VWAP leading up to but not including the vesting, forfeiture or lapsing date.
4.  Mr M Abbott's and Mr R Matisons' 2020 EIS Awards were allocated in Performance Rights and cash in lieu of Restricted Shares.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 71

 
2020 vestings1

2016 deferred short-term award vested on 27 February 2020

2015 long-term award had a partial vesting of 38.3% on 19 February 2020 

2014 long-term award had a partial vesting of 13.3% on 13 March 2020 

2017 Woodside Equity Plan vested on 1 October 2020

2017 Supplementary Woodside Equity Plan vested on 1 December 2020

1.  Amounts that vested in 2020 relate to prior schemes as outlined on pages 78-79.

Table 6 – Valuation summary of CEO and Senior Executive EIS for 2020 and 2019

Name

P Coleman

S Duhe

S Gregory

F Hick4

M O'Neill

M Abbott5

R Matisons6

Year

20202

20193

20202

20193

20202

20193

20202

20193

20202

20193

20202

20193

20202

20193

Restricted  
Shares
3-year vesting 
period
$

Restricted  
Shares 
5-year vesting 
period  
$

-

1,469,046

225,387

284,175

177,107

242,881

146,255

-

309,344

361,351

-

177,970

-

200,409

-

1,101,779

225,387

310,005

177,107

264,983

146,255

-

309,344

394,204

-

194,156

-

218,639

Cash1

-

-

-

129,609

-

110,782

-

-

-

164,808

230,473

81,176

259,524

91,408

Senior Executives

Shares

S Gregory

F Hick

M Abbott

R Matisons

S Gregory

F Hick

M Abbott

R Matisons

S Gregory

M Abbott

R Matisons

S Gregory

F Hick

M Abbott

R Matisons

S Duhe

Performance 
Rights 
3-year vesting 
period  
$

2,133,567

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Performance 
Rights 
5-year vesting 
period  
$

-

762,770

310,849

214,619

244,243

183,450

201,700

-

426,616

272,910

157,911

134,415

177,817

151,365

7,038

2,079

5,339

5,583

4,010

878

3,645

4,134

1,515

966

1,552

1,747

1,747

1,161

1,161

15,153

Total EIS $

2,133,567

3,333,595

761,623

938,408

598,457

802,096

494,210

-

1,045,304

1,193,273

388,384

587,717

437,341

661,821

1.  Represents the cash incentive earned in the respective year, which is actually paid in the following year. Amounts were translated to USD using the closing spot rate on  

31 December. The 2019 cash incentive was paid on 15 March 2020.

2.  The number of Restricted Shares and Performance Rights allocated for 2020 was calculated by dividing the amount of the Executive's entitlement allocated to Restricted 

Shares by the face value of Woodside shares. The USD fair value of Restricted Shares and Performance Rights at their date of grant has been estimated by reference to the 
closing share price at 31 December 2020 and preliminary modelling respectively. Grant date has been determined to be the date of the Board of Directors' approval, being  
17 February 2021 and any differences between the estimated fair value at 31 December 2020 and the final fair value will be trued-up in the following 2021 financial year.  
The fair value is not related to or indicative of the benefit (if any) that an individual Executive may ultimately realise should these equity instruments vest.

3.  The number of Restricted Shares and Performance Rights allocated for 2019 was calculated post year-end by dividing the amount of the Executive’s entitlement allocated to 

Performance Rights by the face value of Woodside’s shares. The USD fair value shown above was estimated at 31 December 2019 with reference to the closing share price and 
preliminary modelling. Grant date has been determined to be the date of the Board of Directors' approval, being 12 February 2020 and the final fair value was calculated at 
this date and was trued-up in the 2020 financial year. The amount above is not related to or indicative of the benefit (if any) that an individual Executive may ultimately realise 
should these equity instruments vest.

4.  Ms F Hick commenced as an Executive KMP on 1 July 2020. Ms Hick did not meet the definition of a KMP under AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures prior to this date.  

Previous year comparative figures are not shown.

5.  Mr M Abbott ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020. Mr Abbott's 2020 EIS Award was allocated in Performance Rights and cash in lieu of Restricted Shares. 
6.  Mr R Matisons ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020. Mr Matisons' 2020 EIS Award was allocated in Performance Rights and cash in lieu of Restricted Shares.

72 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Other equity plans
Woodside has a history of providing employees with the opportunity to participate in ownership of shares in the company  
and using equity to support a competitive base remuneration position, including the legacy Executive Incentive Plan.

Details of prior year allocations are provided in Table 13 on pages 78-79. The terms applying to prior year grants are described  
in past Woodside Annual Reports.

Executive Incentive Plan (EIP)

The EIP operated as Woodside’s Executive incentive framework until the end of 2017, after which the Board introduced the EIS.  
The EIP was used to deliver short-term award (STA) and long-term award (LTA) to Senior Executives.

Eligible Executives could only receive an STA award if their individual annual performance was assessed as acceptable. Participants 
were then divided into “Pool Groups”, with the size of the pool determined by each participant’s target STA, and then adjusted based 
on the Corporate Scorecard result.

STA made up 30-33% of total target remuneration for Senior Executives with no individual maximum STA opportunity because the 
size of the STA pool varied from year to year depending on performance and other factors. LTA was granted in the form of Variable 
Pay Rights (VPRs) making up 20-22% of total target remuneration for Senior Executives.

The LTA award was divided into two portions with each portion subject to a separate RTSR performance hurdle tested over a four-
year period. One-third of the LTA is tested against a comparator group that comprises the entities within the ASX 50 index. The 
remaining two-thirds is tested against an international group of oil and gas companies.

RTSR outcomes are calculated by an external adviser on the fourth anniversary of the allocation. For plans awarded from 2017 
onwards, any VPRs that do not vest will lapse and are not retested. Plans awarded prior to 2017 are allowed for a retest in the 
following year. VPRs that do not vest following the re-test will lapse.

Table 7 illustrates how EIP awards for Senior Executives were allocated, as well as their lifecycle in future years.

Table 7 – Overview of EIP

Performance Year

Performance year
Executives must have been employed for at least part of 
the performance year and achieve at least an acceptable 
level of performance in their individual performance 
assessments to be eligible for an EIP award.

R
A
V

Year 1 

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Eligible executives receive a 
VAR under the EIP
VAR for a performance year was 
calculated as a percentage of 
FAR, which was determined by 
the Board taking into account 
relevant data on levels of 
variable reward being offered  
in the market.

60% STA
Adjusted in accordance with the 
STA pooling and performance 
assessment process. Two-thirds 
of the STA was paid as cash 
while the other third was 
awarded as Restricted Shares.

40% LTA
Awarded as VPRs.

Restricted  
Shares
Subject to a  
three-year 
deferral period.

VPRs
Subject to RTSR performance 
over a four-year period up to the 
vesting date with no retest.

Executives are entitled to receive dividends on Restricted Shares. There is no entitlement to dividends on VPRs. Details of 
prior year allocations are provided in Table 13 on pages 78-79.

CEO STA and LTA

The CEO’s incentive arrangements are governed by his contract of employment. Prior to 2018, the CEO’s STA award was determined 
by multiplying the CEO’s FAR by the Corporate Scorecard result and the CEO’s individual performance factor as determined by the 
Board. Two-thirds of the award was paid in cash with the remaining third delivered as a deferred equity award of Restricted Shares, 
subject to an overall cap of two times FAR.

For 2017, the LTA opportunity was set at 133% of the CEO’s FAR. The entitlement was allocated at face value and in the form of VPRs 
and divided into two portions with each subject to a separate RTSR performance hurdle tested over a four year period with no retest. 
One-third of the LTA will be tested against a comparator group that comprises the entities within the ASX 50 index. The remaining 
two-thirds will be tested against an international group of oil and gas companies.

Details of prior year allocations are provided in Table 13 on pages 78-79.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 73

Woodside Equity Plan (WEP)

The WEP is available to all permanent employees except EIS participants. The purpose of the WEP is to enable eligible employees  
to build up a holding of equity in the company as they progress through their career at Woodside.

The number of Equity Rights (ERs) offered to each eligible employee is determined by the Board, and based on individual 
performance as assessed under the performance review process. There are no further ongoing performance conditions.  
The linking of performance to an allocation allows Woodside to recognise and reward eligible employees for high performance.

Each ER entitles the participant to receive a Woodside share on the vesting date three or five years after the effective grant date.

For offers prior to 2019, each ER entitled the participant to receive a Woodside share on the vesting date three years after the 
effective grant date. For the 2019 and 2020 awards, the Board amended the terms of the Plan to allow for 75% vesting of the ERs 
three years after the effective grant date and the remaining 25% of ERs five years after the effective grant date.

Supplementary Woodside Equity Plan (SWEP)

In October 2011, the Board approved a remuneration strategy which includes the use of equity to support a competitive base 
remuneration position. To this end, the Board approved the establishment of the SWEP to enable the offering of targeted retention 
awards of ERs for key capability. The SWEP was designed to be offered to a small number of employees identified as being retention 
critical. The SWEP awards have service conditions and no performance conditions. Each ER entitles the participant to receive a 
Woodside share on the vesting date three years after the effective grant date.

There were no allocations under the SWEP in 2020. Table 13 on pages 78-79 includes a summary of Senior Executives' interests in ERs.

ERs under both the WEP and the SWEP may vest prior to the vesting date on a change of control or on a pro-rata basis, at the 
discretion of the CEO, limited to the following circumstances; redundancy, retirement (after six months’ participation), death, 
termination due to illness or incapacity or total and permanent disablement of a participating employee. An employee whose 
employment is terminated by resignation or for cause prior to the vesting date will forfeit all of their ERs.

Other equity awards

In February 2018, the Board approved the Equity Award rules which apply to EIS and discretionary executive allocations. This allows the 
Board and CEO to award discretionary allocations of Restricted Shares or Performance Rights.

An award of 133,366 Restricted Shares was made to Ms Meg O’Neill upon commencement of employment with Woodside on 1 May 2018 
to recognise certain rights that were forfeited with her prior employer. The first tranche of 59,270 Restricted Shares (representing 44.44% 
of the award) vested in full on 1 May 2019. The remaining Restricted Shares will vest in two equal tranches on each of 1 May 2021 and  
1 May 2023, subject to Ms O’Neill not resigning or being terminated for cause prior to the vesting date. No further vesting conditions  
were attached. Further details are set out in Table 13 on pages 78-79.

Contracts for Executive KMP
Each Executive KMP has a contract of employment. Table 8 below contains a summary of the key contractual provisions of the 
contracts of employment for the Executive KMP.

Table 8 – Summary of contractual provisions for Executive KMP

P Coleman

S Duhe

S Gregory

F Hick

M O’Neill

Employing company

Contract duration

Termination notice  
period company1, 2

Termination notice  
period executive

Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Woodside Energy Ltd

Woodside Energy Ltd

Woodside Energy Ltd

Woodside Energy Ltd

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

12 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

1. 

 Woodside may choose to terminate the contract immediately by making a payment in lieu of notice equal to the fixed remuneration the Executive KMP would have received 
during the ‘Company Notice Period’. In the event of termination for serious misconduct or other nominated circumstances, Executive KMP are not entitled to this termination 
payment. Any payments made in the event of a termination of an executive contract will be consistent with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

2.   On termination of employment, Executive KMP will be entitled to the payment of any fixed remuneration calculated up to the termination date, any leave entitlement accrued at 
the termination date and any payment or award permitted under the EIS and Equity Award Rules. Executive KMP are restrained from certain activities for specified periods after 
termination of their employment in order to protect Woodside’s interests.

74 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Non-executive directors (NEDs)

Remuneration Policy

Woodside’s Remuneration Policy for NEDs aims to attract, retain, motivate and to remunerate fairly and responsibly having regard to:

•  the level of fees paid to NEDs relative to other major Australian companies

•  the size and complexity of Woodside’s operations

•  the responsibilities and work requirements of Board members.

Fees paid to NEDs are recommended by the HRCC based on benchmarking from external remuneration consultants, and determined 
by the Board, subject to an aggregate limit of A$4.25 million per financial year, which was approved by shareholders at the 2019 
AGM. There was no increase to the Board or committee fees in 2020.

The minimum shareholding requirements for NEDs was reviewed in 2018. NEDs are required to have acquired shares for a total 
purchase price of at least 100% of their pre-tax annual fee after five years on the Board. The NEDs may utilise the Non-executive 
Directors’ Share Plan (NEDSP) to acquire the shares on market at market value. As the shares are acquired with net fees the shares  
in the NEDSP are not subject to any forfeiture conditions.

NEDs remuneration structure

NEDs remuneration consists of base Board fees and committee fees, plus statutory superannuation contributions or payments in lieu 
(currently 9.5%). Other payments may be made for additional services outside the scope of Board and Committee duties. NEDs do 
not earn retirement benefits other than superannuation and are not entitled to any form of performance-linked remuneration in order 
to preserve their independence.

Table 9 below shows the annual base Board and committee fees for NEDs.

In addition to these fees, NEDs are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred 
attending meetings of the Board, committees or shareholders, or while engaged on Woodside business. NEDs are not entitled to 
compensation on termination of their directorships.

Effective 1 January 2019 an allowance is paid to any NED required to travel internationally to attend Board commitments, 
compensating for factors related to long-haul travel. Where travel is between six and ten hours, an allowance of A$5,000 gross  
per trip is paid. Where travel exceeds 10 hours, an allowance of A$10,000 gross per trip is paid.

Board fees are not paid to the CEO, as the time spent on Board work and the responsibilities of Board membership are considered  
in determining the remuneration package provided as part of the normal employment conditions.

The total remuneration paid to, or in respect of, each NED in 2020 is set out in Table 14 on page 80.

Table 9 – Annual base Board and committee fees for NEDs

Position

Chairman of the Board2

Non-executive directors3

Committee chair

Committee member

Board1
A$

723,3004

219,1784

Audit & Risk 
Committee
A$

Human Resources 
& Compensation 
Committee
A$

Sustainability  
Committee
A$

Nominations & 
Governance  
Committee
A$

59,3604

31,9644

52,0005

26,5005

47,4004

23,7004

Nil

Nil

1.  NEDs receive Board and committee fees plus statutory superannuation (or payments in lieu where statutory superannuation is not required to be paid).
2.  Inclusive of committee work.
3.  Board fees paid to NEDs other than the Chairman.
4.  Annual fee from 1 July 2019.
5.  Annual fee from 1 July 2018.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 75

Human Resources & Compensation Committee
The Committee assists the Board to determine appropriate remuneration policies and structures for NEDs and Executives.  
Further information on the role of the Committee is described in section 3.4 of the Corporate Governance Statement, available  
on Woodside’s website.

Use of remuneration consultants
The Committee directly engages independent external advisers to provide input to the process of reviewing the remuneration for 
NEDs and Executives. The Committee may receive executive remuneration advice directly from external independent remuneration 
consultants. Table 10 below shows the fees payable to independent external remuneration consultants during 2020.

Under communications and engagement protocols adopted by the company, the market data reports were provided directly to the 
Committee Chair, and the consultants provided a statement to the Committee that the reports had been prepared free of undue 
influence from Executive KMP. The Committee had full oversight of the review process and therefore it, and the Board, were satisfied 
that the work undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers was free from undue influence by Executive KMP.

Table 10 – Fees paid to remuneration consultants 

Remuneration consultant

Services provided

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Remuneration benchmarking for the 2020 NED fee review

Remuneration benchmarking for the 2020 CEO remuneration review

Fees

A$15,000 (ex GST)

A$25,500 (ex GST)

PricewaterhouseCoopers provided other services to Woodside including provision of taxation advice and general financial  
and business consulting which resulted in a total of A$2,200,413 paid by Woodside.

Reporting notes

Reporting in United States dollars

In this report, the remuneration and benefits reported have been presented in US dollars, unless otherwise stated. This is consistent 
with the functional and presentation currency of the company.

Compensation for Australian-based employees and all KMP is paid in Australian dollars and, for reporting purposes, converted to 
US dollars based on the applicable exchange rate at the date of payment. Valuation of equity awards is converted at the spot rate 
applying when the equity award is granted.

76 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Statutory tables

Table 11 - Compensation of CEO and Senior Executives for the year ended 31 December 2020 and 2019

Fixed Annual Reward

Variable Annual 
Reward

Short-term

Post

Cash

Benefits
and  
allowances 
(including
non-
monetary)1

Company 
contributions 
to 
superannuation

Salaries, 
fees and 
allowances

$

$

$

Cash2

$

Share-
based 
payments

Share 
plans3

Long 
service 
leave

Termination 
benefits

Total  
remuneration4

Performance 
related5

$

$

$

$

A$

P Coleman  
Chief Executive 
Officer and Managing 
Director6

S Duhe 
Executive Vice 
President and Chief 
Financial Officer7

S Gregory  
Executive Vice 
President Sustainability 
and Chief Technology 
Officer

F Hick 
Senior Vice President 
Operations8

M O'Neill 
Executive Vice 
President Development 
and Marketing7

M Abbott 
Senior Vice President 
Corporate and 
Legal9,10,11

R Matisons 
Executive Vice 
President Marketing 
Trading and 
Shipping9,10,12

2020

1,843,422

38,301

14,686

- 4,022,663 

75,827

- 5,994,899

8,714,358

2019

1,863,173

35,805

14,436

2020

751,084

42,220

2019

682,815

59,566

-

-

-

-

3,158,361

102,493

597,006

31,213

129,609

462,033

30,716

2020

550,615

20,381

14,687

-

485,293

24,010

2019

545,069

19,892

14,436

110,782

451,928

70,370

2020

205,773

9,006

9,030

2019

-

-

2020

1,012,177

56,808

2019

985,101

61,356

-

-

-

-

-

-

150,268

123,965

-

-

1,066,937

40,928

164,808

1,360,584

30,764

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,174,268

7,443,346

1,421,523

2,066,367

1,364,739

1,962,023

1,094,986

1,591,702

1,212,477

1,743,162

498,042

689,440

-

-

2,176,850

3,164,334

2,602,613

3,742,420

2020

382,022

10,011

15,898 230,473

420,389

133,944

87,781

1,280,518

1,885,088

2019

399,737

21,666

16,684

81,176

365,771

25,425

-

910,459

1,308,973

2020

439,016

17,643

9,504 259,524

459,097

85,698

302,306

1,572,788

2,320,258

2019

453,994

38,313

14,788

91,408

393,203

(20,270)

-

971,436

1,396,598

%

67

61

42

43

44

46

30

-

49

59

51

49

46

50

 Reflects the value of allowances and non-monetary benefits (including relocation, travel, car parking and any associated fringe benefit tax).

1. 
2.  The amount represents the cash incentive earned in the respective year, which is actually paid in the following year. Amounts were translated to USD using the closing spot rate on 

31 December.

3.  ‘Share plans’ incorporate all equity based plans. In accordance with the requirements of AASB 2 Share-based Payment, the fair value of rights as at their date of grant has been 

determined by applying the Black-Scholes option pricing technique or applying the binomial valuation method combined with a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of rights is 
amortised over the vesting period from the commencement of the service period, such that ‘total remuneration’ includes a portion of the fair value of unvested equity compensation 
during the year. The portion of the expense relating to the 2020 EIS has been measured using estimated fair values as disclosed in footnote 2 in Table 6. The amount included as 
remuneration is not related to or indicative of the benefit (if any) that individual Executives may ultimately realise should these equity instruments vest.

4.  The total remuneration in AUD is converted from USD using the average exchange rate for the period. This non-IFRS information is included for the purposes of showing the total 

annual cost of benefits to the company in Australian dollars for the service period.

5.  Performance related outcome percentage is calculated as total Variable Annual Reward divided by the total USD remuneration figure.
6.  In accordance with the requirements of AASB 2 Share-based Payment, Mr P Coleman's 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 share-based payment amortisation expenses have accelerated based 
on the announcement of his intention to retire in the second half of 2021. This is not reflective of any value received by Mr Coleman as the awards have not vested at 31 December 2020 
and are subject to vesting conditions.

7.  As non-residents for Australian tax purposes Ms S Duhe and Ms M O’Neill have elected to receive a cash payment in lieu of all superannuation contributions, in accordance with the 
Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. The cash payment is subject to (PAYG) income tax and paid as part of their normal monthly salary. The amount is included in 
salaries, fees and allowances.

8.  Ms F Hick commenced as an Executive KMP on 1 July 2020. Ms Hick did not meet the definition of a KMP under AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures for years prior to 2020.  

Previous year comparatives figures are not shown. 

9.  Mr M Abbott and Mr R Matisons ceased being Executive KMPs on 31 July 2020. In accordance with the requirements of AASB 2 Share-based Payment, their 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 

share-based payment amortisation expenses have accelerated based on their contract end dates of 31 December 2020. Vesting details of these awards are disclosed in Table 13 on page 79. 

10. Mr M Abbott's and Mr R Matisons' 2020 EIS Awards were allocated in Performance Rights and cash in lieu of Restricted Shares.
11.  Mr M Abbott's total remuneration includes $156,134 of salaries, fees and allowances received for the period of 1 August 2020 to 31 December 2020 while he was on gardening leave.
12. Mr R Matisons' total remuneration includes $177,470 of salaries, fees and allowances received for the period of 1 August 2020 to 31 December 2020 while he was on gardening leave. 

Table 12 - Peer group of international oil and gas companies

Apache Corporation
ConocoPhillips
Hess Corporation
Inpex Corporation 

Kosmos Energy
Marathon Oil Company
Murphy Oil Corporation
Oil Search Limited

Origin Energy Limited
Santos Ltd
Tullow Oil plc

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 77

Table 13 – Summary of CEO and Senior Executives’ allocated, vested or lapsed equity

Name

Type of equity1

Grant date

Allocation date

Vesting date2,3

Awarded 
but not 
vested

Vested  
in 2020

% of total 
vested

Lapsed  
in 2020

Fair value  
of equity4,5,6

P Coleman

Restricted Shares

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2020

-

48,225

100

Restricted Shares

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2021

37,8227

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2014

20 February 2015

13 March 2020

61,660

67,266

61,083

45,812

-

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2015

19 February 2016

19 February 2020

95,8847

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2021

106,0677

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2022

104,7977

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

67,266

45,812

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2024

118,007

S Duhe

Restricted Shares

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2021

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2024

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2022

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2016

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

SWEP Equity Rights

1 December 2017

-

1 December 2020

S Gregory

Restricted Shares

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2020

Restricted Shares

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2021

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2024

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2014

20 February 2015

13 March 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2015

19 February 2016

19 February 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2021

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2022

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

WEP Equity Rights

1 October 2017

-

1 October 2020

F Hick8

Restricted Shares

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2020

4397

14,604

15,931

11,816

12,890

12,894

12,894

868

15,931

12,890

17,193

4,8317

12,430

13,560

10,099

11,018

10,132

10,132

-

6,4627

7,1487

7,1507

13,560

11,018

13,509

Restricted Shares

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2021

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2024

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2015

19 February 2016

19 February 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2021

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2022

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

2,0747

6,807

7,426

5,501

6,002

8,367

8,367

1,4187

4,7797

4,9447

7,426

6,602

11,156

-

-

15,1537

7,038

100

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

22,480

59,518

13.3

38.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,515

4,010

13.3

38.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

100

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

878

38.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,7477

2,079

WEP Equity Rights

1 October 2017

-

1 October 2020

-

1,7477

100

78 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

-

-

-

-

-

-

 55,778 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,760

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

20.88

22.49

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.45

17.39

12.05

12.06

16.87

15.81

18.08

22.49

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.48

17.48

12.06

16.87

15.81

18.08

21.26

20.88

22.49

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.48

17.48

17.45

17.39

12.05

12.06

16.87

15.81

18.08

20.33

20.88

22.49

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.48

17.48

17.39

12.05

12.06

16.87

15.81

18.08

20.33

Vested  
in 2020

% of total 
vested

Lapsed  
in 2020

Fair value  
of equity4,5,6

Name

M O'Neill

Type of equity1

Grant date

Allocation date

Vesting date2,3

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2024

Restricted Shares

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

Restricted Shares

1 May 2018

Restricted Shares

1 May 2018

1 May 2018

1 May 2018

1 May 2021

1 May 2023

Awarded 
but not 
vested

14,097

15,379

15,025

16,391

17,697

17,697

15,379

16,391

23,596

37,048

37,048

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

M Abbott9

Restricted Shares

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2020

-

5,339

100

Restricted Shares

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2021

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2014

20 February 2015

13 March 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2015

19 February 2016

19 February 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2021

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2022

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2016

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

WEP Equity Rights

1 October 2017

-

1 October 2020

R Matisons10

Restricted Shares

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2020

Restricted Shares

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2021

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2022

Restricted Shares

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2023

Restricted Shares

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2014

20 February 2015

13 March 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2015

19 February 2016

19 February 2020

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2016

27 February 2017

27 February 2021

RTSR Tested VPRs

1 January 2017

20 February 2018

20 February 2022

Performance Rights

13 February 2019

19 February 2019

19 February 2024

Performance Rights

12 February 2020

18 February 2020

18 February 2025

Performance Rights

17 February 2021

24 February 2021

24 February 2026

4,721

10,145

11,068

7,400

8,073

-

5,8767

7,0177

6,9877

11,068

8,073

8,734

-

-

3,7127

10,948

11,943

8,333

9,091

-

6,6637

7,3687

7,3277

11,943

9,091

9,835

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

966

3,645

13.3

38.3

-

-

-

-

-

1,1617

5,583

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

100

100

-

-

-

-

-

1,552

4,134

13.3

38.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

WEP Equity Rights

1 October 2017

-

1 October 2020

-

1,1617

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,400

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,851

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.48

17.48

16.87

15.81

18.08

24.45

24.45

20.88

22.49

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.45

17.39

12.05

12.06

16.87

15.81

18.08

20.33

20.88

22.49

24.71

24.71

22.76

22.76

17.45

17.39

12.05

12.06

16.87

15.81

18.08

20.33

1.  For valuation purposes all VPRs and equity rights are treated as if they will be equity settled.
2.  Vesting date and exercise date are the same. Vesting is subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions. Full details of the vesting conditions for all prior year equity grants to 

Executive KMP are included in the remuneration report for the relevant year. The minimum total value of the grants for future financial years is nil if relevant vesting conditions are 
not satisfied. An estimate of the maximum possible total value in future financial years is the fair value at grant date multiplied by the number of equity instruments awarded.

3.  Any RTSR-tested VPRs allocated prior to 2017 that do not vest as a result of the first test will be re-tested over a five year performance period. RTSR-tested VPRs allocated in 2017 

and performance rights will not be re-tested. The second test date for earlier VPR allocations is one year after the vesting date listed in the table.

4.  In accordance with the requirements of AASB 2 Share-based Payment, the fair value of VPRs as at their date of grant has been determined by applying the Black-Scholes option 

pricing technique or binomial valuation method combined with a Monte Carlo simulation. The amount included as remuneration is not related to or indicative of  
the benefit (if any) that individual Executives may ultimately realise should these equity instruments vest. 

5.  The fair value of Rights and Restricted Shares as at their date of grant has been determined by reference to the share price at acquisition. The fair value is not related to  

or indicative of the benefit (if any) that individual Executives may ultimately realise should these equity instruments vest.

6.  Fair values for the 2019 EIS with a grant date of 12 February 2020 have been estimated as disclosed in footnotes 2 and 3 of Table 6. Fair values for the 2020 EIS with a grant date  

of 17 February 2021 have been estimated as disclosed in footnote 2 of Table 6.

7.  The RTSR-tested VPRs allocated for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 performance years and the 2017 WEP allocations have been updated to include any adjustments made as part  

of the Retail Entitlement Offer.

8.  Ms F Hick commenced as an Executive KMP on 1 July 2020. 
9.  Mr M Abbott ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020. Mr Abbott's Restricted Shares will vest in full from his contract end date of 31 December 2020, while his VPRs and 

Performance Rights remain on foot and will vest in the ordinary course subject to the satisfaction of applicable conditions. The vesting of Mr Abbott’s Restricted Shares is subject 
to his maximum termination cap.

10. Mr R Matisons ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020. Mr Matisons' Restricted Shares will vest in full from his contract end date of 31 December 2020, while his VPRs and 
Performance Rights remain on foot and will vest in the ordinary course subject to the satisfaction of applicable conditions. The vesting of Mr Matison’s Restricted Shares is subject 
to his maximum termination cap.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 79

Table 14 - Total remuneration paid to NEDs in 2020 and 2019

The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the components of remuneration for each of the company’s NEDs.

Non-executive director

R Goyder

L Archibald

F Cooper

S C Goh

C Haynes

I Macfarlane

A Pickard

S Ryan

G Tilbrook

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Short-term

Post employment

Cash salary and fees

Pension/Superannuation

Salaries, fees 
$

Company contributions  
to superannuation  
$

 530,166 

 543,915 

 213,914 

 243,256 

 209,846 

 216,241 

 204,468 

 - 

 213,914 

 250,868 

 195,695 

 195,759 

 227,651 

 258,683 

 189,073 

 195,005 

 208,542 

 208,721 

 14,687 

 14,269 

 - 

 - 

 19,935 

 19,820 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 7,224 

 14,436 

 - 

 - 

 17,962 

 17,802 

 19,811 

 18,829 

Total  
$

 544,853 

 558,184 

 213,914 

 243,256 

 229,781 

 236,061 

 204,468 

 - 

 213,914 

 250,868 

 202,919 

 210,195 

 227,651 

 258,683 

 207,035 

 212,807 

 228,353 

 227,550 

80 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Table 15 - KMP share and equity holdings

Details of shares held by KMP including their personally related entities1 for the 2020 financial year are as follows:

Name

Type of 
equity1

Opening  
holding at  
1 January 2020²

Non-executives directors

R Goyder

L Archibald

F Cooper

S C Goh

C Haynes

I Macfarlane

A Pickard

S Ryan

G Tilbrook

Executives

Shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

P Coleman

Equity Rights

Shares

S Duhe

Equity Rights

Shares

S Gregory

Equity Rights

Shares

F Hick5

Equity Rights

Shares

M O'Neill

Equity Rights

Shares

M Abbott6

Equity Rights

Shares

R Matisons7

Equity Rights

Shares

 23,634 

 4,403 

 9,571 

 - 

 10,811 

 3,835 

 6,060 

 8,532 

 7,949 

 511,790 

 656,092 

 31,952 

 30,974 

 45,352 

 45,877 

 - 

 - 

 15,379 

 162,842 

 39,120 

 38,202 

 43,999 

 55,833 

NEDSP³

 - 

 3,846 

 1,970 

 5,089 

 1,923 

 4,006 

 4,136 

 1,715 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Rights 
allocated  
in 2020

Rights 
vested  
in 2020

Restricted 
Shares  
granted

Net  
changes - 
other

Closing  
holding at  
31 December 20204

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 45,812 

 - 

 12,890 

 - 

 11,018 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 16,391 

 - 

 8,073 

 - 

 9,091 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(81,998)

 81,998 

(15,153)

15,153

(7,272)

 7,272 

(1,747)

 1,747 

 - 

 - 

(4,611)

 4,611 

(5,686)

 5,686 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(55,778)

 106,895 

(314,000)

 - 

 24,706 

 - 

 21,117 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 31,416 

 - 

 - 

(3,760)

(7,038)

26,316

27,810

 - 

 - 

 - 

(42,582)

 15,473 

(58,286)

 - 

(47,404)

 17,424 

(78,943)

 23,634 

 8,249 

 11,541 

 5,089 

 12,734 

 7,841 

 10,196 

 10,247 

 7,949 

 419,826 

 530,985 

 29,689 

 70,833 

 45,338 

 67,228 

 24,569 

 29,557 

 31,770 

 194,258 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

1.  Personally related entities include a KMP’s spouse, dependants or entities over which they have direct control or significant influence.
2.  Opening holding represents amounts carried forward in respect of KMP.
3.  Related to participation in the Non-executive Directors’ Share Plan (NEDSP).
4.  Closing equity rights holdings represents unvested options and rights held at the end of the reporting period. There are no options and rights vested but unexercised  

as at 31 December 2020.

5.  Ms F Hick commenced as an Executive KMP on 1 July 2020. Ms Hick did not meet the definition of a KMP under AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures prior to this date.
6.  Mr M Abbott ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020.
7.  Mr R Matisons ceased being an Executive KMP on 31 July 2020.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Remuneration Report 81

Glossary

Key terms used in the Remuneration Report

Term

Meaning

Committee

The Human Resources & Compensation Committee

Corporate Scorecard

A corporate scorecard of key measures that aligns with Woodside’s overall business performance

EIP

EIS

The Executive Incentive Plan

The Executive Incentive Scheme

Equity Award Rules

The rules which govern offers of incentive securities to eligible employees

ER

Equity right. ERs are awarded under the WEP and SWEP and each one entitles participants to receive a fully paid share in Woodside on the  
vesting date (or a cash equivalent in the case of international assignees). No amount is payable by the participants on the grant or vesting of an ER

Executive

A senior employee whom the Board has determined to be eligible to participate in the EIS

Executive Director

Peter Coleman

Executive KMP

The Executive Director and Senior Executives listed in Table 1a on page 62

FAR

KMP

KPI

LTA

MSR

NED

Fixed Annual Reward

Key management personnel

Key performance indicator

Long-term award

Minimum shareholding requirements

Non-executive director

NEDSP

The Non-executive Director Share Plan

Performance Rights

Each Performance Right is a right to receive a fully paid ordinary share in Woodside (or, at the Board’s discretion, as cash equivalent).  
No amount is payable by the Executive on the grant or vesting of a Performance Right

Restricted Shares

Woodside ordinary shares that are awarded to Executives as the deferred component of their STA or as a part of their VAR under the EIS.  
No amount is payable by the Executive on the grant or vesting of a Restricted Share

Retail Entitlement Offer

The pro rata renounceable offer made to Eligible Retail Shareholders to subscribe for 1 new share for every 9 existing shares on 19 February 2018

RTSR

Relative total shareholder return

Senior Executive

A Senior Executive listed as KMP in Table 1a on page 62, excluding the Executive Director

STA

SWEP

VAR

VPR

WEP

Short-term award

The Supplementary Woodside Equity Plan

Variable Annual Reward

Variable Pay Right. Each VPR is a right to receive a fully paid ordinary share in Woodside (or, at the Board’s discretion, as cash equivalent).  
No amount is payable by the Executive on the grant or vesting of a VPR

The Woodside Equity Plan

82 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

S
T
N
E
M
E
T
A
T
S
L
A
I
C
N
A
N
I
F

CONTENTS

Financial statements

Consolidated income statement 

Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement  
of financial position 

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity 

Notes to the financial statements

About these statements 

A.  Earnings for the year 

A.1  Segment revenue and expenses 

A.2  Finance costs 

A.3  Dividends paid and proposed 

A.4  Earnings/(losses) per share 

A.5  Taxes 

B.  Production and growth assets 

B.1  Segment production and growth assets 

B.2  Exploration and evaluation 

84

85

86

87

88

89

91

92

94

94

94

95

97

98

99

B.3  Oil and gas properties 

100

C.  Debt and capital 

C.1  Cash and cash equivalents 

C.2 

 Interest-bearing liabilities  
and financing facilities 

C.3  Contributed equity 

C.4  Other reserves 

D.  Other assets and liabilities 

D.1  Segment assets and liabilities 

D.2  Receivables 

D.3 

Inventories 

D.4  Payables 

D.5  Provisions 

D.6  Other financial assets and liabilities 

D.7  Leases 

E.  Other items 

E.1  Contingent liabilities and assets 

E.2  Employee benefits 

E.3  Related party transactions 

E.4  Auditor remuneration 

E.5 

 Events after the end  
of the reporting period 

E.6  Joint arrangements 

E.7  Parent entity information 

B.4 

  Impairment of exploration and evaluation  
and oil and gas properties 

101

E.8  Subsidiaries 

B.5 

 Significant production  
and growth asset acquisitions 

E.9  Other accounting policies 

104

Directors' declaration 

Independent audit report 

105

106

106

108

108

109

110

110

110

111

111

112

113

115

116

116

118

118

118

118

119

120

122

123

124

Significant changes in the current reporting period
The financial performance and position of the Group were particularly affected by the following events and transactions 
during the reporting period:

•  In January 2020, the Group took unconditional FID on Sangomar Field Development Phase 1. Exploration and evaluation 

assets were transferred to oil and gas properties (refer to Notes B.2 and B.3).

•  In January 2020, the Group completed a $600 million syndicated facility with a term of seven years (refer to Note C.2).

•  In August 2020, the Group exercised its right to pre-empt the sale of Capricorn Senegal Limited's interest in the Rufisque 
Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep Offshore (RSSD) Joint Venture. The transaction was completed on  
22 December 2020. In December 2020, the Group also exercised its right to pre-empt the sale of FAR Senegal RSSD SA's 
interest in the RSSD Joint Venture (refer to Note B.5).

•  The COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020. The outbreak 

and the response of Governments in dealing with the pandemic has affected general activity levels within the global 
community, economy and business operations. The COVID-19 crisis and a decline in oil prices have impacted and will 
continue to impact the Group’s earnings, cash flow and financial position. The financial statements have been prepared 
based on assumptions and conditions prevalent as at 31 December 2020. Given ongoing economic uncertainty, these 
assumptions could change in the future. Key impacts in the reporting period are:

•  The decline in forecast prices, weaker demand and ongoing uncertainties, resulted in impairment losses (pre-tax)  

of $5,269 million (refer to Note B.4) and recognition of an onerous contract provision of $447 million (refer to Note D.5);

•  The decline in long-term government bond rates increased restoration liabilities by $173 million (refer to Note D.5); and

•  The Group hedged a percentage of its exposure to commodity price risk through several commodity swaps  

and call option derivative financial instruments (refer to Note D.6).

 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Operating revenue 
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other income 
Other expenses

Profit/(loss) before tax and net finance costs
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit/(loss) before tax
Petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) benefit
Income tax benefit/(expense)

Profit/(loss) after tax

Profit/(loss) attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Profit/(loss) for the period
Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share attributable to equity holders of the parent (US cents)

The accompanying notes form part of the Financial Statements.

Notes

A.1
A.1

A.1
A.1

A.2

A.5
A.5

E.8

A.4

2020
US$m

3,600 
(2,985)

615 
31 
(5,817)

(5,171)
58 
(327)

(5,440)
439 
1,026 

(3,975)

(4,028)
53 

(3,975)
(423.5)

2019
US$m

4,873 
(2,727)

2,146 
100 
(1,155)

1,091 
91 
(320)

862 
31 
(511)

382 

343 
39 

382 
36.7 

84 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Profit/(loss) for the period

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Items that may be reclassified to the income statement in subsequent periods:
Gains/(losses) on hedges

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement in subsequent periods:
Remeasurement gains on defined benefit plan

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period, net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

The accompanying notes form part of the Financial Statements.

2020
US$m

(3,975)

(59)

2 

(57)

(4,032)

(4,085)
53 

(4,032)

2019
US$m

382 

2 

2 

4 

386 

347 
39 

386 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 85

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 December 2020

Notes

C.1
D.2
D.3
D.6

D.2
D.3
D.6

B.2
B.3

A.5
D.7

D.4
C.2
D.6

D.5
A.5
D.7

C.2
A.5
D.6

D.5
D.7

C.3
C.3
C.4

E.8

2020
US$m

3,604 
303 
125 
172 
48 

4,252 

423 
40 
54 
55 
2,045 
15,267 
199 
1,304 
984 

20,371 

24,623 

505 
776 
37 
136 
500 
46 
94 

2019
US$m

4,058 
343 
176 
28 
42 

4,647 

245 
-
35 
21 
3,809 
18,298 
177 
1,173 
948 

24,706 

29,353 

581 
77 
12 
34 
272 
86 
69 

2,094 

1,131 

5,438 
549 
34 
42 
2,407 
1,184 

9,654 

11,748 

12,875 

9,297 
(23)
1,403 
1,398 

5,602 
2,193 
15 
46 
1,856 
1,101 

10,813 

11,944 

17,409 

9,010 
(39)
992 
6,654 

12,075 

16,617 

800 

792 

12,875 

17,409 

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Other financial assets
Other assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets
Receivables
Inventories
Other financial assets 
Other assets
Exploration and evaluation assets
Oil and gas properties
Other plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets
Lease assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Payables
Interest-bearing liabilities 
Other financial liabilities 
Other liabilities
Provisions 
Tax payable
Lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities
Other financial liabilities 
Other liabilities
Provisions
Lease liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity 
Issued and fully paid shares
Shares reserved for employee share plans
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interest

Total equity 

The accompanying notes form part of the Financial Statements.

86 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit/(loss) after tax for the period
Adjustments for:
Non-cash items

Depreciation and amortisation 
Depreciation of lease assets
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments
Net finance costs
Tax (benefit)/expense
Exploration and evaluation written off
Impairment losses
Restoration
Onerous contract provision
Other

Changes in assets and liabilities

Decrease in trade and other receivables
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
Increase in provisions
Increase in lease liabilities
Increase in other assets and liabilities
Decrease in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations
Purchases of shares and payments relating to employee share plans
Interest received
Dividends received
Borrowing costs relating to operating activities
Income tax paid 
Payments for restoration 

Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows used in investing activities
Payments for capital and exploration expenditure
Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets held for sale
Borrowing costs relating to investing activities
Advances to other external entities
Payments for acquisition of joint arrangements

Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows (used in)/from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Borrowing costs relating to financing activities
Repayment of lease liabilities
Borrowing costs relating to lease liabilities
Contributions to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid (outside of DRP)
Dividends paid (net of DRP)
Net proceeds from share issuance

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash held
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
Effects of exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

The accompanying notes form part of the Financial Statements.

Notes

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

(3,975)

382 

1,730 
94 
31 
269 
(1,465)
2 
5,269 
28 
347 
(12)

41 
51 
155 
40 
(137)
(121)
2,347 
(32)
64 
4 
(180)
(331)
(23)

1,849 

(1,418)
-
(57)
(110)
(527)

(2,112)

600 
(83)
(21)
(71)
(86)
(111)
-
(454)
23 

(203)

(466)
4,058 
12 

3,604 

1,617 
86 
(1)
229 
480 
46 
737 
77 
-
39 

118 
(21)
33 
-
(48)
(11)
3,763 
(66)
85 
5 
(157)
(313)
(12)

3,305 

(1,213)
12 
(37)
-
-

(1,238)

1,700 
(84)
(30)
(41)
(89)
(77)
(852)
(210)
-

317 

2,384 
1,674 
-

4,058 

B.5

C.2
C.2

C.1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 87

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2020

d
i
a
p
y
l
l

u
f
d
n
a
d
e
u
s
s
I

s
e
r
a
h
s

s
n
a
l
p
e
r
a
h
s
e
e
y
o
p
m
e

l

r
o
f
d
e
v
r
e
s
e
r

s
e
r
a
h
S

s
t
fi
e
n
e
b
e
e
y
o
p
m
E

l

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

e
v
r
e
s
e
r
n
o
i
t
a
l
s
n
a
r
t

y
c
n
e
r
r
u
c
n
g
i
e
r
o
F

s
t
fi
o
r
p
e
l
b
a
t
u
b
i
r
t
s
i
D

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

e
v
r
e
s
e
r
g
n
g
d
e
H

i

e
h
t

l

f
o
s
r
e
d
o
h
y
t
i
u
q
E

t
n
e
r
a
p

i

s
g
n
n
r
a
e
d
e
n
i
a
t
e
R

C.3
US$m

C.3
US$m

C.4
US$m

C.4
US$m

C.4
US$m

C.4
US$m

US$m

US$m

9,010 
-
-
-
-
264 
23 
-
-
-
-
9,297 

8,880 
-
-
-
130 
-
-
-
-
9,010 

(39)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(32)
48 
-
-
(23)

(31)
-
-
-
-
(66)
58 
-
-
(39)

211 
-
-
2 
2 
-
-
-
(48)
54 
-
219 

206 
-
2 
2 
-
-
(58)
61 
-
211 

793 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
793 

793 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
793 

(12)
-
-
(59)
(59)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(71)

(14)
-
2 
2 
-
-
-
-
-
(12)

-
710 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(248)
462 

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

6,654 
(710)
(4,028)
-
(4,028)
-
-
-
-
-
(518)
1,398 

7,500 
343 
-
343 
-
-
-
-
(1,189)
6,654 

16,617 
-
(4,028)
(57)
(4,085)
264 
23 
(32)
-
54 
(766)
12,075 

17,334 
343 
4 
347 
130 
(66)
-
61 
(1,189)
16,617 

g
n

i
l
l

o
r
t
n
o
c
-
n
o
N

t
s
e
r
e
t
n

i

E.8
US$m

792 
-
53 
-
53 
-
-
-
-
-
(45)
800 

833 
39 
-
39 
-
-
-
-
(80)
792 

y
t
i
u
q
e
l
a
t
o
T

US$m

17,409 
-
(3,975)
(57)
(4,032)
264 
23 
(32)
-
54 
(811)
12,875 

18,167 
382 
4 
386 
130 
(66)
-
61 
(1,269)
17,409 

Notes

At 1 January 2020
Transfers
Profit/(loss) for the period
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Shares issued
Employee share plan purchases
Employee share plan redemptions
Share-based payments (net of tax)
Dividends paid 
At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2019
Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income for the period
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Employee share plan purchases
Employee share plan redemptions
Share-based payments (net of tax)
Dividends paid 
At 31 December 2019

The accompanying notes form part of the Financial Statements.

88 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
About these statements

Woodside Petroleum Ltd (Woodside or the Group) is a for-
profit entity limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in 
Australia. Its shares are publicly traded on the Australian Securities 
Exchange. The nature of the operations and the principal activities 
of the Group are described in the Directors’ Report and in the 
segment information in Note A.1.

The financial statements were authorised for issue in accordance 
with a resolution of the directors on 18 February 2021.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements are general purpose financial statements, 
which have been prepared in accordance with the requirements 
of the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Accounting Standards 
(AASBs) and other authoritative pronouncements of the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board. The financial statements 
comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)  
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in  
the 2019 Financial Statements, except for the impact of all new 
or amended standards and interpretations adopted with effect 
from 1 January 2020. The adoption of these standards and 
interpretations did not result in any significant changes to the 
Group’s accounting policies, with the exception of AASB 2018-6 
Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards - Definition of a 
Business (refer to Note E.9(c)). 

The Group early adopted AASB 2019-3 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards - Interest Rate Benchmark Reform  
(AASB 2019-3) in the prior year, effective from 1 January 2019. 

Currency

The functional and presentation currency of Woodside Petroleum 
Ltd and all its subsidiaries is the US dollar.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the 
functional currency of the transacting entity at the exchange 
rates ruling at the date of transaction. Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting 
date are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at that date. 
Exchange differences in the consolidated financial statements 
are taken to the income statement.

Rounding of amounts

The amounts contained in these financial statements have been 
rounded to the nearest million dollars under the option available 
to the Group under Australian Securities and Investments 
Commission (ASIC) Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ 
Reports) Instrument 2016/191 dated 24 March 2016, unless 
otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost 
basis, except for derivative financial instruments and certain 
other financial assets and financial liabilities, which have been 
measured at fair value or amortised cost adjusted for changes 
in fair value attributable to the risks that are being hedged in 
effective hedge relationships. 

If the carrying value of financial assets and financial liabilities does 
not approximate their fair value, the fair value has been included in 
the notes to the financial statements.

The financial statements comprise the financial results of  
the Group as at 31 December each year (refer to Note E.8). 

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control 
is obtained by the Group and cease to be consolidated from the 
date at which the Group ceases to have control.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the 
same reporting period as the parent company, using consistent 
accounting policies. All intercompany balances and transactions, 
including unrealised profits and losses arising from intra-group 
transactions, have been eliminated in full.

The consolidated financial statements provide comparative 
information in respect of the previous period. Where required, a 
reclassification of items in the financial statements of the previous 
period has been made in accordance with the classification of 
items in the financial statements of the current period.

Non-controlling interests are allocated their share of the net profit 
after tax in the consolidated income statement and their share 
of other comprehensive income net of tax in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, and are presented within 
equity in the consolidated statement of financial position, 
separately from parent shareholders’ equity.

Financial and capital risk management 
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment 
and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework, including 
review and approval of the Group’s risk management strategy, policy 
and key risk parameters. The Board of Directors and the Audit and Risk 
Committee have oversight of the Group’s internal control system and risk 
management process, including oversight of the internal audit function.

The Group’s management of financial and capital risks is aimed at 
ensuring that available capital, funding and cash flows are sufficient to:

•  meet the Group’s financial commitments as and when they fall due;

•  maintain the capacity to fund its committed project developments;

•  pay a reasonable dividend; and

•  maintain a long-term credit rating of not less than ‘investment grade’.

The Group monitors and tests its forecast financial position against 
these criteria and, in general, will undertake hedging activity only when 
necessary to ensure that these objectives are achieved.

Other circumstances that may lead to hedging activities include 
the management of exposures relating to trading activities and the 
underpinning of the economics of a new project. It is, and has been 
throughout the period, the Group Treasury policy that no speculative 
trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken. Refer to the Risk 
section of Corporate on pages 38-41 for more information on the 
Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing financial risk.

The below risks arise in the normal course of the Group’s business.  
Risk information can be found in the following sections:

Section A
Section A
Section C
Section C
Section C
Section D

Commodity price risk
Foreign exchange risk
Capital risk
Liquidity risk
Interest rate risk
Credit risk

Page 91
Page 91
Page 105
Page 105
Page 105
Page 109

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 89

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 31 December 2020Key estimates and judgements
In applying the Group’s accounting policies, management continually 
evaluates judgements, estimates and assumptions based on experience 
and other factors, including expectations of future events that 
may have an impact on the Group. All judgements, estimates and 
assumptions made are believed to be reasonable based on the most 
current set of circumstances known to management, and actual results 
may differ. Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions made 
by management in the preparation of these financial statements are 
found in the following notes:

Note A.1
Note A.5
Note B.2
Note B.3
Note B.4

Note D.5
Note D.6
Note D.7
Note E.6

Revenue from contracts with customers
Taxes
Exploration and evaluation
Oil and gas properties
Impairment of exploration and evaluation 
and oil and gas properties
Provisions
Other financial assets and liabilities
Leases
Joint arrangements

Page 92
Page 96
Page 99
Page 100
Page 103 

Page 112
Page 113
Page 114
Page 118

90 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 31 December 2020NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR
for the year ended 31 December 2020

In this section

This section addresses financial performance of the Group for the reporting period including, where applicable, the accounting policies 
applied and the key estimates and judgements made. This section also includes the tax position of the Group for and at the end of the 
reporting period.

A.

A.1

A.2

A.3

A.4

A.5

Earnings for the year

Segment revenue and expenses

Finance costs

Dividends paid and proposed

Earnings/(losses) per share

Taxes

Page 92

Page 94

Page 94

Page 94 

Page 95

Key financial and capital risks in this section

Commodity price risk management 
The Group’s revenue is exposed to commodity price fluctuations. Commodity price risks are measured by monitoring and stress testing 
the Group’s forecast financial position to sustained periods of low oil and gas prices. This analysis is regularly performed on the Group’s 
portfolio and, as required, for discrete projects and acquisitions.

As at the reporting date, the Group had no financial instruments with material exposure to commodity price risk.

Foreign exchange risk management 
Foreign exchange risk arises from future commitments, financial assets and financial liabilities that are not denominated in US dollars.  
The majority of the Group’s revenue is denominated in US dollars. The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk arising from operating  
and capital expenditure incurred in currencies other than US dollars, particularly Australian dollars.

Measuring the exposure to foreign exchange risk is achieved by regularly monitoring and performing sensitivity analysis on the  
Group’s financial position.

A reasonably possible change in the exchange rate of the US dollar to the Australian dollar (+12%/-12% (2019: +12%/-12%)), with all other 
variables held constant, would not have a material impact on the Group’s equity or the profit or loss in the current period. Refer to Notes C1, 
C2, D2, D4 and D7 for details of the denominations of cash and cash equivalents, interest-bearing liabilities, receivables, payables  
and lease liabilities held at 31 December 2020.

In order to hedge the foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk (refer to Section C) of a Swiss Franc (CHF) denominated medium term 
note, Woodside holds a number of cross-currency interest rate swaps (refer to Note C.2 and D.6). The aim of this hedge is to convert the 
fixed interest CHF bond into variable interest US dollar debt.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 91

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR
for the year ended 31 December 2020

A.1  Segment revenue and expenses 

Operating segment information
The Group has identified its operating segments based on the 
internal reports that are reviewed and used by the executive 
management team in assessing performance and in determining 
the allocation of resources.

The operating segments are consistent with the 2019 Financial 
Statements. In the period, the following changes were made to 
information presented to the executive management team and 
2019 amounts have been restated:

•  Revenue from sale of hydrocarbons – the Group changed the 
presentation of LNG revenue to align with the marketing and 
sale of LNG on a portfolio basis. LNG revenue includes the sale 
of produced and purchased LNG and is measured for each 
segment at the average realised price of all LNG sold. The sale 
of purchased LNG was previously classified as trading revenue 
or other hydrocarbon revenue.

•  Shipping and other revenue – was previously classified  

as trading revenue.

Management monitors the performance of the operating results of 
the segments separately for the purpose of making decisions about 
resource allocation and performance assessment. The performance 
of operating segments is evaluated based on profit before tax and 
net finance costs and is measured in accordance with the Group’s 
accounting policies. 

Financing requirements, including cash and debt balances, finance 
income, finance costs and taxes are managed at a Group level.

Operating segments outlined below are identified by management 
based on the nature and geographical location of the business  
or venture.

Producing 
North West Shelf Project – Exploration, evaluation, development, 
production and sale of liquefied natural gas, pipeline natural gas, 
condensate and liquefied petroleum gas in assigned permit areas.

Pluto LNG – Exploration, evaluation, development, production and 
sale of liquefied natural gas, pipeline natural gas and condensate 
in assigned permit areas.

Australia Oil – Exploration, evaluation, development, production 
and sale of crude oil in assigned permit areas (North West Shelf, 
Greater Enfield and Vincent).

Wheatstone – Exploration, evaluation, development, production 
and sale of liquefied natural gas, pipeline natural gas and 
condensate in assigned permit areas.

Development 
Development segments – This segment comprises exploration, 
evaluation and development of liquefied natural gas, crude oil  
and condensate in the Browse, Scarborough, Kitimat, Sunrise  
and Sangomar projects. 

Other 
Other segments – This segment comprises trading and shipping 
activities and activities undertaken in other international locations.

Unallocated items – Unallocated items comprise primarily 
corporate non-segmental items of revenue and expenses  
and associated assets and liabilities not allocated to operating 
segments as they are not considered part of the core operations 
of any segment.

92 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Major customer information
The Group has two major customers which account for 15% and 
13% of the Group’s external revenue. The sales are generated by 
the Pluto and North West Shelf operating segments (2019: three 
customers; 16%, 15% and 11% generated by Pluto, North West Shelf 
and Wheatstone).

Geographic information

Revenue from external 
customers1

Non-current assets2

Oceania
Asia
Canada
Africa
Other

2020
US$m
286 
3,076 
-
-
238 

2019
US$m
202 
4,435 
2 
-
234 

2020
US$m
17,559 
229 
34 
1,244 
1 

2019
US$m
21,934 
199 
777 
621 
2 

23,533 
Consolidated
1.  Revenue is attributable to geographic region based on the location of the customer.
2.  Non-current assets exclude deferred tax of $1,304 million (2019: $1,173 million).

19,067 

3,600 

4,873 

Recognition and measurement 
Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue is recognised when or as the Group transfers control 
of products or provides services to a customer at the amount 
to which the Group expects to be entitled. If the consideration 
includes a variable component, the Group estimates the amount 
of the expected consideration receivable. Variable consideration 
is estimated throughout the contract and is constrained until it is 
highly probable a significant revenue reversal in the amount of 
cumulative revenue recognised will not occur.
•  Revenue from sale of hydrocarbons - Revenue from the sale of 

hydrocarbons is recognised at a point in time when control of the 
product is transferred to the customer, which is typically on delivery.
Revenue from take or pay contracts is recorded as unearned 
revenue until the product has been drawn by the customer 
(transfer of control), at which time it is recognised in earnings.

•  Other operating revenue - Revenue earned from LNG 

processing and other services is recognised over time as  
the services are rendered.

Expenses
•  Royalties and excise duty - Royalties and excise duty under 
existing regimes are considered to be production-based 
taxes and are therefore accrued on the basis of the Group’s 
entitlement to physical production.

•  Depreciation and amortisation - Refer to Note B.3 for details  

on depreciation and amortisation.

•  Impairment - Refer to Note B.4 for details on impairment.
•  Leases - Refer to Note D.7 for details on leases.
•  Employee benefits - Refer to Note E.2 for details. 

Key estimates and judgements

Revenue from contracts with customers 
Judgement is required to determine the point at which the customer obtains 
control of hydrocarbons. Factors including transfer of legal title, transfer of 
significant risks and rewards of ownership and the existence of a present right to 
payment for the hydrocarbons typically result in control transferring on delivery 
of hydrocarbons at port of loading or port of discharge.

The transaction price at the date control passes for sales made subject to 
provisional pricing periods in oil and condensate contracts is determined with 
reference to quoted commodity prices. 

Judgement is also used to determine if it is probable that a significant reversal 
will occur in relation to revenue recognised during open pricing periods in LNG 
contracts. The Group estimates variable consideration based on reasonably 
available information from contract negotiations and market indicators.

Progress of performance obligations for LNG processing services revenue 
recognised over time is measured using the output method which most 
accurately measures the progress towards satisfaction of the performance 
obligation of the services provided.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR
for the year ended 31 December 2020

A.1  Segment revenue and expenses (cont.)

Producing

Development

Other

North West 
Shelf

Consolidated
20191
2020
2020
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m

Australia Oil Wheatstone
20191
2020

Development
20191
2020

20191

20191

20191

20191

20191

Pluto

2020

2020

2020

2020

Other 
segments

Unallocated 
items

Liquefied natural gas2
Domestic gas
Condensate
Oil 
Liquefied petroleum gas
Revenue from sale 
of hydrocarbons
Processing and services 
revenue
Shipping and other revenue

Other revenue

Operating revenue from 
contracts with customers
Production costs
Royalties and excise
Insurance
Inventory movement

Costs of production
Land and buildings
Transferred exploration 
and evaluation 
Plant and equipment 
Marine vessels and carriers

Oil and gas properties 
depreciation and amortisation
Shipping and direct sales costs
Trading costs3
Other hydrocarbon costs
Movement in onerous 
contract provision4
Other cost of sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other income5
Exploration and evaluation 
expenditure
Amortisation
Write-offs

Exploration and evaluation
General, administrative 
and other costs
Depreciation of other plant 
and equipment
Depreciation of lease assets
Restoration movement
Impairment losses6
Other5

Other costs

Other expenses

722  1,102  1,320  1,753 
4 
188 
-
-

69 
271 
-
44 

44 
194 
-
16 

11 
114 
-
-

-
-
-
432 
-

-
-
-
360 
-

365 
18 
103 
-
-

572 
10 
127 
-
-

976  1,486  1,445  1,945 

432 

360 

486 

709 

-
-

-

-
-

-

142 
-

142 

119 
-

119 

-
-

-

976  1,486  1,587  2,064 
(225)
(118)
-
(79)
(13)
(7)
6 
(1)

(189)
-
(19)
(7)

(132)
(187)
(6)
(1)

(205)
(4)

(326)
(4)

(215)
(27)

(232)
(24)

(13)
(228)
(2)

(247)
(49)
(8)
-

(17)
(243)
(4)

(268)
(56)
(27)
-

(32)
(823)
-

(882)
(53)
(49)
-

(36)
(755)
-

(815)
(44)
(98)
(48)

432 
(107)
(3)
(3)
(21)

(134)
-

(32)
(251)
-

(283)
-
-
-

-
-

-

360 
(87)
(6)
(2)
23 

(72)
-

(22)
(148)
-

(170)
-
-
-

-
-

-

486 
(72)
-
(3)
(3)

(78)
(24)

(22)
(231)
-

(277)
(44)
(10)
(4)

-
-

-

709 
(62)
-
(1)
1 

(62)
(29)

(26)
(266)
-

(321)
(36)
(4)
(60)

-
(57)

-
(83)

-
(102)

-
(190)

-
-

-
-

-
(58)

-
(100)

(509)

(677) (1,199) (1,237)

(417)

(242)

(413)

(483)

467 

13 

809 

10 

388 

827 

3 

(1)
-
-

(1)

(1)

(4)
-
(4)

(8)

7 

-
-
3 

-
(26)
-
(17) (1,291)
3 

2 

(5) (1,315)

(13) (1,316)

(3)
-
-

(3)

(1)

-
-
(5)
(454)
(16)

(476)

(479)

15 

-

(1)
-
-

(1)

(1)

-
-
(62)
(674)
(12)

(749)

(750)

2 

(2)
-
-

(2)

-

-
(26)
-
-
(4)

(30)

(32)

226 

81 

(1)
-
-

(1)

118 

-

(3)
-
-

(3)

(8)

73 

12 

(3)
-
-

(3)

(1)

-
-
(80)
-
8 

-
-
-
(1,401)
(3)

-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-

-

-

-

(3)
-
-

(3)

112 
-
-
-
-

237 
-
-
-
-

112 

237 

-
7 

7 

119 
-
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
35 
(144)
-

(347)
(456)

-
15 

15 

252 
-
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
26 
(120)
-

-
(94)

(94)

(2)

(456)

(337)

158 

1 

-

(56)
(12)
(2)

(70)

(89)
(15)
(42)

(146)

-
2 
-
-
-

2 

-
-

-

2 
(2)
-
-
-

(2)
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-

-

2 

(4)
-
-

(4)

(1)

-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-

-

-
8 
-
1 
-

9 
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-

9 

9 

2 

-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-

-

-
3 
-
5 
-

8 
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-

2,519 
73 
411 
432 
16 

3,664 
85 
586 
360 
44 

3,451 

4,739 

142 
7 

149 

119 
15 

134 

3,600 
(478)
(82)
(31)
(32)

(623)
(55)

4,873 
(505)
(193)
(17)
29 

(686)
(57)

(99)

(101)
(1,533) (1,412)
(4)

(2)

(1,689) (1,574)
(110)
(249)
(108)

(111)
(211)
(4)

(347)
(673)

-
(467)

8  (2,985) (2,727)

8 

5 

-
-
-

-

615 

2,146 

31 

100 

(67)
(12)
(2)

(81)

(103)
(15)
(46)

(164)

-

(14)

-
-
-
-
24 

-
-
39 
(1,298)
(4)

(6)

3 

(166)

(81)

(190)

(80)

-
-
-
(720)
(5)

-
(34)
-
(151)
(1)

-
(31)
-
-
-

(28)

(29)
(34)
-
-
(93)

(28)
(29)
-
-
(8)

(29)
(94)
(28)
(5,269)
(126)

(28)
(86)
(77)
(737)
17 

(322)

(146) (5,736)

(991)

(80) (1,405)

24  (1,277)

(726)

(192)

(83) (1,408)

23  (1,280)

(730)

(262)

(174)

(322)

(146) (5,817) (1,155)

Profit/(loss) before tax and 
net finance costs
1.  2019 amounts have been restated for the application of reporting on a LNG portfolio basis as detailed in 'Operating segment information'.
2.  Includes an adjustment of $113 million related to price reviews currently under negotiation for multiple contracts across North West Shelf and Pluto, reducing revenue recognised 

(133) (5,171) 1,091 

330  (1,280)

35  (1,323)

(925)

(735)

(598)

(311)

(728)

806 

797 

(16)

1 

in the current and prior periods and increasing other liabilities.

3.  Trading costs includes trading intersegment adjustments which eliminate to nil in the Group’s consolidated results.
4.  Comprises new provisions recognised of $447 million, offset by changes in estimates of $54 million, provisions used of $41 million and a revision of discount rates of  

$5 million. Refer to Note D.5 for more details.

5.  Other comprises foreign exchange gains and losses, gains and losses on hedging activities, and other expenses not associated with the ongoing operations of the business.
6.  Impairment losses represent charges on exploration and evaluation of $1,557 million and oil and gas properties of $3,712 million. Refer to Note B.4 for further details.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 93

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR
for the year ended 31 December 2020

A.2  Finance costs

A.4  Earnings/(losses) per share

2020

2019

Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the 
parent (US$m)
Weighted average number of shares on issue
Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share 
(US cents)

(4,028)

343 
951,113,086  935,833,092 

(423.5)

36.7 

Earnings/(losses) per share is calculated by dividing the  
profit/(loss) for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders 
of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
on issue during the year. The weighted average number of shares 
makes allowance for shares reserved for employee share plans. 

Total awards of 9,392,203 (2019: 10,501,088) are considered to be 
contingently issuable and therefore not dilutive. 

There have been no significant transactions involving ordinary 
shares between the reporting date and the date of completion  
of these financial statements. 

Interest on interest-bearing liabilities
Interest on lease liabilities
Accretion charge
Other finance costs
Less: Finance costs capitalised against 
qualifying assets

2020

US$m

2019

US$m

237 
86 
32 
29 

(57)
327 

215 
89 
40 
17 

(41)
320 

A.3  Dividends paid and proposed

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, the parent entity, paid and proposed 
dividends set out below:

(a) Dividends paid during the financial year
Prior year fully franked final dividend 
US$0.55, paid on 20 March 2020 
(2019: US$0.91, paid on 20 March 2019)
Current year fully franked interim dividend 
US$0.26, paid on 18 September 2020 
(2019: US$0.36, paid on 20 September 2019)

(b) Dividend declared subsequent to the 
reporting period (not recorded as a liability)
Final dividend US$0.12 (2019: US$0.55)

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

518 

248 
766 

852 

337 
1,189 

115

518 

(c) Other information
Franking credits available for subsequent periods

Current year dividends per share (US cents)

1,823

38

1,565 

91 

The dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) was approved by the 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2003 for activation 
as required to fund future growth. The DRP was reactivated for the 
2019 interim dividend and remains in place until further notice.

94 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR
for the year ended 31 December 2020

A.5  Taxes

(a) Tax expense comprises
PRRT

Deferred tax benefit

PRRT benefit
Income tax
Current year

Current tax expense
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense

Adjustment to prior years
Current tax expense
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense

Income tax (benefit)/expense

Tax (benefit)/expense
(b) Reconciliation of income tax expense
Profit/(loss) before tax
PRRT benefit

Profit/(loss) before income tax
Income tax (benefit)/expense calculated at 30%
Foreign income tax benefit
Non-deductible items
Foreign expenditure not brought to account
Adjustment to prior years
Foreign exchange impact on tax expense/
(benefit)

Income tax (benefit)/expense
(c) Reconciliation of PRRT benefit
Profit/(loss) before tax
Non-PRRT assessable (profit)/loss

PRRT projects profit/(loss) before tax1
PRRT (benefit)/expense calculated at 40%
Augmentation
Derecognition of Pluto general expenditure1
Other

PRRT benefit
(d) Deferred tax income statement reconciliation
PRRT

Production and growth assets
Augmentation for current year
Provisions
Other

PRRT benefit
Income tax

Oil and gas properties
Exploration and evaluation assets
Provisions
PRRT liabilities
Lease assets and liabilities
Unused tax losses and tax credits
Other

Income tax deferred tax (benefit)/expense

Deferred tax (benefit)/expense
(e) Deferred tax balance sheet reconciliation
Deferred tax assets
PRRT

Production and growth assets
Augmentation for current year
Provisions
Other

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

(439)

(439)

275 
(1,308)

16 
(9)

(1,026)

(1,465)

(5,440)
439 

(5,001)
(1,500)
(11)
2 
473 
7 

3 

(1,026)

(5,440)
3,080 

(2,360)
(944)
(138)
627 
16 

(439)

(242)
(138)
(32)
(27)

(439)

(981)
(210)
(106)
134 
(16)
(149)
11 

(1,317)

(1,756)

1,098 
124 
46 
36 
1,304 

(31)

(31)

325 
184 

-
2 

511 

480 

862 
31 

893 
268 
-
-
242 
2 

(1)

511 

862 
(528)

334 
134 
(168)
-
3 

(31)

190 
(168)
(52)
(1)

(31)

94 
92 
(97)
6 
(23)
73 
23 

168 

137 

989 
145 
37 
2 
1,173 

(e) Deferred tax balance sheet 
reconciliation (cont.)
Deferred tax liabilities
PRRT

Production and growth assets
Augmentation for current year
Provisions
Other
Income tax

Oil and gas properties
Exploration and evaluation assets
Lease assets and liabilities
Provisions
PRRT liabilities
Unused tax losses and tax credits
Other2

(f) Tax payable reconciliation
Income tax payable

(g) Effective income tax rate: Australian 
and global operations
Effective income tax rate3

Australia
Global

(h) Current income tax expense reconciliation
Profit/(loss) before income tax
Income tax (benefit)/expense at the statutory tax 
rate of 30%
Foreign income tax benefit
Non-temporary differences4,5 
Temporary differences: deferred tax5
Foreign exchange impact on tax 
expense/(benefit)

224 
(14)
(214)
4 

846 
255 
(39)
(696)
391 
(149)
(59)
549 

46 
46 

29.6%
20.5%

(5,001)

(1,500)
(11)
475 
1,308 

3 

Current income tax expense
1.  A net $348 million reduction of the Pluto PRRT deferred tax asset includes 

275 

525 
(23)
(191)
(3)

1,827 
465 
(23)
(590)
257 
-
(51)
2,193 

86 
86 

29.3%
57.2%

893 

268 
-
242 
(184)

(1)

325 

derecognition of general expenditure of $627 million (based on expected future 
utilisation) offset by a reduction in the Pluto asset accounting base of $279 million 
(included within 'PRRT projects profit/(loss) before tax').

2.  $19 million tax benefit recognised in other comprehensive income (2019: Nil).
3.  The global operations effective income tax rate (ETR) is calculated as the 

Group’s income tax expense/(benefit) divided by profit/(loss) before income 
tax. The Australian operations ETR is calculated with reference to all Australian 
companies and excludes foreign exchange on settlement and revaluation of 
income tax liabilities. The global ETR is impacted by one-off items including  
the impairment of foreign assets and onerous contract provision.

4.  Primarily expenditure in respect of foreign operations, including the impairment  

of foreign assets and onerous contract provision.

5.  Excludes adjustment to prior years.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 95

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Key estimates and judgements 

(a) Income tax classification 
Judgement is required when determining whether a particular tax is 
an income tax or another type of tax. Accounting for deferred tax is 
applied to income taxes as described above, but is not applied  
to other types of taxes, e.g. North West Shelf royalties and excise.  
Such taxes are recognised in the income statement on an appropriate 
basis. PRRT is considered, for accounting purposes, to be an income tax.

(b)  Deferred tax asset recognition 
Australian tax losses: A deferred tax asset of $149 million (2019: nil) 
has been recognised for carry forward unused tax losses and credits. 
The Group has determined that it is probable that sufficient future 
taxable income will be available to utilise those losses and credits.

Foreign tax losses: Deferred tax assets of $477 million (2019: $471 million) 
relating to unused foreign tax losses have not been recognised on the 
basis that it is not probable that the assets will be utilised based on 
current planned activities in those regions.

PRRT: The recoverability of PRRT deferred tax assets is primarily 
assessed with regard to future oil price assumptions. As a result of the 
decrease in long-term oil prices (as disclosed in Note B.4), $348 million 
of the Pluto PRRT deferred tax asset (DTA) has been derecognised, 
being the portion for which it is no longer probable that future taxable 
profits will be in excess of the deductible expenditure including 
augmentation. The Pluto PRRT DTA of $1,053 million continues to  
be recognised on the basis that it is probable that future taxable 
profits will be available to utilise the deductible expenditure.  
A long-term bond rate of 1.0% (31 December 2019: 1.3%) was used  
for the purposes of augmentation. All other deferred PRRT and 
income tax movements are a result of the effective income tax  
rates applicable to each Australian or foreign jurisdiction. 

Certain deferred tax assets on deductible temporary differences  
have not been recognised on the basis that deductions from future 
augmentation of the deductible temporary difference will be 
sufficient to offset future taxable profit. $4,167 million  
(2019: $3,831 million) relates to the North West Shelf Project,  
$1,345 million (2019: $654 million) relates to the quarantined 
exploration spend and impaired general spend of Pluto LNG and 
$1,049 million (2019: $856 million) relates to Wheatstone. A long-term 
bond rate of 1.0% (31 December 2019: 1.3%) was used for the purposes 
of augmentation.

Had an alternative approach been used to assess recovery of the 
deferred tax assets, whereby future augmentation was not included 
in the assessment, the additional deferred tax assets would be 
recognised, with a corresponding benefit to income tax expense. 
It was determined that the approach adopted provides the most 
meaningful information on the implications of the PRRT regime, 
whilst ensuring compliance with AASB 112 Income Taxes.

A.5  Taxes (cont.)

Tax transparency code 
Woodside participates in the Australian Board of Taxation’s 
voluntary Tax Transparency Code (TTC). To increase public 
confidence in the contributions and compliance of corporate 
taxpayers, the TTC recommends public disclosure of tax 
information. Woodside has addressed the recommended 
disclosures in two parts. The Part A disclosures are addressed  
within this Taxes note; the Part B disclosures are addressed  
in our Sustainable Development Report.

Recognition and measurement 
Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount 
expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that 
are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or 
the asset is realised. The tax rates and laws used to determine the 
amount are based on those that have been enacted or substantially 
enacted by the end of the reporting period. Income taxes relating  
to items recognised directly in equity are recognised in equity. 

Current taxes 
Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable 
income for the year and any adjustment to tax payable in respect  
of previous years. 

Deferred taxes 
Deferred tax expense represents movements in the temporary 
differences between the carrying amount of an asset or liability  
in the statement of financial position and its tax base. 

With the exception of those noted below, deferred tax liabilities  
are recognised for all taxable temporary differences. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary 
differences, unused tax losses and tax credits only if it is probable 
that sufficient future taxable income will be available to utilise those 
temporary differences and losses. 

Deferred tax is not recognised if the temporary difference arises 
from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a 
business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction  
that affects neither accounting profit nor the taxable profit. 

In relation to PRRT, the impact of future augmentation on 
expenditure is included in the determination of future taxable 
profits when assessing the extent to which a deferred tax asset  
can be recognised in the statement of financial position. 

Offsetting deferred tax balances 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if there is a legally 
enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and 
when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation 
authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable 
entities that the Group intends to settle its current tax assets  
and liabilities on a net basis. Refer to Notes E.8 and E.9 for detail 
on the tax consolidated group.

96 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

In this section

This section addresses the strategic growth (exploration and evaluation) and core producing (oil and gas properties) assets position of the 
Group at the end of the reporting period including, where applicable, the accounting policies and key estimates and judgements applied. 
This section also includes the impairment position of the Group at the end of the reporting period. 

B.

B.1

B.2

B.3

B.4

Production and growth assets

Segment production and growth assets

Exploration and evaluation

Oil and gas properties

Impairment of exploration and evaluation and oil 
and gas properties

Page 98

Page 99

Page 100

Page 101

B.5

Significant production and growth asset acquisitions

Page 104

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 97

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 31 December 2020NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.1  Segment production and growth assets

Producing

Development

Other

North West 
Shelf

Consolidated
2019
2020
2020
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m

Australia Oil Wheatstone
2019
2020

Development
2019
2020

Other

Pluto

2020

2020

2020

2019

2019

2019

2019

-
229 
-
13 
-

242 

1 
-
3 
-
3 

7 

317 
435 

752 

18 
16 
-
34 

2 
-
-
2 

148  1,752  2,243 
199 
199 
229 
742 
-
-
623 
16 
64 
2 
2 
-

365  2,045  3,809 

749  1,068 
1 
-
729 
431 
3  11,933  15,813 
36 
-
11 
652 
1  2,143 

5  15,267  18,298 

342 
375 

717 

49 
7 
-
56 

392 
592 

984 

45 
310 
44 
399 

1  1,539 
-
57 
-
187 
1  1,783 

396 
552 

948 

58 
416 
5 
479 

726 
41 
186 
953 

1 
12 
13 

2 
101 
103 

1 
12 
13 

24 
102 
126 

-
-
-
-
-

-

34 
-

34 

-
383 
2 
385 

-
-
-
-

-
-
-

Balance as at 31 December
Oceania
Asia
Canada
Africa
Other

Total exploration and evaluation

Balance as at 31 December
Land and buildings
Transferred exploration and evaluation
Plant and equipment
Marine vessels and carriers
Projects in development

9 
-
-
-
-

9 

19 
-
-
-
-

19 

-
-
-
-
-

-

429 
-
-
-
-

429 

13 
-
-
-
-

13 

21 
-
-
-
-

21 

3 
-
-
-
-

3 

2  1,727  1,624 
-
-
-
742 
-
-
607 
-
51 
-
-
-

2  1,778  2,973 

9 
61 

15 
89 

307 
167 

388 
258 
1,574  2,123  7,498  8,891 
-
321 

36 
113 

-
549 

11 
131 

-
90 

-
189 

432 
113 

664 
193 
784  1,509  2,074  3,287 
-

-
-
-
-
210  1,055 

-
7 

-
395 

-
10 

Total oil and gas properties

1,786  2,376  8,521  9,858 

884  1,705  3,014  4,354  1,055 

Balance as at 31 December
Land and buildings
Marine vessels and carriers

Total lease assets

Additions to exploration and evaluation:
Exploration
Evaluation
Restoration

Additions to oil and gas properties:
Oil and gas properties
Capitalised borrowings costs1
Restoration

Additions to lease assets:
Land and buildings
Marine vessels and carriers

12 
1 

13 

-
-
-
-

68 
1 
34 
103 

12 
1 
13 

-
-

-

4 
3 
-
7 

81 
-
65 
146 

-
-
-

22 
156 

178 

-
-
-
-

322 
17 
68 
407 

6 
-
6 

20 
177 

197 

3 
9 
3 
15 

297 
5 
42 
344 

-
-
-

-
-

-

-
-
-
-

-
-

-

-
-
-
-

93 
2 
42 
137 

-
-
-

257 
34 
62 
353 

-
-
-

3 
-

3 

1 
-
-
1 

287 
10 
43 
340 

3 
-
3 

-
-

-

2 
14 
-
16 

90 
2 
17 
109 

-
-
-

38 
-

38 

26 
294 
44 
364 

767 
27 
-
794 

1 
-
1 

1.  Borrowing costs capitalised were at a weighted average interest rate of 3.8% (2019: 4.2%).

Refer to Note A.1 for descriptions of the Group’s segments and geographical regions.

98 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.2  Exploration and evaluation

Year ended 31 December 2020
Carrying amount at 1 January 2020
Additions
Amortisation of licence acquisition costs
Expensed1
Impairment losses2
Transferred exploration and evaluation

Carrying amount at 31 December 2020

Year ended 31 December 2019
Carrying amount at 1 January 2019
Additions
Amortisation of licence acquisition costs
Expensed1
Impairment losses2
Transferred exploration and evaluation

Carrying amount at 31 December 2019

Exploration commitments

Oceania
US$m

Asia
US$m

Canada
US$m

2,243 
272 
(5)
-
(748)
(10)

1,752 

2,002 
325 
(11)
(4)
-
(69)

2,243 

199 
34 
(4)
-
-
-

229 

192 
11 
(4)
-
-
-

199 

742 
67 
-
-
(809)
-

-

1,408 
54 
-
-
(720)
-

742 

Year ended 31 December 2020
Year ended 31 December 2019
1.  $2 million of exploration and evaluation expensed relates to unsuccessful wells written off during the period (2019: $46 million).
2.  Refer to Note B.4 for details on impairment.

11 
13 

55 
32 

-
-

Africa
US$m

623 
26 
(3)
-
-
(582)

64 

563 
60 
-
-
-
-

623 

46 
44 

Other
US$m

2 
-
-
(2)
-
-

-

15 
29 
-
(42)
-
-

2 

3 
15 

Total
US$m

3,809 
399 
(12)
(2)
(1,557)
(592)

2,045 

4,180 
479 
(15)
(46)
(720)
(69)

3,809 

115 
104 

Recognition and measurement 
Expenditure on exploration and evaluation is accounted for 
in accordance with the area of interest method. The Group’s 
application of the accounting policy is closely aligned to the US 
GAAP-based successful efforts method.

Areas of interest are based on a geographical area for which 
the rights of tenure are current. All exploration and evaluation 
expenditure, including general permit activity, geological and 
geophysical costs and new venture activity costs, is expensed  
as incurred except for the following:
•  where the expenditure relates to an exploration discovery 
for which the assessment of the existence or otherwise of 
economically recoverable hydrocarbons is not yet complete; or

•  where the expenditure is expected to be recouped through 

successful exploitation of the area of interest, or alternatively, 
by its sale.

The costs of acquiring interests in new exploration and evaluation 
licences are capitalised. The costs of drilling exploration wells are 
initially capitalised pending the results of the well.

Costs are expensed where the well does not result in the 
successful discovery of economically recoverable hydrocarbons 
and the recognition of an area of interest.

Subsequent to the recognition of an area of interest, all further 
evaluation costs relating to that area of interest are capitalised.

Upon approval for the commercial development of an area of 
interest, accumulated expenditure for the area of interest is 
transferred to oil and gas properties.

In the statement of cash flows, those cash flows associated  
with capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure,  
including unsuccessful wells, are classified as cash flows used  
in investing activities.

Exploration commitments 
The Group has exploration expenditure obligations which  
are contracted for, but not provided for in the financial 
statements. These obligations may be varied from time to time 
and are expected to be fulfilled in the normal course of the 
Group's operations.

Impairment
Refer to Note B.4 for details on impairment, including any write-offs.

Key estimates and judgements 

Area of interest 
Typically, an area of interest (AOI) is defined by the Group as an 
individual geographical area whereby the presence of hydrocarbons 
is considered favourable or proved to exist. The Group has 
established criteria to recognise and maintain an AOI. 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 99

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.3  Oil and gas properties

Year ended 31 December 2020
Carrying amount at 1 January 2020
Additions
Disposals at written down value
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment losses1
Completions and transfers

Carrying amount at 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2020
Historical cost
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Net carrying amount

Year ended 31 December 2019
Carrying amount at 1 January 2019
Additions
Disposals at written down value
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment losses1
Completions and transfers

Carrying amount at 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2019
Historical cost
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Net carrying amount
1.  Refer to Note B.4 for details on impairment.

Land and 
buildings
US$m

Transferred 
exploration and 
evaluation 
US$m

Plant and 
equipment
US$m

Marine vessels 
and carriers
US$m

Projects in 
development
US$m

1,068 
-
-
(55)
(264)
-

749 

1,722 
(973)

749 

1,100 
-
-
(57)
-
25 

1,068 

1,722 
(654)

1,068 

729 
-
-
(99)
(199)
-

431 

1,348 
(917)

431 

625 
-
-
(101)
-
205 

729 

1,348 
(619)

729 

15,813 
150 
(3)
(1,533)
(2,636)
142 

11,933 

31,225 
(19,292)

11,933 

15,460 
122 
(3)
(1,412)
-
1,646 

15,813 

30,928 
(15,115)

15,813 

36 
-
-
(2)
(23)
-

11 

184 
(173)

11 

66 
-
(13)
(4)
(17)
4 

36 

184 
(148)

36 

652 
1,633 
(2)
-
(590)
450 

2,143 

2,791 
(648)

2,143 

1,630 
831 
(2)
-
-
(1,807)

652 

710 
(58)

652 

Total 
US$m

18,298 
1,783 
(5)
(1,689)
(3,712)
592 

15,267 

37,270 
(22,003)

15,267 

18,881 
953 
(18)
(1,574)
(17)
73 

18,298 

34,892 
(16,594)

18,298 

Recognition and measurement
Oil and gas properties are stated at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and impairment charges. Oil and gas properties 
include the costs to acquire, construct, install or complete 
production and infrastructure facilities such as pipelines and 
platforms, capitalised borrowing costs, transferred exploration  
and evaluation assets, development wells and the estimated cost 
of dismantling and restoration.

Subsequent capital costs, including major maintenance, are 
included in the asset’s carrying amount only when it is probable 
that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow  
to the Group and the cost of the item can be reliably measured.

Depreciation and amortisation
Oil and gas properties and other plant and equipment are 
depreciated to their estimated residual values at rates based  
on their expected useful lives.

Transferred exploration and evaluation and offshore plant and 
equipment are depreciated using the unit of production basis 
over proved plus probable reserves or proved reserves for late 
life assets. Onshore plant and equipment is depreciated using 
a straight-line basis over the lesser of useful life and the life of 
proved plus probable reserves. On a straight-line basis the assets 
have an estimated useful life of 5-50 years.

All other items of oil and gas properties are depreciated using the 
straight-line method over their useful life. They are depreciated  
as follows:

•  Buildings – 24-40 years;
•  Marine vessels and carriers – 

•  Other plant and equipment – 

5-15 years; and

10-40 years;

•  Land is not depreciated.

100 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Impairment
Refer to Note B.4 for details on impairment.

Capital commitments
The Group has capital expenditure commitments contracted for, 
but not provided for in the financial statements, of $1,569 million 
(2019: $865 million).

Key estimates and judgements 

(a) Reserves
The estimation of reserves requires significant management 
judgement and interpretation of complex geological and geophysical 
models in order to make an assessment of the size, shape, depth and 
quality of reservoirs, and their anticipated recoveries. 

Estimates of oil and natural gas reserves are used to calculate 
depreciation and amortisation charges for the Group’s oil and gas 
properties. Judgement is used in determining the reserve base applied 
to each asset. Typically, late life oil assets use proved reserves. 

Estimates are reviewed at least annually or when there are changes 
in the economic circumstances impacting specific assets or asset 
groups. These changes may impact depreciation, asset carrying 
values, restoration provisions and deferred tax balances. If proved 
plus probable (2P) reserves estimates are revised downwards, 
earnings could be affected by higher depreciation expense or an 
immediate write-down of the asset’s carrying value. 

For more information regarding reserve assumptions, refer to the reserves 
and resources statement on pages 48-51 of the Annual Report.

(b) Depreciation and amortisation
Judgement is required to determine when assets are available for 
use to commence depreciation and amortisation. Depreciation and 
amortisation generally commences on first production.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.4   Impairment of exploration and evaluation and oil and gas properties

Exploration and evaluation
Impairment testing
The recoverability of the carrying amount of exploration and 
evaluation assets is dependent on successful development and 
commercial exploitation, or alternatively, sale of the respective AOI.

Each AOI is reviewed half-yearly to determine whether economic 
quantities of hydrocarbons have been found or whether further 
exploration and evaluation work is underway or planned to 
support continued carry forward of capitalised costs. Where 
a potential impairment is indicated for an AOI, an assessment 
is performed using a fair value less costs to dispose (FVLCD) 
method to determine its recoverable amount. Upon approval for 
commercial development, exploration and evaluation assets are 
also assessed for impairment before they are transferred to oil  
and gas properties.

Impairment calculations
The recoverable amounts of exploration and evaluation assets are 
determined using FVLCD as there is no value in use (VIU). Costs 
to dispose are the incremental costs directly attributable to the 
disposal of an asset (disposal group), excluding finance costs and 
income tax expense.

If the carrying amount of an AOI exceeds its recoverable amount, 
the AOI is written down to its recoverable amount and an 
impairment loss is recognised in the income statement.

For assets previously impaired, if the recoverable amount exceeds 
the carrying amount, the impairment loss is reversed, but only 
to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed 
the carrying amount that would have been determined if no 
impairment loss had been recognised.

Oil and gas properties 
Impairment testing
The carrying amounts of oil and gas properties are assessed half-
yearly to determine whether there is an indication of impairment 
or impairment reversal for those assets which have previously 
been impaired. Indicators of impairment and impairment reversals 
include changes in future selling prices, future costs and reserves. 

Oil and gas properties are assessed for impairment indicators and 
impairments on a cash-generating unit (CGU) basis. CGUs are 
determined as an FPSO and associated oil fields for an oil asset, 
and an LNG plant, offshore infrastructure and associated gas fields 
for a gas asset.

If there is an indicator of impairment or impairment reversal  
for a CGU then the recoverable amount is calculated.

Impairment calculations
The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is determined as  
the higher of its VIU and FVLCD. VIU is determined by estimating 
future cash flows after taking into account the risks specific to 
the asset and discounting to present value using an appropriate 
discount rate.

If the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable 
amount, the asset or CGU is written down and an impairment loss 
is recognised in the income statement.

For assets previously impaired, if the recoverable amount exceeds 
the carrying amount, the impairment loss is reversed. The carrying 
amount of the asset or CGU is increased to the revised estimate 
of its recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the asset’s 
carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would 
have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no 
impairment loss had been recognised.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 101

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.4   Impairment of exploration and evaluation and oil and gas properties (cont.)

Recognised impairment 
As at 30 June 2020 the Group assessed each AOI and CGU and identified the following indicators of impairment for certain AOIs and all CGUs:

•  AOIs – uncertainties on fiscal conditions and/or development strategies have led to a lack of substantive ongoing and/or planned 

activity; and

•  CGUs – the decrease in global oil and gas prices due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, oversupply and weakened global demand. 

Impairment losses before tax are recognised in other expenses, refer to Note A.1.

The results are set out in the following table, which includes the AOIs and CGUs which were subject to impairment testing:

Impairment losses

Oil and gas properties

Recoverable 
amount1
US$m

Exploration 
and  

evaluation
US$m

Land and 
buildings
US$m

Transferred 
exploration 
and  

evaluation
US$m

Plant and 
equipment
US$m

Marine  
vessels and 
carriers
US$m

Projects in 
development
US$m

Segment

Producing

AOI/CGU
Pluto  
(WA-404-P)²,⁴

Development

Kitimat LNG⁵

Other 
segments

Producing

Sunrise⁶
Toro (WA-93-R)/
Ragnar (WA-
94-R)³,⁷

North West Shelf
Pluto
Australia Oil
Vincent  
(Ngujima-Yin)
NWS Oil (Okha)

Wheatstone

Development

Sangomar

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

1,922
9,712

836
102

3,029

415

429

809

168

151

-
-

-
-

-

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2
54

-
-

208

-

264

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

15
59

64
3

58

-

199

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

387
666

517
61

1,005

-

2,636

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

23
-

-
-

-

-

23

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

27
83

26
3

130

321

590

Total
US$m

- 

 - 

 - 

 - 

454
862

607
67

1,401

321

3,712

Total

16,016

1,557

1.  The recoverable amounts for exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas properties have been determined using the FVLCD and VIU methods, respectively.  

The carrying amount of the CGUs includes all assets allocated to the CGU. Refer to key estimates and judgements for further details.

2.  The impairment of Pluto (WA-404-P) has resulted in a reclassification of the Greater Pluto (WA-404-P) Proved (1P) Undeveloped Reserves of 91 MMboe and Proved plus 

Probable (2P) Undeveloped Reserves of 123 MMboe, to Best Estimate (2C) Contingent Resources.

3.  Converted from WA-430-P.

Impairment indicators for exploration and evaluation assets:
4.  Increased uncertainty of development timing, given the prioritisation of the higher-value Scarborough resource.
5.  The revision of long-term oil and Alberta natural gas market spot price assumptions, and a change to the development concept to a standalone LNG facility, de-linked  

from the upstream resource, with different accounting requirements.

6.  Increased uncertainty of regulatory conditions, fiscal terms and development concept.
7.  Increased uncertainty of development timing.

Sensitivity analysis 
It is estimated that changes in the following key assumptions would result in a higher or lower impairment than what was determined  
as at 30 June 2020:

Discount rate: 
increase of 1%²

Discount rate: 
decrease of 1%²

Oil price: 
increase of 10%

Oil price: 
decrease of 10%

FX:  

FX:  

increase of 12%

decrease of 12%

Sensitivity¹

Oil and gas 
properties

Producing

North West Shelf
Pluto
Australia Oil
 Vincent 
(Ngujima-Yin)
 NWS Oil (Okha)

Wheatstone

Development Sangomar

(72)
(487)

(24)
(5)

(266)

(61)

78
528

26
5

305

67

269
1,210

105
40

514

122

(269)
(1,244)

(105)
(40)

(514)

(130)

(89)
(219)

(33)
(25)

(118)

N/A

89
219

33
25

118

N/A

1.  The sensitivities represent reasonable possible changes to the discount rate, oil price and FX assumptions.
2.  A change of 1% represents 100 basis points.

102 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.4   Impairment of exploration and evaluation and oil and gas properties (cont.)

Following the impairment recognised at 30 June 2020, the Group assessed each AOI and CGU for indicators of impairment as at  
31 December 2020 in accordance with the Group's accounting policy. In assessing whether there was an indicator of impairment or impairment 
reversal, the Group considered whether there have been any significant changes in the key estimates and judgements and underlying project 
assumptions used for the 30 June 2020 impairment assessment and determined that there had been none. No indicators of additional 
impairment or impairment reversal were identified.

For the year ended 31 December 2019 the following impairments were recognised:

Exploration and evaluation
On 10 December 2019, the operator of the Kitimat LNG project announced its decision to exit the project and subsequently announced 
an impairment of its interest in the asset. This was considered to be an indicator of impairment and the recoverable amount of the 
Kitimat AOI was calculated as $742 million as at 31 December 2019. An impairment loss of $720 million was recognised in other 
expenses in the Development segment of Note A.1. The FVLCD for the Kitimat LNG AOI was determined as the present value of the 
estimated future cash flows (expressed in real terms) expected to arise from the development and use of the asset using assumptions 
that an independent market participant would take into account. These cash flows were discounted using a post-tax discount rate 
that reflected current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the Kitimat LNG AOI. The FVLCD was 
classified as Level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.

Oil and gas properties
The sale of two LNG vessels in the North West Shelf operating segment resulted in an impairment loss of $17 million as the assets' carrying 
value exceeded their FVLCD, which was determined based on the underlying sale agreements, classified as Level 3 on the fair value 
hierarchy. An impairment loss of $17 million was recognised in other expenses in the North West Shelf operating segment of Note A.1.

Key estimates and judgements 

Recoverable amount calculation key assumptions 
In determining the recoverable amounts of exploration and 
evaluation assets, the market comparison approach using adjusted 
market multiples (fair value hierarchy Level 3) has been utilised to 
determine FVLCD.

In determining the recoverable amount of CGUs, estimates are made 
regarding the present value of future cash flows when determining the 
VIU. These estimates require significant management judgement and 
are subject to risk and uncertainty, and hence changes in economic 
conditions can also affect the assumptions used and the rates used  
to discount future cash flow estimates. 

The basis for the estimates used to determine recoverable amounts as  
at 30 June 2020 is set out below: 

•  Resource estimates – 2P reserves for oil and gas properties as 

disclosed in the reserves and resources statement in the  
31 December 2019 Annual Report on pages 44 to 47.

•  Inflation rate – an inflation rate of 2.0% has been applied  

(31 December 2019: 2.0%). 

•  Discount rates – a range of pre-tax discount rates between 9.3% and 
14.8% (post-tax discount rates 7.5% and 11.0%) for CGUs has been 
applied. The discount rate reflects an assessment of the risks specific 
to the asset, including country risk.

•  An evaluation of climate risk impacts, including a long-term 

Australian carbon price of US$80/tonne (real terms 2020), applicable 
to Australian emissions that exceed facility-specific baselines in 
accordance with Australian regulations.

•  LNG price – the majority of LNG sales contracts are linked to an oil 

price marker; accordingly the LNG prices used are consistent with oil 
price assumptions. 

•  Oil prices – derived from long-term views of global supply and 

demand, building upon past experience of the industry and consistent 
with external sources. Prices are adjusted for premiums and discounts 
based on the nature and quality of the product. The nominal Brent oil 
prices (US$/bbl) used were: 

30 June 2020
31 December 2019

2020
35
63

2021
45
63

2022
57
68

2023
62
72

2024
67
76

2025
721
801

•  Foreign exchange rates – a rate of $0.75 US$:AU$ (31 December 2019: 
$0.75) is based on management’s view of long-term exchange rates.

1.  Based on US$65/bbl (2020 real terms) from 2025 and prices are escalated at 
2.0% onwards (31 December 2019: US$72.5/bbl (2020 real terms) and prices 
are escalated at 2.0% onwards).

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 103

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B. PRODUCTION AND GROWTH ASSETS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

B.5  Significant production and growth  

asset acquisitions

On 22 December 2020, Woodside completed the acquisition  
of Capricorn Senegal Limited’s (Cairn’s) interest in the RSSD  
Joint Venture (36.44% interest in the Sangomar exploitation area  
and 40% interest in the remaining RSSD evaluation area) for an 
aggregate purchase price of $527 million. The transaction was 
accounted for as an asset acquisition. 

Additional payments of up to $100 million are contingent on 
future commodity prices and the timing of first oil. The contingent 
payments are accounted for as contingent liabilities in accordance 
with the Group’s accounting policies. 

As at 31 December 2020, Woodside holds a 68.33% interest in the 
Sangomar exploitation area and a 75% interest in the remaining 
RSSD evaluation area. 

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as at the date of the 
acquisition inclusive of transaction costs were: 

Oil and gas properties
Exploration and evaluation
Cash acquired
Payables
Net other assets and liabilities assumed

Total identifiable net assets at acquisition

Cash flows on acquisition

Purchase cash consideration
Transaction costs
Total purchase consideration

Net cash outflows on acquisition

US$m
540 
26 
5 
(51)
7 

527 

US$m
525 
2 
527 

527 

In December 2020, the Group exercised its right to pre-empt the 
sale by FAR Senegal RSSD SA (FAR) to ONGC Videsh Vankorneft 
Pte Ltd (ONGC) of FAR's interest in the RSSD Joint Venture  
(13.67% interest in the Sangomar exploitation area and 15% interest 
in the remaining RSSD evaluation area). The transaction is subject 
to FAR shareholder approval and certain other conditions, and as 
at 31 December 2020 has not completed. The terms of the 
transaction will reflect those of the FAR/ONGC transaction 
including payment to FAR of $45 million, reimbursement of  
FAR's share of working capital from 1 January 2020 to completion 
of the transaction and certain contingent payments capped at 
$55 million. Woodside's interest will increase to 82% for the 
Sangomar exploitation area and 90% for the remaining RSSD 
evaluation area following the completion of the transaction.

104 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C. DEBT AND CAPITAL
for the year ended 31 December 2020

In this section

This section addresses cash, debt and the capital position of the Group at the end of the reporting period including, where applicable,  
the accounting policies applied and the key estimates and judgements made.

C.

C.1

C.2

C.3

C.4

Debt and capital

Cash and cash equivalents

Interest-bearing liabilities and financing facilities

Contributed equity

Other reserves

Page 106

Page 106

Page 108

Page 108

Key financial and capital risks in this section

Capital risk management
Capital management is undertaken to ensure that a secure, cost-effective and flexible supply of funds is available to meet the Group’s 
operating and capital expenditure requirements. A stable capital base is maintained from which the Group can pursue its growth 
aspirations, whilst maintaining a flexible capital structure that allows access to a range of debt and equity markets to both draw upon  
and repay capital.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) was approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2003 for activation as required  
to fund future growth. The DRP was reactivated for the 2019 interim dividend and will remain in place until further notice. 

A range of financial metrics are monitored, including gearing and cash flow leverage, and Treasury policy breaches and exceptions.

Liquidity risk management
Liquidity risk arises from the financial liabilities of the Group and the Group’s subsequent ability to meet its obligations to repay financial 
liabilities as and when they fall due. The liquidity position of the Group is managed to ensure sufficient liquid funds are available to meet  
its financial commitments in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The Group’s liquidity is continually reviewed, including cash flow forecasts to determine the forecast liquidity position and maintain 
appropriate liquidity levels. At 31 December 2020, the Group had a total of $6,704 million (2019: $6,952 million) of available undrawn 
facilities and cash at its disposal. The maturity profile of interest-bearing liabilities is disclosed in Note C.2, trade and other payables are 
disclosed in Note D.4 and lease liabilities are disclosed in Note D.7. Financing facilities available to the Group are disclosed in Note C.2.

Interest rate risk management
Interest rate risk is the risk that the Group’s financial position will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates.

The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to financial instruments with floating interest rates 
including long-term debt obligations, cash and short-term deposits. The Group manages its interest rate risk by maintaining an appropriate 
mix of fixed and floating rate debt. To manage the ratio of fixed rate debt to floating rate debt, the Group may enter into interest rate 
swaps. The Group holds cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the foreign exchange risk (refer to Section A) and interest rate risk  
of the CHF denominated medium term note. The Group also holds interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the 
$600 million syndicated facility. Refer to Notes C.2 and D.6 for further details.

At the reporting date, the Group was exposed to various benchmark interest rates that were not designated in cash flow hedges,  
$3,527 million (2019: $3,981 million) on cash and cash equivalents, $450 million (2019: $533 million) on interest-bearing liabilities  
(excluding transaction costs) and $15 million (2019: $7 million) on cross-currency interest rate swaps.

A reasonably possible change in the USD London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (+0.5%/-0.5% (2019: +1.0%/-1.0%)), with all variables  
held constant, would not have a material impact on the Group’s equity or the income statement in the current period.

The Group's Treasury function is closely monitoring the market and the output from the various industry working groups managing the 
transition to new benchmark interest rates. The Treasury function is assessing the implications of the Interbank Offered Rates (IBOR) reform 
across the Group and will manage and execute the transition from current benchmark rates to alternative benchmark rates. 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 105

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C. DEBT AND CAPITAL
for the year ended 31 December 2020

C.1  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank 
Term deposits

Total cash and cash equivalents

2020
US$m

367 
3,237 

3,604 

2019
US$m

175 
 3,883 

4,058 

Recognition and measurement 
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position 
comprise cash at bank and short-term deposits with an original 
maturity of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are 
stated at face value in the statement of financial position.

Foreign exchange risk 
The Group held $78 million of cash and cash equivalents at  
31 December 2020 (2019: $47 million) in currencies other  
than US dollars.

C.2  Interest-bearing liabilities and financing facilities

Bilateral 
Facilities
US$m

Syndicated 
Facilities
US$m

JBIC 
Facility
US$m

US Bonds
US$m

Medium Term 
Notes
US$m

 Year ended 31 December 2020 
 At 1 January 2020 
 Repayments 
 Drawdowns 
 Fair value adjustment and foreign exchange movement 
 Transaction costs capitalised and amortised

 Carrying amount at 31 December 2020 

 Current 
 Non-current 

 Carrying amount at 31 December 2020 

 (3)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 (1)

 (4)

 (1)
 (3)

 (4)

 (4)
 - 
 600 
 - 
 (3)

 593 

 (2)
 595 

 593 

 Undrawn balance at 31 December 2020 

 1,900 

 1,200 

 Year ended 31 December 2019 
 At 1 January 2019 
 Repayments 
 Drawdowns 
 Fair value adjustment and foreign exchange movement 
 Transaction costs capitalised and amortised
 Carrying amount at 31 December 2019 

 Current 

 Non-current 

 Carrying amount at 31 December 2019 

 (2)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 (1)
 (3)

 (1)

 (2)

 (3)

 (1)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 (3)
 (4)

 (1)

 (3)

 (4)

 Undrawn balance at 31 December 2019 

 1,694 

 1,200 

 333 
 (83)
 - 
 - 
 - 

 250 

 83 
 167 

 250 

 - 

 417 
 (84)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 333 

 83 

 250 

 333 

 - 

 4,775 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 3 

 4,778 

 696 
 4,082 

 4,778 

 - 

 3,284 
 - 
 1,500 
 - 
 (9)
 4,775 

 (4)

 4,779 

 4,775 

 - 

 578 
 - 
 - 
 19 
 - 

 597 

 - 
 597 

 597 

 - 

 373 
 - 
 200 
 4 
 1 
 578 

 - 

 578 

 578 

 - 

Total
US$m

 5,679 
 (83)
 600 
 19 
 (1)

 6,214 

 776 
 5,438 

 6,214 

 3,100 

 4,071 
 (84)
 1,700 
 4 
 (12)
 5,679 

 77 

 5,602 

 5,679 

 2,894 

Recognition and measurement
All borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less transaction 
costs. Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost.  
Any difference between the proceeds received and the 
redemption amount is recognised in the income statement over 
the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Borrowings designated as a hedged item are measured at amortised 
cost adjusted to record changes in the fair value of risks that are 
being hedged in fair value hedges. The changes in the fair value risks 
of the hedged item resulted in a loss of $19 million being recorded 
(2019: loss of $4 million), and a gain of $18 million recorded on the 
hedging instrument (2019: gain of $5 million).

All bonds, notes and facilities are subject to various covenants and 
a negative pledge restricting future secured borrowings, subject 
to a number of permitted lien exceptions. Neither the covenants 
nor the negative pledges have been breached at any time during 
the reporting period.

106 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Fair value 
The carrying amount of interest-bearing liabilities approximates 
their fair value, with the exception of the Group’s unsecured bonds 
and the medium term notes. The unsecured bonds have a carrying 
amount of $4,778 million (2019: $4,775 million) and a fair value 
of $5,196 million (2019: $5,060 million). The medium term notes 
have a carrying amount of $597 million (2019: $578 million) and a 
fair value of $617 million (2019: $594 million). The fair value of the 
bonds and notes was determined using quoted prices in an active 
market, classified as Level 1 on the fair value hierarchy. The Group’s 
repayment obligations remain unchanged.

Foreign exchange risk
All interest-bearing liabilities are denominated in US dollars, 
excluding the CHF175 million medium term note.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C. DEBT AND CAPITAL
for the year ended 31 December 2020

C.2 

 Interest-bearing liabilities and  
financing facilities (cont.)

Maturity profile of interest-bearing liabilities 
The table below presents the contractual undiscounted cash 
flows associated with the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities, 
representing principal and interest. The figures will not necessarily 
reconcile with the amounts disclosed in the consolidated 
statement of financial position.

Due for payment in:
1 year or less
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years
More than 5 years

Amounts exclude transaction costs.

2020
US$m

979 
470 
462 
178 
1,161 
4,266 
7,516 

2019
US$m

297 
980 
462 
439 
171 
4,800 
7,149 

Bilateral facilities
The Group has 14 bilateral loan facilities totalling $1,900 million 
(2019: 13 bilateral loan facilities totalling $1,694 million). Details of 
bilateral loan facilities at the reporting date are as follows: 

Number of 
facilities

6
2
6

Term (years)

Currency

Extension option

5
4
3

US$
US$
US$

Evergreen
Evergreen
Evergreen

Interest rates are based on USD LIBOR and margins are fixed 
at the commencement of the drawdown period. Interest is paid 
at the end of the drawdown period. Evergreen facilities may be 
extended continually by a year subject to the bank’s agreement.

Syndicated facility
On 3 July 2015, the Group executed an unsecured $1,000 million 
syndicated loan facility, which was increased to $1,200 million on  
22 March 2016 and amended to $800 million on 15 November 2017. 
On 14 October 2019, Woodside increased the existing facility to 
$1,200 million, with $400 million expiring on 11 October 2022 and 
$800 million expiring on 11 October 2024. Interest rates are based 
on USD LIBOR and margins are fixed at the commencement of the 
drawdown period.

On 17 January 2020, the Group completed a new $600 million 
syndicated facility with a term of seven years. Interest is based 
on the USD London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.2%. 
Interest is paid on a quarterly basis.

Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) facility
On 24 June 2008, the Group entered into a two tranche 
committed loan facility of $1,000 million and $500 million 
respectively. The $500 million tranche was repaid in 2013.  
There is a prepayment option for the remaining balance.  
Interest rates are based on LIBOR. Interest is payable semi-
annually in arrears and the principal amortises on a straight-line 
basis, with equal instalments of principal due on each interest 
payment date (every six months). 

Under this facility, 90% of the receivables from designated Pluto 
LNG sale and purchase agreements are secured in favour of the 
lenders through a trust structure, with a required reserve amount 
of $30 million. 

To the extent that this reserve amount remains fully funded 
and no default notice or acceleration notice has been given, the 
revenue from Pluto LNG continues to flow directly to the Group 
from the trust account.

Medium term notes
On 28 August 2015, the Group established a $3,000 million Global 
Medium Term Notes Programme listed on the Singapore Stock 
Exchange. Three notes have been issued under this programme  
as set out below:

Maturity date

Currency

Carrying amount 
(million)

15 July 2022
11 December 2023
29 January 2027
The unutilised program is not considered to be an unused facility.

US$
CHF
US$

200
175
200

Nominal interest 
rate
Floating three 
month US$ 
LIBOR
1%
3%

US bonds
The Group has five unsecured bonds issued in the United States of 
America as defined in Rule 144A of the US Securities Act of 1933 as 
set out below:

Maturity date
10 May 2021
5 March 2025
15 September 2026
15 March 2028
4 March 2029

Carrying amount 
US$m
 700 
 1,000 
 800 
 800 
 1,500 

Nominal interest 
rate
4.60%
3.65%
3.70%
3.70%
4.50%

Interest on the bonds is payable semi-annually in arrears.

During the period, the 2021 US bond for $700 million was 
reclassified from non-current to current interest-bearing  
liabilities due to its maturity date. The bond was redeemed  
on 10 February 2021.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 107

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C. DEBT AND CAPITAL
for the year ended 31 December 2020

C.3  Contributed equity 

C.4  Other reserves

Recognition and measurement
Issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity and recorded at the value 
of consideration received. The cost of issuing shares is shown in 
share capital as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Reserved shares
The Group’s own equity instruments, which are reacquired 
for later use in employee share-based payment arrangements 
(reserved shares), are deducted from equity. No gain or loss is 
recognised in the income statement on the purchase, sale, issue  
or cancellation of the Group’s own equity instruments.

(a) Issued and fully paid shares

Number of 
shares

US$m

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

219 
793 
(71)
462 
1,403 

211 
793 
(12)
-
992 

Other reserves
Employee benefits reserve
Foreign currency translation reserve
Hedging reserve
Distributable profits reserve

Nature and purpose

Employee benefits reserve

Used to record share-based payments associated with the employee share 
plans and remeasurement adjustments relating to the defined benefit plan.

Foreign currency translation reserve

Used to record foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the 
financial statements of foreign entities from their functional currency to the 
Group’s presentation currency.

 942,286,900 

 9,010 

Hedging reserve

Used to record gains and losses on hedges designated as cash flow hedges, 
and foreign currency basis spread arising from the designation of a financial 
instrument as a hedging instrument. Gains and losses accumulated in the cash 
flow hedge reserve are taken to the income statement in the same period 
during which the hedged expected cash flows affect the income statement.

Distributable profits reserve

Used to record distributable profits generated by the Parent entity,  
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. As approved by resolution of the Directors  
on 29 June 2020, current and prior period profits of $710 million were 
transferred to the reserve that was established during the period.

 181 

 83 

 23 

 9,297 

 8,880 

 130 

 9,010 

Year ended 31 December 2020
Opening balance
DRP - ordinary shares issued at A$25.61 
(2019 final dividend)
DRP - ordinary shares issued at A$18.79 
(2020 interim dividend)
Employee share plan - ordinary shares 
issued at A$18.27
(2017 Woodside equity plan)

 12,072,034 

 6,091,035 

 1,775,845 

Amounts as at 31 December 2020

 962,225,814 

Year ended 31 December 2019
Opening balance
DRP - ordinary shares issued at A$31.34 
(2019 interim dividend)

 936,151,549 

 6,135,351 

Amounts as at 31 December 2019

 942,286,900 

All shares are a single class with equal rights to dividends, capital, 
distributions and voting. The Company does not have authorised 
capital nor par value in relation to its issued shares.

(b) Shares reserved for employee share plans

Year ended 31 December 2020
Opening balance
Purchases during the year
Vested during the year

Amounts at 31 December 2020

Year ended 31 December 2019
Opening balance
Purchases during the year
Vested during the year

Amounts at 31 December 2019

Number of 
shares

1,985,306 
2,242,345 
(2,461,552)

1,766,099 

1,130,104 
3,052,348 
(2,197,146)

1,985,306 

US$m

(39)
(32)
48 

(23)

(31)
(66)
58 

(39)

108 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2020

In this section

This section addresses the other assets and liabilities position at the end of the reporting period including, where applicable, the accounting 
policies applied and the key estimates and judgements made. 

D.

D.1

D.2

D.3

D.4

D.5

D.6

D.7

Other assets and liabilities

Segment assets and liabilities

Receivables

Inventories

Payables

Provisions

Other financial assets and liabilities

Leases

Page 110

Page 110

Page 110

Page 111

Page 111

Page 112

Page 113

Key financial and capital risks in this section

Credit risk management 
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligation under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial 
loss to the Group. Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Group, which comprise trade and other receivables, loans receivables 
and deposits with banks and financial institutions. 

The Group manages its credit risk on trade receivables and financial instruments by predominantly dealing with counterparties with an 
investment grade credit rating. Sufficient collateral is obtained to mitigate the risk of financial loss when transacting with counterparties 
with below investment grade credit ratings. Customers who wish to trade on unsecured credit terms are subject to credit verification 
procedures. Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis. As a result, the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant.  
The Group’s maximum credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of its financial assets.

Customer credit risk is managed by the Treasury function subject to the Group’s established policy, procedures and controls relating to 
customer credit risk management. Credit quality of a customer is assessed based on an extensive credit rating scorecard and individual  
credit limits are defined in accordance with this assessment. Outstanding customer receivables are regularly monitored. At 31 December  
2020, the Group had four customers (2019: seven customers) that owed the Group more than $10 million each and accounted for 
approximately 82% (2019: 85%) of all trade receivables. Payment terms are typically 14 to 30 days providing only a short credit exposure.

At 31 December 2020, the Group had a provision for credit losses of nil (2019: $1 million). Subsequent to 31 December 2020,  
100% (2019: 100%) of the trade receivables balance of $164 million (2019: $208 million) has been received.

Credit risk from balances with banks is managed by the Treasury function in accordance with the Group’s policy. The Group's main funds 
are placed as short-term deposits with reputable financial institutions with strong investment grade credit ratings.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 109

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2020

The Group’s customers are required to pay in accordance with 
agreed payment terms. Depending on the product, settlement 
terms are 14 to 30 days from the date of invoice or bill of lading and 
customers regularly pay on time. There are no significant overdue 
trade receivables as at the end of the reporting period (2019: nil).

Fair value
The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates 
their fair value.

Foreign exchange risk
The Group held $68 million of receivables at 31 December 2020 
(2019: $73 million) in currencies other than US dollars (predominantly 
Australian dollars).

Loans receivable
On 9 January 2020, Woodside Energy Finance (UK) Ltd entered into 
a secured loan agreement with Petrosen (the Senegal National Oil 
Company), to provide up to $450 million for the purpose of funding 
Sangomar project costs. The facility has a maximum term of 12 years 
and semi-annual repayments of the loan are due to commence at 
the earlier of 12 months after RFSU or 30 June 2025. The carrying 
amount of the loan receivable is $113 million at 31 December 2020 
(2019: nil), which approximates its fair value. The remaining balance 
of loans receivable is due from non-controlling interests.

D.3  Inventories

(a) Inventories (current)
Petroleum products
Goods in transit
Finished stocks

Warehouse stores and materials

(b) Inventories (non-current)
Warehouse stores and materials

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

18 
33 
74 
125 

40 
40 

39 
47 
90 
176 

-
-

Recognition and measurement 
Inventories include hydrocarbon stocks, consumable supplies and 
maintenance spares. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost 
and net realisable value. Cost is determined on a weighted average 
basis and includes direct costs and an appropriate portion of fixed 
and variable production overheads where applicable. Inventories 
determined to be obsolete or damaged are written down to net 
realisable value, being the estimated selling price less selling costs.

D.1  Segment assets and liabilities

(a) Segment assets
NWS
Pluto
Australia Oil
Wheatstone
Development
Other segments
Unallocated items

(b) Segment liabilities
NWS
Pluto
Australia Oil
Wheatstone
Development
Other segments
Unallocated items

2020
US$m

1,943 
9,250 
978 
3,108 
3,055 
697 
5,592 
24,623 

2020
US$m

679 
950 
848 
281 
265 
953 
7,772 
11,748 

2019
US$m

2,541 
10,917 
1,803 
4,423 
3,028 
752 
5,889 
29,353 

2019
US$m

643 
823 
755 
212 
189 
510 
8,812 
11,944 

Refer to Note A.1 for descriptions of the Group’s segments. 
Unallocated assets mainly comprise cash and cash equivalents, 
deferred tax assets and lease assets. Unallocated liabilities mainly 
comprise interest-bearing liabilities, deferred tax liabilities and 
lease liabilities.

D.2  Receivables

(a) Receivables (current)
Trade receivables1
Other receivables1
Loans receivable
Lease receivables
Interest receivable
Dividend receivable

(b) Receivables (non-current)
Loans receivable
Lease receivables
Defined benefit plan asset

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

164 
75 
59 
3 
1 
1 
303 

394 
10 
19 
423 

208 
72 
52 
-
10 
1 
343 

222 
5 
18 
245 

1.  Interest-free and settlement terms are usually between 14 and 30 days.

Recognition and measurement
Trade receivables are initially recognised at the transaction price 
determined under AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. 
Other receivables are initially recognised at fair value. Receivables 
that satisfy the contractual cash flow and business model tests are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost less an allowance for 
uncollectable amounts. Uncollectable amounts are determined using 
the expected loss impairment model. Collectability and impairment 
are assessed on a regular basis. Subsequent recoveries of amounts 
previously written off are credited against other expenses in the 
income statement. Certain receivables that do not satisfy the 
contractual cash flow and business model tests are subsequently 
measured at fair value (refer to Note D.6).

110 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2020

D.4  Payables
The following table shows the Group’s payables balances and 
maturity analysis.

30-60 
days

< 30 
days
Total
US$m US$m US$m US$m

> 60 
days

Year ended 31 December 2020
Trade payables1
Other payables1
Interest payable2
Total payables

100 
342 
7 
449 

-
-
5 
5 

-
-
51 
51 

Year ended 31 December 2019
136 
Trade payables1
294 
Other payables1
4 
Interest payable2
Total payables
434 
1.  Interest-free and normally settled on 30 day terms.
2.  Details regarding interest-bearing liabilities are contained in Note C.2.

88 
-
59 
147 

-
-
-
-

100 
342 
63 
505 

224 
294 
63 
581 

Recognition and measurement
Trade and other payables are carried at amortised cost and are 
recognised when goods and services are received, whether or not 
billed to the Group, prior to the end of the reporting period.

Fair value
The carrying amount of payables approximates their fair value.

Foreign exchange risk
The Group held $210 million of payables at 31 December 
2020 (2019: $369 million) in currencies other than US dollars 
(predominantly Australian dollars).

D.5  Provisions

Year ended 31 December 2020
At 1 January 2020
Change in provision
Unwinding of present value discount

Carrying amount at 31 December 2020

Current 
Non-current 

Net carrying amount

Year ended 31 December 2019
At 1 January 2019
Change in provision
Unwinding of present value discount

Carrying amount at 31 December 2019

Current 
Non-current 

Restoration of operating locations1 Employee benefits Onerous contracts2
US$m

US$m

US$m

1,869 
237 
28 

2,134 

54 
2,080 

2,134 

1,572 
259 
38 

1,869 

35 
1,834 

189 
106 
-

295 

272 
23 

295 

171 
18 
-

189 

167 
22 

-
347 
2 

349 

46 
303 

349 

-
-
-

-

-
-

Other
US$m

70 
59 
-

129 

128 
1 

129 

55 
15 
-

70 

70 
-

Total 
US$m

2,128 
749 
30 

2,907 

500 
2,407 

2,907 

1,798 
292 
38 

2,128 

272 
1,856 

Net carrying amount
1.  2020 change in provision is due to a revision of discount rates of $173 million, new provisions and changes in estimates of $86 million offset by provisions used of $22 million. 
2.  2020 change in provision is due to new provisions of $447 million offset by changes in estimates of $54 million, provisions used of $41 million and a revision of discount 

1,869 

189 

70 

-

2,128 

rates of $5 million.

Recognition and measurement
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it 
is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Restoration of operating locations
Provision is made for the obligation to restore operating locations. 
The provision is first recognised in the period in which the obligation 
arises. The nature of restoration activities includes the removal of 
facilities, abandonment of wells and restoration of affected areas.

Restoration provisions are updated annually, with the 
corresponding movement recognised against the related 
exploration and evaluation assets or oil and gas properties.

Over time, the liability is increased for the change in the present 
value based on a pre-tax discount rate appropriate to the risks 
inherent in the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recorded 
as an accretion charge within finance costs. The carrying amount 
capitalised in oil and gas properties is depreciated over the useful 
life of the related asset (refer to Note B.3).

Costs incurred that relate to an existing condition caused by  
past operations, and which do not have a future economic benefit, 
are expensed.

Employee benefits
Provision is made for employee benefits accumulated as a result 
of employees rendering services up to the end of the reporting 
period. These benefits include wages, salaries, annual leave and 
long service leave.

Liabilities in respect of employees’ services rendered that are not 
expected to be wholly settled within one year after the end of 
the period in which the employees render the related services are 
recognised as long-term employee benefits.

These liabilities are measured at the present value of the 
estimated future cash outflow to the employees using the 
projected unit credit method. Liabilities expected to be wholly 
settled within one year after the end of the period in which the 
employees render the related services are classified as short-term 
benefits and are measured at the amount due to be paid.

Onerous contract provision
Provision is made for loss-making contracts at the present value 
of the lower of the net cost of fulfilling and the cost arising from 
failure to fulfill each contract.

More closely connected global gas markets and the Group’s view 
of likely reduced margins available between North American and 
other gas markets, has given rise to a loss-making contract. 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 111

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2020

D.5  Provisions (cont.)

D.6  Other financial assets and liabilities

Key estimates and judgements 

(a) Restoration obligations
The Group estimates the future removal costs of offshore oil and gas 
platforms, production facilities, wells and pipelines at different stages 
of the development and construction of assets or facilities. In most 
instances, removal of assets occurs many years into the future.  
This requires judgemental assumptions regarding removal date, 
environmental legislation and regulations, the extent of restoration 
activities required, the engineering methodology for estimating cost, 
future removal technologies in determining the removal cost, and 
liability-specific discount rates to determine the present value of these 
cash flows. A range of pre-tax discount rates between 0.1% and 2% has 
been applied. If the discount rates were decreased by 0.5% then the 
provision would be $146 million higher. The proportion of the non-current 
balance not expected to be settled within 10 years is 73% (2019: 76%). 

(b) Long service leave
Long service leave is measured at the present value of benefits 
accumulated up to the end of the reporting period. The liability is 
discounted using an appropriate discount rate. Management uses 
judgement to determine key assumptions used in the calculation 
including future increases in salaries and wages, future on-cost rates 
and future settlement dates of employees’ departures.

(c) Legal case outcomes
Provisions for legal cases are measured at the present value of the 
amount expected to settle the claim. Management is required to 
use judgement when assessing the likely outcome of legal cases, 
estimating the risked amount and whether a provision or contingent 
liability should be recognised.

(d) Onerous contracts
The onerous contract provision assessment requires management 
to make certain estimates regarding the unavoidable costs and the 
expected economic benefits from the contract. These estimates 
require significant management judgement and are subject to risk and 
uncertainty, and hence changes in economic conditions can affect the 
assumptions. The present value of the provision was estimated using 
the assumptions set out below:

•  Contract term – 20 years; the provision is released as contract 

deliveries are made from 2020 to 2040.

•  Discount rate – a pre-tax, risk free US government bond rate  

of 1.390% has been applied.

•  LNG pricing – forecast sales and purchase prices are subject to 
a number of price markers. Price assumptions are derived from 
long-term views of global supply and demand, building upon past 
experience of the industry and consistent with external sources.  
The nominal Brent oil prices and Henry Hub gas prices used at  
31 December 2020 were: 

Brent (US$/bbl)
Henry Hub (US$/
MMBtu)

2021
50

2022
57

2023
62

2024
67

2025
72

3.1

3.1

2.6

2.7

3.3

The effects of changes to discount rate and long-term oil prices on the 
carrying value of the provision are estimated as follows:

Change in assumption
US$m
Discount rate: increase of 1%3
17
Discount rate: decrease of 1%3
(19)
Oil price1: increase of 10%
650
Oil price1: decrease of 10%
(650)
Gas price2 increase of 10%
(318)
Gas price2 decrease of 10%
318
1.  Long-term oil prices are based on US$65/bbl (2020 real terms) from 2025 

and prices are escalated at 2.0% onwards. 

2. Long-term gas prices are based on US$3.0/MMBtu (2020 real terms) from 
2025 to 2030 and thereafter, US$3.5/MMBtu (2020 real terms). All prices 
are escalated at 2.0%. 

3.  A change of 1% represents 100 basis points.

112 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Other financial assets 
Financial instruments at fair value through 
profit and loss

Derivative financial instruments designated 
as hedges
Other financial assets

Total other financial assets

Current
Non-current

Net carrying amount

Other financial liabilities 
Financial instruments at fair value through 
profit and loss

Derivative financial instruments designated 
as hedges
Other financial liabilities

Total other financial liabilities

Current
Non-current

Net carrying amount

Recognition and measurement
Other financial assets and liabilities

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

31
195 

226 

172 
54 

226 

68 
3 

71 

37 
34 

71 

 - 
63 

63 

28 
35 

63 

7 
20 

27 

12 
15 

27 

Receivables subject to provisional pricing adjustments are initially 
recognised at the transaction price and subsequently measured at 
fair value with movements recognised in the income statement. 

Derivative financial instruments 
Derivative financial instruments that are designated within 
qualifying hedge relationships are initially recognised at fair value  
on the date the contract is entered into. For relationships 
designated as fair value hedges, subsequent fair value movements 
of the derivative are recognised in the income statement.  
For relationships designated as cash flow hedges, subsequent 
fair value movements of the derivative for the effective portion 
of the hedge are recognised in other comprehensive income and 
accumulated in reserves in equity; fair value movements for the 
ineffective portion are recognised immediately in the income 
statement. Costs of hedging have been separated from the hedging 
arrangements and deferred to other comprehensive income and 
accumulated in reserves in equity. Amounts accumulated in equity 
are reclassified to the income statement in the periods when the 
hedged item affects profit or loss.

Fair value
Except for the other financial assets and other financial liabilities 
set out in this note, there are no material financial assets or 
financial liabilities carried at fair value. The fair value of derivative 
financial instruments is determined based on observable quoted 
forward pricing and swap rates and is classified as Level 2 on the 
fair value hierarchy. The fair values of other financial assets and 
other financial liabilities are predominantly determined based 
on observable quoted forward pricing and are predominantly 
classified as Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 31 December 2020NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2020

D.6  Other financial assets and liabilities (cont.)

D.7  Leases

Foreign exchange
The Group had no material other financial assets and liabilities 
denominated in currencies other than US dollars.

Derivatives and hedging activities
During the period, the Group hedged a percentage of its exposure 
to commodity price risk, entering into 13.4 million barrels of oil  
swap derivatives to achieve a minimum average sales price of  
$33 per barrel. The Group also entered into 7.9 million barrels of  
oil call options, to take advantage of increases in oil prices above  
$40 per barrel, for a premium of $37 million. Most of the derivatives 
settled between April 2020 and December 2020, with swaps and 
options for 1.3 million barrels of oil not yet settled as at period end. 
The swaps and call options were designated as cash flow hedges. 

The Group also has the following hedging relationships which are 
exposed to interest rate benchmarks impacted by the Interest Rate 
Benchmark Reform:

•  Interest rate swaps were entered into in the period to hedge 
the LIBOR interest rate risk associated with the $600 million 
syndicated facility (refer to Note C.2). The interest rate swaps 
were designated as cash flow hedges, converting the variable 
interest into fixed interest US dollar debt, and mature in 2027.

•  The Group has a fixed rate 175 million Swiss Franc (CHF) 

denominated medium term note, which it hedges with cross-
currency interest rate swaps designated in both fair value and 
cash flow hedge relationships. The cross-currency interest rate 
swaps are referenced to LIBOR.

For relationships designated as cash flow hedges, a loss for 
the period of $136 million has been recognised in the hedging 
reserve within equity and losses of $52 million have been 
reclassified to profit and loss. $1 million has been recognised  
in profit and loss for hedge ineffectiveness.

The Group early adopted AASB 2019-3 in the prior financial year. 
This Accounting Standard amended AASB 9 Financial Instruments 
(AASB 9) to provide temporary relief from applying specific 
hedge accounting requirements to hedge relationships directly 
affected by interest rate benchmark reforms. The relief provided 
by the amendment to AASB 9 allows the Group to assume that 
the interest rate benchmark component at initial designation is 
separately identifiable and that the interest rate benchmark rate is 
not altered for the purposes of assessing the economic relationship 
between the hedged item and the hedging instrument.

Key estimates and judgements

Fair value of other financial assets and liabilities
Estimates have been applied in the measurement of other financial 
assets and liabilities and, where required, judgement is applied in the 
settlement of any financial assets or liabilities. In the current period, 
this included a $12 million periodic adjustment which decreased other 
financial liabilities, reflecting the arrangements governing Wheatstone 
LNG sales (2019: $81 million). 

Marine 
vessels 
and 
Total 
carriers
US$m US$m US$m

Plant and 
equipment

Land and 
buildings
US$m

Lease assets
Year ended 31 December 2020
Carrying amount at 1 January 2020
Additions
Lease remeasurements
Depreciation

Carrying amount at 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2020
Historical cost
Accumulated depreciation 
and impairment

Net carrying amount

Lease liabilities
Year ended 31 December 2020
At 1 January 2020
Additions
Repayments (principal and interest)
Accretion of interest
Lease remeasurements 

Carrying amount at 31 December 2020

Current 
Non-current

Carrying amount at 31 December 2020

Lease assets
Year ended 31 December 2019
Carrying amount at 1 January 2019
Additions
Lease remeasurements
Depreciation

Carrying amount at 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2019
Historical cost
Accumulated depreciation 
and impairment

Net carrying amount

Lease liabilities
Year ended 31 December 2019
At 1 January 2019
Additions
Repayments (principal and interest)

Accretion of interest
Lease remeasurements 

Carrying amount at 31 December 2019

Current 
Non-current

Carrying amount at 31 December 2019

396 
24 
1 
(29)

392 

447 

(55)

392 

431 
24 
(34)
23 
40 

484 

16 
468 

484 

429 
1 
(8)
(26)

396 

430 

(34)

396 

444 
6 
(32)

23 
(10)

431 

9 
422 

431 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
3 
- 
- 
- 

3 

1 
2 

3 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

552 
102 
4 
(66)

592 

948 
126 
5 
(95)

984 

718 

1,165 

(126)

(181)

592 

984 

739 
107 
(123)
63 
5 

1,170 
134 
(157)
86 
45 

791 

1,278 

77 
714 

94 
1,184 

791 

1,278 

600 
12 
- 
(60)

1,029 
13 
(8)
(86)

552 

948 

612 

1,042 

(60)

552 

(94)

948 

758 
12 
(98)

66 
1 

1,202 
18 
(130)

89 
(9)

739 

1,170 

60 
679 

69 
1,101 

739 

1,170 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 113

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
for the year ended 31 December 2020

D.7  Leases (cont.)

Recognition and measurement
When a contract is entered into, the Group assesses whether 
the contract contains a lease. A lease arises when the Group 
has the right to direct the use of an identified asset which is  
not substitutable and to obtain substantially all economic 
benefits from the use of the asset throughout the period of use. 
The leases recognised by the Group predominantly relate to 
LNG vessels and property.

The Group separates the lease and non-lease components of 
the contract and accounts for these separately. The Group 
allocates the consideration in the contract to each component 
on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices.

Leases as a lessee
Lease assets and lease liabilities are recognised at the lease 
commencement date, which is when the assets are available 
for use. The assets are initially measured at cost, which is the 
present value of future lease payments adjusted for any lease 
payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any 
make-good obligations and initial direct costs incurred.

Lease assets are depreciated using the straight-line  
method over the shorter of their useful life and the lease  
term. Refer to Note B.3 for the useful lives of assets. Periodic 
adjustments are made for any re-measurements of the lease 
assets and for impairment losses, assessed in accordance with 
the Group’s impairment policies. 

Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value 
of future minimum lease payments, discounted using the 
Group’s incremental borrowing rate if the rate implicit in the 
lease cannot be readily determined, and are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate. 
Minimum lease payments are fixed payments or index-based 
variable payments incorporating the Group’s expectations of 
extension options and do not include non-lease components of 
a contract. A portfolio approach was taken when determining 
the implicit discount rate for five LNG vessels with similar terms 
and conditions on transition.

The lease liability is remeasured when there are changes in 
future lease payments arising from a change in rates, index or 
lease terms from exercising an extension or termination option. 
A corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of 
the lease assets, with any excess recognised in the consolidated 
income statement.

There are no restrictions placed upon the lessee by entering 
into these leases.

Short-term leases and leases of low value 
Short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less) and leases 
of low value assets are recognised as incurred as an expense in 
the consolidated income statement. Low value assets comprise 
plant and equipment. 

Foreign exchange risk
The Group held $518 million of lease liabilities at 31 December 
2020 (2019: $461 million) in currencies other than the US dollar 
(predominantly Australian dollars).

114 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Maturity profile of lease liabilities
The table below presents the contractual undiscounted cash flows 
associated with the Group’s lease liabilities, representing principal 
and interest. The figures will not necessarily reconcile with the 
amounts disclosed in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Due for payment in:
1 year or less
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years
More than 5 years

2020
US$m

 184 
 181 
 180 
 174 
 174 
 994 
 1,887 

2019
US$m

 154 
 154 
 150 
 149 
 148 
 1,045 
 1,800 

Lease commitments
The table below presents the contractual undiscounted cash flows 
associated with the Group's future lease commitments for non-
cancellable leases not yet commenced, representing principal  
and interest. 

Due for payment:
Within one year
After one year but not more than five years
Later than five years

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

90 
365 
45 
500 

24 
130 
73 
227 

Payments of $101 million (2019: $64 million) for short-term 
leases (lease term of 12 months or less) and payments of  
$17 million (2019: $14 million) for leases of low value assets 
were expensed in the consolidated income statement.

The Group has short-term and low value lease commitments 
for marine vessels and carriers, property, drill rigs and plant and 
equipment contracted for, but not provided for in the financial 
statements, of $94 million (2019: $74 million).

Key estimates and judgements

(a) Control
Judgement is required to assess whether a contract is or contains a 
lease at inception by assessing whether the Group has the right to 
direct the use of the identified asset and obtain substantially all the 
economic benefits from the use of that asset.

(b) Lease term
Judgement is required when assessing the term of the lease and 
whether to include optional extension and termination periods. 
Option periods are only included in determining the lease term  
at inception when they are reasonably certain to be exercised.  
Lease terms are reassessed when a significant change in 
circumstances occurs. On this basis, possible additional lease 
payments amounting to $1,670 million (2019: $1,768 million)  
were not included in the measurement of lease liabilities.

(c) lnterest in joint arrangements 
Judgement is required to determine the Group's rights and obligations for 
lease contracts within joint operations, to assess whether lease liabilities 
are recognised gross (100%) or in proportion to the Group’s participating 
interest in the joint operation. This includes an evaluation of whether the 
lease arrangement contains a sublease with the joint operation.

(d) Discount rates
Judgement is required to determine the discount rate, where the discount 
rate is the Group’s incremental borrowing rate if the rate implicit in the 
lease cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is 
determined with reference to the Group's borrowing portfolio at the 
inception of the arrangement or the time of the modification. 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

In this section

This section addresses information on items which require disclosure to comply with Australian Accounting Standards and the Australian 
Corporations Act 2001, however are not considered critical in understanding the financial performance or position of the Group.  
This section includes Group structure information and other disclosures. 

E.

E.1

E.2

E.3

E.4

E.5

E.6

E.7

E.8

E.9

Other items

Contingent liabilities and assets

Employee benefits

Related party transactions

Auditor remuneration

Events after the end of the reporting period

Joint arrangements

Parent entity information

Subsidiaries

Other accounting policies

Page 116

Page 116

Page 118

Page 118

Page 118

Page 118

Page 119

Page 120

Page 122

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 115

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

E.1  Contingent liabilities and assets

(b) Compensation of key management personnel 

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

Key management personnel (KMP) compensation for the financial 
year was as follows:

Contingent liabilities at reporting date
Not otherwise provided for in the 
financial statements:
Contingent liabilities
Guarantees

587 
10 
597 

505 
9 
514 

Contingent liabilities relate predominantly to possible obligations 
whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-
occurrence of uncertain future events, and therefore the Group 
has not provided for such amounts in these financial statements. 
Additionally, there are a number of other claims and possible claims 
that have arisen in the course of business against entities in the 
Group, the outcome of which cannot be estimated at present and 
for which no amounts have been included in the table above.

Included in the table above are contingent payments totalling  
$450 million (31 December 2019: $450 million) that are due on 
a positive final investment decision to develop the Scarborough 
field and the contingent payments of up to $100 million on the 
Sangomar development, dependant on commodity prices and  
the timing of first oil (refer to Note B.5 for more details).

Additionally, the Group has issued guarantees relating to workers’ 
compensation liabilities. 

There were no contingent assets as at 31 December 2020 or  
31 December 2019.

E.2  Employee benefits

(a) Employee benefits 

Employee benefits

Share-based payments
Defined contribution plan costs
Defined benefit plan expense

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

252 

19 
27 
2 
300 

246 

21 
28 
1 
296 

Employee benefits for the reporting period are as follows:

Recognition and measurement 
The Group’s accounting policy for employee benefits other than 
superannuation is set out in Note D.5. The policy relating to share-
based payments is set out in Note E.2(c). 

All employees of the Group are entitled to benefits on retirement, 
disability or death from the Group’s superannuation plan.  
The majority of employees are party to a defined contribution 
scheme and receive fixed contributions from Group companies 
and the Group’s legal or constructive obligation is limited to 
these contributions. Contributions to defined contribution funds 
are recognised as an expense as they become payable. Prepaid 
contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash 
refund or a reduction in the future payment is available.  
The Group also operates a defined benefit superannuation 
scheme, the membership of which is now closed. The net defined 
benefit plan asset at 31 December 2020 was $19 million  
(2019: $18 million).

116 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments
Long-term employee benefits
Termination benefits

2020
US$

2019
US$

5,868,476
63,805
7,201,653
515,585
390,087
14,039,606

6,416,430 
71,137 
7,253,672 
281,882 
-
14,023,121 

(c) Share plans 

The Group provides benefits to its employees (including KMP)  
in the form of share-based payments whereby employees render 
services for shares (equity-settled transactions).

Woodside equity plan (WEP) and supplementary 
Woodside equity plan (SWEP)
The WEP is available to all permanent employees, but since 1 January 
2018 has excluded EIS participants. The number of Equity Rights 
(ERs) offered to each eligible employee is calculated with reference to 
salary and performance. The linking of performance to an allocation 
allows the Group to recognise and reward eligible employees for 
high performance. The ERs have no further ongoing performance 
conditions after allocation, and do not require participants to make 
any payment in respect of the ERs at grant or at vesting. 

Each ER relating to the WEP for 2018 and prior years entitles the 
participant to receive a Woodside share on a vesting date three 
years after the grant date. From the 2019 WEP onwards, 75% of the 
ERs offered to each participant will vest three years after the grant 
date, with the remaining 25% vesting five years after the grant date.

The SWEP award is available to employees identified as being retention 
critical. Each ER entitles the participant to receive a Woodside share on 
the vesting date three years after the effective grant date. Participants 
do not make any payment in respect of the ERs at grant or at vesting.

Executive incentive plans (EIP) 
The EIP operated as Woodside’s Executive incentive framework 
until the end of 2017, after which the Board introduced the EIS. 
The EIP was used to deliver short-term award (STA) and long-
term award (LTA) to Senior Executives.

Short-term awards (STA) 
STAs were delivered in the form of restricted shares to executives, 
including all executive KMP. There are no further performance 
conditions for vesting of deferred STA. Participants are not required 
to make any payments in respect of STA awards at grant or at 
vesting. Restricted shares entitle their holders to receive dividends. 

Long-term awards (LTA) 
LTAs were granted in the form of Variable Pay Rights (VPRs) to 
executives, including all executive KMP. Vesting of LTA is subject 
to achievement of relative total shareholder return (RTSR) targets, 
with 33% measured against the ASX 50 and the remaining 67% 
tested against an international group of oil and gas companies. 

Participants are not entitled to receive dividends and are not 
required to make any payments in respect of LTA awards at grant 
or at vesting.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

E.2  Employee benefits (cont.)

Executive incentive scheme (EIS)
The EIS was introduced for the 2018 performance year for all 
executives including executive KMP. The EIS is delivered in the form 
of a cash incentive, Restricted Shares and Performance Rights. The 
grant date of the Restricted Shares and Performance Rights has been 
determined to be subsequent to the performance year, being the date 
of the Board of Directors’ approval. Accordingly, the 2020 Restricted 
Shares and Performance Rights have not been included in the table 
below as they have not been approved as at 31 December 2020.  
An expense related to the 2020 performance year has been estimated 
for Restricted Shares and Performance Rights, using fair value 
estimates based on inputs at 31 December 2020.

The Restricted Shares and Performance Rights relating to the 2019 
performance year were granted on 12 February 2020 and have 
been included in the table below. The expense estimated as at 
31 December 2019 in relation to the 2019 performance year was 
updated to the fair value on grant date during the period.

Recognition and measurement 
All compensation under WEP, SWEP and executive share plans  
is accounted for as share-based payments to employees for 
services provided. The cost of equity-settled transactions with 
employees is measured by reference to the fair values of the equity 

Year ended 31 December 2020
Opening balance
Granted during the year1,2
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Awards at 31 December 2020

Fair value of awards granted during the year

Year ended 31 December 2019

Opening balance
Granted during the year1,2
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year
Awards at 31 December 2019

instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value  
of share-based payments is recognised, together with the 
corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the 
vesting conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the 
relevant employee becomes fully entitled to the shares. At each 
balance sheet date, the Group reassesses the number of awards 
that are expected to vest based on service conditions. The expense 
recognised each year takes into account the most recent estimate. 

The fair value of the benefit provided for the WEP and SWEP  
is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing technique.  
The fair value of the restricted shares is estimated as the closing 
share price at grant date. The fair value of the benefit provided for 
the RTSR VPRs was estimated using the Binomial or Black-Scholes 
option pricing technique combined with a Monte Carlo simulation 
methodology, where relevant, using historical volatility to estimate 
the volatility of the share price in the future.

The number of awards and movements for all share plans are 
summarised as follows:

Number of awards

Employee plans

Executive plans

WEP

SWEP Short-term awards3

Long-term awards3

6,911,551 
1,127,546 
(1,943,777)
(476,717)

5,618,603 

US$m

13 

17,678 
-
(17,678)
-

-

US$m

-

867,716 
373,774 
(257,489)
(8,706)

975,295 

US$m

9 

2,704,143 
617,091 
(242,608)
(280,321)

2,798,305 

US$m

12 

Number of awards

Employee plans

Executive plans

WEP

SWEP Short-term awards3

Long-term awards3

6,325,364 
2,537,991 
(1,645,915)
(305,889)
6,911,551 

US$m

17,678 
-
-
-
17,678 

US$m

813,968 
417,166 
(338,537)
(24,881)
867,716 

2,545,915 
731,799 
(212,694)
(360,877)
2,704,143 

US$m

US$m

Fair value of awards granted during the year
1.  For the purpose of valuation, the share price on grant date for the 2020 WEP allocations was $12.57 (2019: $21.72).
2.  For the purpose of valuation, the share price on grant date for the 2020 Restricted Shares was $22.76 (2019: $24.71) and the 2020 Performance Rights was $15.81 (2019: $16.87).
3.  Includes awards issued under EIP and EIS.

10 

47 

15 

-

For more detail on these share plans and performance rights issued to KMPs, refer to the Remuneration Report on pages 59-82.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 117

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

E.3  Related party transactions

(b) Interest percentage in joint operations

Transactions with directors 
There were no transactions with directors during the year. Key 
management personnel compensation is disclosed in Note E.2(b).

E.4  Auditor remuneration

The auditor of Woodside Petroleum Ltd is Ernst & Young (EY).

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Amounts received or due and receivable to:
Ernst & Young (Australia)
Audit of the financial reports of the Group and
controlled entities
Other assurance and agreed-upon procedures 
services
Other services

Other overseas member firms of Ernst & Young 
(Australia)
Audit of the financial reports of controlled entities
Other assurance and agreed-upon procedures 
services
Other services

Producing and developing assets
Oceania

North West Shelf
Greater Enfield and Vincent
Stybarrow
Balnaves
Pluto
Wheatstone

Africa

Senegal1

1,521 

1,574 

Exploration and evaluation assets
Oceania

110
164
1,795

165

30
14
209

276
298
2,148

193

192
14
399

Browse Basin
Carnarvon Basin2,3
Bonaparte Basin

Africa

Congo4
Senegal1
The Americas

Peru5
Kitimat

Asia

Republic of Korea
Myanmar6

Group Interest %

2020

2019

12.5 - 50.0
60.0 
50.0 
65.0 
90.0 
13.0 - 65.0

12.5 - 50.0
60.0 
50.0 
65.0 
90.0 
13.0 - 65.0

68.3 

35.0 

30.6 
15.8 - 73.5
26.7 - 35.0

30.6 
15.8 - 90.0
26.7 - 35.0

42.5 
75.0 

-
50.0 

-
35.0 

35.0 
50.0 

50.0 
40.0 - 50.0

50.0 
40.0 - 50.0

E.5  Events after the end of the reporting period

•  On 10 February 2021, the Group redeemed the $700 million  

Europe

2021 US bond (refer to Note C.2 for more details).

•  Woodside is monitoring the situation in Myanmar following 
the political developments that occurred subsequent to the 
reporting period. It is not currently possible to determine the 
impact, if any, of these events on the carrying value of the 
Group’s Myanmar exploration and evaluation assets.

Ireland
Bulgaria

90.0 
30.0 
1.  Includes the acquisition of Cairn’s 36.44% participating interest in the RSSD Joint 
Venture, increasing Woodside’s interest to 68.33% in the exploitation area and 
75% in the exploration area. Following the completion of the acquisition of FAR’s 
interest in the RSSD Joint Venture, Woodside’s participating interest will increase 
to 82% in the exploitation area and 90% in the exploration area (refer to Note B.5 
for more details).

90.0 
30.0 

E.6  Joint arrangements

(a) Interest percentage in joint ventures

Entity 

North West Shelf Gas 
Pty Ltd

North West Shelf Liaison 
Company Pty Ltd

China Administration 
Company Pty Ltd
North West Shelf Shipping 
Service Company Pty Ltd
North West Shelf Lifting 
Coordinator Pty Ltd

Principal activity
Marketing services for 
ventures in the sale of gas 
to the domestic market. 
Liaison for ventures in 
the sale of LNG to the 
Japanese market. 
Marketing services for 
ventures in the sale of LNG 
to international markets. 
LNG vessel fleet advisor. 

Coordinator for venturers 
for all equity liftings.

2.  Scarborough is included in the Carnarvon Basin.
3.  Titles surrendered for WA-271-P, WA-428-P and WA-483-P, title transferred for 
WA-520-P in 2020 and title surrendered for WA-430-P (Ragnar/Toro) and then 
converted to retention leases WA-93-R and WA-94-R in 2020.

4.  Production Sharing Contract awarded in 2020. Woodside holds a 42.5% working 

interest in Congo Marine XX.

Group Interest %

2020

2019

5.  Expiration of Block 108 licence in 2020.
6.  Expiration of licence for Myanmar Blocks AD-6 in 2020.

The principal activities of the joint operations above are 
exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons.

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

 16.67 

Key estimates and judgements 

Accounting for interests in other entities 
Judgement is required in assessing the level of control obtained in a 
transaction to acquire an interest in another entity; depending upon the 
facts and circumstances in each case, Woodside may obtain control, 
joint control or significant influence over the entity or arrangement. 
Judgement is applied when determining the relevant activities of a 
project and if joint control is held over them. 

Relevant activities include, but are not limited to, work program and 
budget approval, investment decision approval, voting rights in joint 
operating committees, amendments to permits and changes to joint 
arrangement participant holdings. Transactions which give Woodside 
control of a business are business combinations. If Woodside obtains 
joint control of an arrangement, judgement is also required to assess 
whether the arrangement is a joint operation or a joint venture.  
If Woodside has neither control nor joint control, it may be in a  
position to exercise significant influence over the entity, which is  
then accounted for as an associate.

118 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

E.6  Joint arrangements (cont.)

E.7  Parent entity information

Recognition and measurement 
Joint arrangements are arrangements in which two or more 
parties have joint control. Joint control is the contractual agreed 
sharing of control of the arrangement which exists only when 
decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent 
of the parties sharing control. Joint arrangements are classified as 
either a joint operation or joint venture, based on the rights and 
obligations arising from the contractual obligations between the 
parties to the arrangement. 

To the extent the joint arrangement provides the Group with 
rights to the individual assets and obligations arising from the joint 
arrangement, the arrangement is classified as a joint operation, and 
as such the Group recognises its:

•  assets, including its share of any assets held jointly; 

•  liabilities, including its share of any liabilities incurred jointly; 

•  revenue from the sale of its share of the output arising from  

the joint operation; 

•  share of revenue from the sale of the output by the joint 

operation; and 

•  expenses, including its share of any expenses incurred jointly. 

To the extent the joint arrangement provides the Group with 
rights to the net assets of the arrangement, the investment  
is classified as a joint venture and accounted for using the  
equity method.

Joint arrangements acquired which are deemed to be carrying  
on a business are accounted for applying the principles of AASB 3 
Business Combinations. Joint arrangements which are not deemed 
to be carrying on a business are treated as asset acquisitions. 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd:
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net Assets
Issued and fully paid shares
Shares reserved for employee share plans
Employee benefits reserve
Foreign currency translation reserve
Distributable profits reserve
Retained earnings

Total shareholders equity
Profit of parent entity
Total comprehensive income of parent entity

2020
US$m

444 
10,257 
-
(579)

10,122 
9,297 
(23)
117 
296 
462 
(27)

10,122 
852 
852 

2019
US$m

404 
9,949 
(133)
(484)

9,736 
9,010 
(39)
120 
296 
-
349 

9,736 
1,288 
1,288 

Guarantees 
Woodside Petroleum Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd (a subsidiary 
company) are parties to a Deed of Cross Guarantee as disclosed 
in Note E.8. The effect of the Deed is that Woodside Petroleum 
Ltd has guaranteed to pay any deficiency in the event of winding 
up of the subsidiary company under certain provisions of the 
Corporations Act 2001. The subsidiary company has also given 
a similar guarantee in the event that Woodside Petroleum Ltd is 
wound up.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd has guaranteed the discharge by a 
subsidiary company of its financial obligations under debt facilities 
disclosed in Note C.2. Woodside Petroleum Ltd has guaranteed 
certain obligations of subsidiaries to unrelated parties on behalf of 
their performance in contracts. No liabilities are expected to arise 
from these guarantees.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 119

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

Name of entity

Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd
 Woodside Technology Solutions Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd y

WelCap Insurance Pte Ltd y
Woodside Energy Shipping Singapore Pte Ltd y

Metasource Pty Ltd

Mermaid Sound Port and Marine Services Pty Ltd
Woodside Finance Limited
Woodside Petroleum (Timor Sea 19) Pty Ltd
Woodside Petroleum (Timor Sea 20) Pty Ltd
Woodside Petroleum Holdings Pty Ltd

Notes
(2,4,9) 
(2,4,11)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(2,4) 
(2,4)
(2,4) 
(2,4) 
(2,4) 
(2,4) 

1.  Woodside Petroleum Ltd is the ultimate holding company and the head entity within the 

tax consolidated group.

2.  These companies were members of the tax consolidated group at 31 December 2020.
3.  Pursuant to ASIC Instrument 2016/785, relief has been granted to the controlled entity, 

Woodside Energy Ltd, from the Corporations Act 2001 requirements for the preparation, 
audit and publication of accounts. As a condition of the Instrument, Woodside Petroleum 
Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd are parties to a Deed of Cross Guarantee.

4.  All subsidiaries are wholly owned except those referred to in Notes 5, 6, 7 and 8.
5.  Kansai Electric Power Australia Pty Ltd and Tokyo Gas Pluto Pty Ltd each hold a 5% interest 

in the shares of these subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are controlled.

6.  As at 31 December 2020, Woodside Energy Holdings Pty Ltd held a 99.99% interest in 
the shares of Woodside Energy (Tanzania) Limited and Woodside Energy Ltd held the 
remaining 0.01% interest.

7.  As at 31 December 2020, Woodside Energy Holdings (South America) Pty Ltd held a 

99.99% interest in the shares of Woodside Energia (Brasil) Apoio Administrativo Ltda and 
Woodside Energy Ltd held the remaining 0.01% interest. 

8.  As at 31 December 2020, Woodside Energy International (Canada) Limited and Woodside 
Energy (Canada LNG) Limited were the general partners of the KM LNG Operating General 
Partnership holding a 99.99% and 0.01% partnership interest, respectively.

9.  Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd owns 30% in Blue Ocean Seismic Services Limited 

which is accounted for as an investment in associate.

10. Woodside Energy Services (Qingdao) Co Ltd was incorporated on 16 July 2020.
11.  Woodside Technology Solutions Pty Ltd was incorporated on 27 August 2020.

All subsidiaries were incorporated in Australia unless identified 
with one of the following symbols:

  The Netherlands ¥  Tanzania

l	Brazil
n	Cameroon z	New Zealand
t  Canada
£  France

y	Singapore
º	Spain

p England and Wales
q USA
 China

Classification
Subsidiaries are all the entities over which the Group has the 
power over the investee such that the Group is able to direct  
the relevant activities, has exposure, or rights, to variable returns 
from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to  
use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the 
investor’s returns. 

E.8  Subsidiaries

(a) Subsidiaries

Name of entity

Ultimate Parent Entity
Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Subsidiaries

Company name
Woodside Energy Ltd

Woodside Browse Pty Ltd
Woodside Burrup Pty Ltd

Burrup Facilities Company Pty Ltd
Burrup Train 1 Pty Ltd
Pluto LNG Pty Ltd
Woodside Burrup Train 2 A Pty Ltd
Woodside Burrup Train 2 B Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (LNG Fuels and Power) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Domestic Gas) Pty Ltd

Woodside Energy (Algeria) Pty Ltd

Woodside Energy Australia Asia Holdings Pte Ltd y

Woodside Energy Holdings International Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy Mediterranean Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy International (Canada) Limited t

Woodside Energy (Canada LNG) Limited t
Woodside Energy (Canada PTP) Limited t
KM LNG Operating General Partnership t

KM LNG Operating Ltd t

Woodside Energy Holdings Pty Ltd

Woodside Energy Holdings (USA) Inc q

Woodside Energy (USA) Inc q

Gryphon Exploration Company q
Woodside Energy (Cameroon) SARL n
Woodside Energy (Gabon) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Indonesia) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Indonesia II) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Indonesia III) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Ireland) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Korea) Pte Ltd y
Woodside Energy (Korea II) Pte Ltd y
Woodside Energy (Myanmar) Pte Ltd y
Woodside Energy (Morocco) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (New Zealand) Limited z
Woodside Energy (New Zealand 55794) Limited z
Woodside Energy (Peru) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Senegal) Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Tanzania) Limited ¥

Woodside Energy Holdings II Pty Ltd

Woodside Power Pty Ltd

Woodside Power (Generation) Pty Ltd

Woodside Energy Holdings (South America) Pty Ltd

Woodside Energia (Brasil) Apoio Administrativo Ltda l 

Woodside Energy Holdings (UK) Pty Ltd 
Woodside Energy (UK) Limited p

Woodside Energy Finance (UK) Limited p
Woodside Energy (Congo) Limited p
Woodside Energy (Bulgaria) Limited p
Woodside Energy Holdings (Senegal) Limited p

Woodside Energy (Senegal) B.V.

Woodside Energy (France) SAS £
Woodside Energy Iberia S.A. º
Woodside Energy (N.A.) Ltd p

Notes

(1,2,3) 

(2,3,4) 
(2,4) 
(2,4) 
(5)
(5)
(5)
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4) 

(4)

(2,4) 
(2,4) 
(4) 
(4)
(4) 
(4,8) 
(4) 
(2,4) 
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(2,4) 
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4) 
(4)
(4)
(4)
(2,4) 
(4)
(4)
(2,4) 
(2,4) 
(6)
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4)
(2,4) 
(7)
(2,4) 
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4) 
(4) 
(4)
(4)
(4)

Woodside Energy Services (Qingdao) Co Ltd 

Woodside Energy Julimar Pty Ltd
Woodside Energy (Norway) Pty Ltd

(4,10)
(2,4) 
(2,4) 

120 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

E.8  Subsidiaries (cont.)

(b) Subsidiaries with material non-controlling interests 

The Group has two Australian subsidiaries with material  
non-controlling interests (NCI).

Name of entity

Burrup Facilities Company Pty Ltd
Burrup Train 1 Pty Ltd

Principal place of 
business

Australia
Australia

% held 
by NCI

10%
10%

The NCI in both subsidiaries is 10% held by the same parties  
(refer to Note E.8(a) footnote 5 for details). 

The summarised financial information (including consolidation 
adjustments but before intercompany eliminations) of subsidiaries 
with material NCI is as follows:

2020
 US$m 

2019
 US$m 

 Burrup Facilities Company Pty Ltd 
 Current assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Current liabilities 
 Non-current liabilities 

 Net assets 

 Accumulated balance of NCI 
 Revenue 
 Profit 

 Profit allocated to NCI 

 Dividends paid to NCI 
 Operating 
 Investing 
 Financing 

 425 
 5,224 
 (51)
 (571)

 5,027 

 503 
 859 
 318 

 32 

 (32)
 652 
 (69)
 (583)

 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

 - 

 Burrup Train 1 Pty Ltd 
 Current assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Current liabilities 
 Non-current liabilities 

 Net assets 

 Accumulated balance of NCI 
 Revenue 
 Profit 

 Profit allocated to NCI 

 Dividends paid to NCI 
 Operating 
 Investing 
 Financing 

 372 
 3,081 
 (103)
 (385)

 2,965 

 297 
 1,423 
 208 

 21 

 (13)
 473 
 (2)
 (471)

 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

 - 

423 
5,185 
(6)
(577)

5,025 

503 
718 
263 

26 

(48)
492 
(34)
(458)

-

371 
2,989 
(71)
(396)

2,893 

289 
1,189 
132 

13 

(32)
275 
(10)
(265)

-

(c) Deed of Cross Guarantee and Closed Group 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd are parties to 
a Deed of Cross Guarantee under which each company guarantees 
the debts of the other. By entering into the Deed, the entities have 
been granted relief from the Corporations Act 2001 requirements 
for the preparation, audit and publication of accounts, pursuant 
to ASIC Instrument 2016/785. The two entities represent a Closed 
Group for the purposes of the Instrument.

The consolidated income statement and statement of financial 
position of the members of the Closed Group are set out below:

Closed Group Consolidated Income Statement and 
Statement of Retained Earnings
Profit/(loss) before tax
Tax benefit

Profit/(loss) after tax
Retained earnings at the beginning of the financial year
Transfer of retained earnings to distributable profits 
reserve
Adoption of AASB 16 (net of tax)
Dividends

Retained earnings at the end of the financial year

Closed Group Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Other financial assets
Other assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets
Receivables
Inventories
Other financial assets
Exploration and evaluation assets
Oil and gas properties
Other plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Lease assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Payables
Other financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Provisions
Tax payable
Lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Provisions
Lease liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Issued and fully paid shares
Shares held for employee share plan
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Total equity

2020
US$m

2019
US$m

(3,195)
955 

(2,240)
3,579 

(710)
-
(518)

111 

131 
488 
46 
118 
20 

803 

29 
19 
31,771 
1,059 
2,688 
185 
580 
340 

3,471 
33 

3,504 
1,261 

-
3 
(1,189)

3,579 

93 
445 
62 
9 
18 

627 

23 
-
30,250 
1,634 
4,101 
176 
38 
360 

36,671 

36,582 

37,474 

37,209 

156 
46 
48 
261 
-
24 

535 

313 
22 
46 
238 
133 
17 

769 

24,570 
-
-
12 
1,272 
392 

20,974 
507 
15 
20 
1,143 
360 

26,246 

23,019 

26,781 

23,788 

10,693 

13,421 

9,297 
(23)
1,308 
111 

9,010 
(39)
871 
3,579 

10,693 

13,421 

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 121

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS E. OTHER ITEMS
for the year ended 31 December 2020

E.9  Other accounting policies

(c) New and amended accounting standards and interpretations 

adopted

The Group adopted AASB 2018-6 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – Definition of a Business as of 1 January 2020. 

The standard makes amendments to AASB 3 Business 
Combinations and provides a simplified assessment (including 
clarification of minimum requirements) of what represents 
a business, and introduces an optional ‘concentration test’, 
which limits the identification of a business to where there is a 
substantial concentration of fair value within a single asset or 
group of assets.

The Group applied the amended definition of a business to 
determine the accounting treatment of the significant production 
and growth asset acquisition completed during the period.  
The Group concluded that the transaction is an asset acquisition. 
For more details, refer to Note B.5.

A number of other new standards are also effective from 1 January 
2020 but they do not have a material effect on the Group's 
financial statements.

(a) Summary of other significant accounting policies 

Tax consolidation 
The parent and its wholly owned Australian controlled entities have 
elected to enter a tax consolidation, with Woodside Petroleum Ltd 
as the head entity of the tax consolidated group. The members of 
the tax consolidated group are identified in Note E.8(a). 

The tax expense/benefit, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax 
assets arising from temporary differences of the members of the 
tax consolidated group are recognised in the separate financial 
statements of the members of the tax consolidated group, using 
the stand-alone approach. 

Entities within the tax consolidated group have entered into a tax 
funding arrangement and a tax sharing agreement with the head 
entity. Under the tax funding agreement, Woodside Petroleum Ltd 
and each of the entities in the tax consolidated group have agreed to 
pay or receive a tax equivalent payment to or from the head entity, 
based on the current tax liability or current tax asset of the entity. 

The tax sharing agreement entered into between members of 
the tax consolidated group provides for the determination of the 
allocation of income tax liabilities between the entities, should the 
head entity default on its tax payment obligations. No amounts 
have been recognised in the financial statements in respect of 
this agreement as payment of any amounts under the tax sharing 
agreement is considered remote. 

(b)  New and amended accounting standards and interpretations 

issued but not yet effective

A number of new standards, amendments of standards and 
interpretations have recently been issued but are not yet effective 
and have not been adopted by the Group as at the financial 
reporting date.

The Group has reviewed these standards and interpretations and 
has determined that none of the new or amended standards will 
significantly affect the Group’s accounting policies, financial position 
or performance.

122 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

In accordance with a resolution of directors of Woodside Petroleum Ltd, we state that:

1.  In the opinion of the directors:

(a) the financial statements and notes thereto, and the disclosures included in the audited 2020 Remuneration Report, comply with 

Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001;

(b) the financial statements and notes thereto give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2020  

and of the performance of the Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2020;

(c)  the financial statements and notes thereto also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in the  

‘About these statements’ section within the notes to the 2020 Financial Statements;

(d) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable; 

and

(e) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the Closed Group identified in Note E.8 will be able to meet any 

obligations or liabilities which they are or may become subject to, by virtue of the Deed of Cross Guarantee.

2. This declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the directors in accordance with section 295A  

of the Corporations Act 2001 for the year ended 31 December 2020.

For and on behalf of the Board

R J Goyder, AO
Chairman 
Perth, Western Australia 
18 February 2021

P J Coleman
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director 
Perth, Western Australia 
18 February 2021

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 123

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT

Ernst & Young
11 Mounts Bay Road
Perth  WA  6000  Australia
GPO Box M939   Perth  WA  6843

Tel: +61 8 9429 2222
Fax: +61 8 9429 2436
ey.com/au

Independent auditor's report to the members of Woodside Petroleum 
Ltd 

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Opinion 

We have audited the financial report of Woodside Petroleum Ltd (the Company) and its subsidiaries 
(collectively the Group), which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 
December 2020, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows 
for the year then ended, notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant 
accounting policies, and the directors' declaration. 

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations 
Act 2001, including: 

a)

giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 31 December 2020 and of its 
financial performance for the year ended on that date. 

b)

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
report section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor 
independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the 
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional 
Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
the Code.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion. 

Key audit matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in 
our audit of the financial report of the current year. These matters were addressed in the context of 
our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, but we do not provide 
a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit 
addressed the matter is provided in that context. 

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial report section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit 
included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of 
material misstatement of the financial report. The results of our audit procedures, including the 
procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the 
accompanying financial report.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

124 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
 
 
Independent audit report (cont.)

1.

Impairment of oil and gas properties 

Why significant 
Australian Accounting Standards 
require the Group to assess whether 
there are any indicators that oil and 
gas properties may be impaired. If an 
indicator exists, the Group must 
estimate the recoverable amount of 
the asset.  
At 30 June 2020, the Group 
concluded that there were 
impairment indicators for all Cash 
Generating Units (CGUs) and 
impairment testing was undertaken. 
The principal indicators of 
impairment were the decline in oil 
price and deficit between the net 
assets and market capitalisation of 
the Company. 
The Group undertook impairment 
testing at 30 June 2020, and 
recognised an impairment expense 
of $3,712 million pertaining to oil 
and gas properties. Key 
assumptions, judgements and 
estimates, used in the formulation of 
the Group’s impairment of the oil and 
gas properties are disclosed in Note 
B.4. 
At 31 December 2020, the Group 
concluded that there were no 
impairment indicators present for 
any CGU. 
The assessment of indicators of 
impairment and reversal of 
impairment and the impairment 
testing process is complex and highly 
judgemental, and is based on 
assumptions which are impacted by 
expected future performance and 
market conditions. The recoverable 
amounts of the CGUs are also 
sensitive to changes in the key 
assumptions, judgements and 
estimates used. Accordingly, this 
matter was considered to be a key 
audit matter. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 
We evaluated the Group’s consideration of internal and external sources of 
information in assessing whether indicators of impairment or reversal of 
impairment existed.  
Where impairment indicators were present and impairment testing was 
conducted by the Group, we evaluated the assumptions and methodologies 
used by the Group and the estimates made in conducting this testing. In 
particular, we considered those judgements and estimates related to the 
determination of CGUs, the forecast cash flows and the inputs used to 
formulate those cash flows such as discount rates, reserves, inflation rates, 
operating costs, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices.  
We involved our valuations, modelling and economics specialists to assist in 
the impairment assessment for the audit. Our audit procedures were 
undertaken across all CGUs for which impairment indicators were identified. 
Specifically, we evaluated the discounted cash flow models and other data 
supporting the Group’s assessment. In doing so, we: 

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

considered future production profiles compared to reserves, current 
approved budgets and historical production, and ensured variations 
were in accordance with our expectations based upon other 
information obtained throughout the audit 
evaluated commodity prices with reference to contractual 
arrangements, market prices (where available), broker consensus, 
analyst views and historical performance 
evaluated discount rates, inflation rates and foreign exchange rates 
with reference to market prices (where available), market indices, 
broker consensus and historical performance 
compared future operating and development expenditure to current 
sanctioned budgets, historical expenditure and ensured variations 
were in accordance with our expectations based upon other 
information obtained throughout the audit 
evaluated how the Group’s response to climate risk has been reflected 
in the assessment of the recoverable amount of the CGUs 
assessed whether the impairment charge recorded in the financial 
statements agreed to the underlying impairment testing models 
assessed the impact of changes to key assumptions on the recoverable 
amount of the CGUs 
tested the mathematical accuracy of the discounted cash flow models 
and the sensitivity analysis.  

We used the work of the Group’s internal experts with respect to the 
hydrocarbon reserve estimates used in the Group’s impairment testing. This 
included understanding the reserve estimation processes carried out, the 
Group’s internal certification process for technical and commercial experts 
who are responsible for reserves, the design of the Group’s Petroleum 
Resources Management procedures and its alignment with the guidelines 
prepared by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. We also examined the 
competence and objectivity of the Group’s internal and external experts and 
the scope and appropriateness of their work.  
We also considered the adequacy of the financial report disclosures 
regarding the assumptions, key estimates and judgements applied by 
management for the Group’s impairment assessments, and in respect of 
sensitivity analysis for CGUs impaired. These disclosures are included in Note 
B.4. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 125

 
 
 
 
Independent audit report (cont.)

2.

Impairment assessment of exploration and evaluation (E&E) assets  

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The impairment testing process for E&E assets 
commences with an assessment against indicators of 
impairment under Australian Accounting Standard - 
AASB 6 Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral 
Resources. If there is an indication that an E&E asset 
may be impaired, the Group is required to estimate 
the recoverable amount of the asset. 

At 30 June 2020, the Group identified impairment 
indicators in respect of a number of E&E assets. 
Impairment testing was undertaken which resulted in 
an impairment charge of $1,557 million being 
recorded. 

At 31 December 2020, the Group concluded that 
there were no impairment indicators present for any 
recognised E&E assets. 

The key assumptions, judgements and estimates used 
in the formulation of the Group’s impairment 
assessment of E&E assets, and those used in the 
determination of the recoverable amount of E&E 
assets for which indicators of impairment were 
present, are set out in Note B.4 of the financial 
report. 

The assessment of indicators of impairment and, 
where required, the determination of recoverable 
amount, is complex and highly judgemental. 
Accordingly, this matter was considered to be a key 
audit matter. 

We assessed the impairment analysis prepared by the 
Group, evaluating the assumptions and 
methodologies used and the estimates made. Our 
audit procedures included the following: 

• Considered the Group’s right to explore in the 
relevant exploration area which included 
obtaining and assessing supporting 
documentation such as license agreements and 
correspondence with relevant government 
agencies 

• Considered the Group’s intention to carry out 

substantive E&E activity in the relevant 
exploration area, or plans to move the asset into 
development. This included assessment of the 
Group’s approved budgets and cashflow forecasts 
for evidence of planned future activity, and 
enquiries with senior management as to the 
intentions and strategy of the Group 

• Considered the Group’s assessment of the 

commercial viability of results relating to E&E 
activities carried out in the relevant license area 

• Assessed the Group’s ability to finance both 

planned future E&E activity and asset 
development plans 

• Assessed the capabilities of management’s 

internal experts for the purposes of estimating 
the potential resources associated with E&E 
assets 

• Assessed, in conjunction with our valuation 
specialists, the key assumptions used in the 
determination of the recoverable value of the E&E 
asset, with reference to market information 
where available 

• Assessed whether the impairment charge 

recorded in the financial statements agreed to the 
Group’s assessment of the recoverable amount. 

We also considered the adequacy of the financial 
report disclosure of the assumptions, key estimates 
and judgements applied by management for the 
Group’s assessment of impairment of E&E assets. 
These have been disclosed in Notes B.2 and B.4 of the 
financial report. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

126 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
 
 
Independent audit report (cont.)

3. Accounting for petroleum resources rent tax (PRRT) deferred tax assets 

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group 
include deferred tax assets arising from PRRT. The 
determination of the quantum, likelihood and timing 
of the realisation of deferred tax assets arising from 
PRRT is highly judgemental and is assessed on a basis 
consistent with the impairment assessment set out 
above, as well as other factors such as the long term 
bond rate applied to the augmentation of deductible 
expenditure. As such, this matter was considered to 
be a key audit matter. 

The Group’s disclosures about PRRT are included in 
the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 
A.5 of the financial report. 

We considered the application of the judgements and 
methodologies used by the Group to calculate the 
deferred tax assets arising from PRRT and estimate 
their utilisation in the future. In particular, we 
assessed those judgements and methodologies 
relating to the estimation of future PRRT assessable 
profits, the interpretation of PRRT legislation and the 
consistency in application of forecast performance 
with other forecasts made, including cash flow 
modelling for impairment purposes. 

We also considered the adequacy of the financial 
report disclosures regarding PRRT included in Note 
A.5 of the financial report. 

Information other than the financial report and auditor’s report thereon 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the 
information included in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2020, but does 
not include the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon, with the exception of the Remuneration Report 
and our related assurance opinion.  

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial 
report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a 
true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 
and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the 
financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 127

 
 
 
Independent audit report (cont.)

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that 
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report. 

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional 
judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

► Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to 

fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit 
evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override 
of internal control. 

► Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.  

► Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made by the directors. 

► Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting 

and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events 
or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s 
report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to 
modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of 
our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to 
continue as a going concern.  

► Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the 

disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in 
a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of 
the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we 
identify during our audit. 

We also provide the directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other 
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions 
taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

128 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

 
 
Independent audit report (cont.)

From the matters communicated to the directors, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the financial report of the current year and are therefore the key audit 
matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public 
disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter 
should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would 
reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication. 

Report on the audit of the Remuneration Report 

Opinion on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 62 to 81 of the directors' report for the 
year ended 31 December 2020. 

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Woodside Petroleum Ltd for the year ended 31 December 
2020, complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Responsibilities 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the 
Remuneration Report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in 
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. 

Ernst & Young 

T S Hammond 
Partner 
Perth 
18 February 2021 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Financial Statements 129

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
I
T
A
M
R
O
F
N

I

R
E
D
L
O
H
E
R
A
H
S

N SHAREHOLDER 

STATISTICS

as at February 3 2021

Number of shareholdings
There were 276,431 shareholders. All issued shares carry voting rights on a one-for-one basis.

Distribution of shareholdings

Size of shareholding

1–1,000

1,001–5,000

5,001–10,000

10,001–100,000

Greater than 100,000

Total

Number  
of holders

191,637

73,894

7,422

3,361

117

Number  
of shares

71,853,874

156,004,394

51,986,464

66,118,652

616,262,430

276,431

962,225,814

% of issued  
capital

7.47

16.21

5.40

6.87

64.05

100.00

Unmarketable parcels
There were 3,843 members holding less than a marketable parcel of shares in the company.

Twenty largest shareholders

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

National Nominees Limited

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

Shares  
Held

% of 
issued  
capital

267,141,449

27.76

136,302,919

75,771,197

23,752,017

23,267,393

14,244,989

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

6,048,324

Pacific Custodians Pty Limited 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

Netwealth Investments Limited 

Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd Hub24 Custodial Serv Ltd 

McCusker Holdings Pty Ltd

Pacific Custodians Pty Limited 

Argo Investments Limited

Navigator Australia Ltd 

Netwealth Investments Limited 

AMP Life Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited-Gsco Eca

6,038,074

5,396,858

4,444,170

3,699,601

3,354,652

3,319,608

1,945,000

1,733,452

1,700,873

1,604,852

1,579,934

1,467,902

1,439,408

Total

584,252,672

60.72

Substantial shareholders as disclosed in substantial shareholder notices given  
to the company are as follows:

Vanguard Group (Vanguard Group Inc. (USA) and subsidiaries) 

56,772,669

6.02

Vanguard Group's substantial shareholder notice was given on 31 October 2019. There has been no notice of a 
change of interest of the substantial shareholder since that date.

Blackrock Group (Blackrock Inc. and subsidiaries)

57,411,550 

6.09

Blackrock Group’s substantial shareholder notice was given on 30 May 2019. There has been no notice of a change of interest of 
the substantial shareholder since that date.

14.17

7.87

2.47

2.42

1.48

0.63

0.63

0.56

0.46

0.38

0.35

0.34

0.20

0.18

0.18

0.17

0.16

0.15

0.15

 
Annual General Meeting
The 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Woodside 
Petroleum Ltd will be held at 2.00 pm (AWST) on Thursday, 
15 April 2021. Details of the business of the meeting will be 
provided in the AGM notice. The AGM will be webcast live on the 
internet. An archived version of the webcast will be placed on 
the Woodside website to enable the proceedings to be viewed 
at a later time.

Shareholders must make an election to alter their dividend 
currency by the business day after the record date for the dividend.

Shareholders who reside outside the USA, the UK and Australia 
may elect to receive their dividend electronically in their local 
currency using the share registry’s Global Wire Payment 
Service. For a list of currencies offered and how to subscribe to 
the service, please contact the share registry.

  Refer to Woodside’s website for copies of the Chairman’s 
and CEO’s speeches (www.woodside.com.au).

  Refer to Woodside’s website for the history of dividends 
paid by the company (www.woodside.com.au).

Share registry enquiries
Investors seeking information about their shareholdings should
contact Woodside’s share registry:

Change of address or banking details
Shareholders should immediately notify the share registry
of any change to their address or banking arrangements for
dividends electronically credited to a bank account.

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited

Address:   

Level 11, 172 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000

Postal address:   GPO Box D182

Perth WA 6840

Telephone:  

1300 558 507 (within Australia)
+61 3 9415 4632 (outside Australia)

Facsimile:  

+61 3 9473 2500

Email:  
Website:   

web.queries@computershare.com.au
investorcentre.com/wpl

The share registry can assist with queries on share transfers,
dividend payments, the dividend reinvestment plan,
notification of tax file numbers and changes of name, address
or bank account details.

For security reasons, you will need your Security Reference
Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN) when
communicating with the share registry. The share registry 
website allows shareholders to make changes to address  
and banking details online.

  Refer to the share registry website for details of 
shareholdings (www.investorcentre.com/wpl).

Dividend payments
Woodside declares its dividends in US dollars as this is our 
functional and presentation currency. Woodside pays its 
dividends in Australian dollars, unless a shareholder’s registered 
address is in the United Kingdom (UK), where they are paid in 
UK pounds sterling, or in the United States of America (USA), 
where they are paid in US dollars.

Shareholders may have their dividends paid directly into any 
bank or building society account in Australia, the USA or the 
UK. Payments are electronically credited on the dividend 
payment date and confirmed by payment advice. To request 
direct crediting of dividend payments, please contact the 
share registry or visit the share registry website 
(www.investorcentre.com/wpl).

  Refer to the share registry website to change details  
(www.investorcentre.com/wpl).

Australian Securities Exchange listing
Woodside Petroleum Ltd securities are listed on the ASX under
the code WPL.

American Depositary Receipts
Citibank (Citi) sponsors a level-one American Depositary
Receipts (ADR) program in the USA. One Woodside share
equals one ADR and trades over the counter under the
symbol ‘WOPEY’.

ADR holders should deal directly with Citi on all matters related 
to their ADRs.

Enquiries should be directed to:
Citibank Shareholder Services

Address:   

PO Box 43077
Providence
Rhode Island 02940-3077

USA Toll Free Number:  

1-877-CITI-ADR

International callers:  
Facsimile:  
Email:  

+1 781 575 4555
+1 201 324 3284
citibank@shareholders-online.com

Investor Relations enquiries
Requests for specific information on Woodside can be
directed to Investor Relations:

Address:   

Postal address: 

Telephone:  

Email:  
Website:  

Woodside Petroleum Ltd
Mia Yellagonga
11 Mount Street
Perth WA 6000

GPO Box D188
Perth WA 6840

+61 8 9348 4000

investor@woodside.com.au
woodside.com.au

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Shareholder Information 131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key announcements 2020

Events calendar 2021

January

Sangomar Field Development approved

February

Full-year 2019 results and briefing

Annual Report 2019

Sustainable Development Report 2019

Scarborough participating interest alignment

March

Response to market conditions 

April

July

First quarter 2020 report 

Annual General Meeting

Asset value review and other items

Second quarter 2020 report

August

Half-year 2020 results

Woodside pre-empts Sangomar transaction

October

Third quarter 2020 results

November

Investor Briefing Day 2020

December

CEO succession

NWS early ORO gas processing agreements

Long-term LNG supply contract

Key calendar dates for Woodside shareholders in 2021.  
Please note dates are subject to review.

February

18 Full-year 2020 results and briefing 

18 Annual Report 2020

18 Sustainable Development Report 2020

25 Ex-dividend date for dividend entitlement

26 Record date for final dividend entitlement

March

April

May

June

July

24 Payment of dividend

15 Annual General Meeting

22 First quarter 2021 results

Investor update

30 Half-year end 2021

15 Second quarter 2021 results

August

October

12 Half-year 2021 results

21 Third quarter 2021 results

November

Investor Briefing Day 2021

December

31 Year-end 2021

Unreasonable prejudice 
As permitted by sections 299(3) and 299A(3) of the 
Corporations Act 2001, we have omitted certain information 
from this operating and financial review in relation to our 
business strategy, future prospects and likely developments 
in our operations and the expected results of those 
operations in future financial years. We have done this 
on the basis that such information, if disclosed, would 
be likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to Woodside 
(for example, because the information is premature, 
commercially sensitive, confidential or could give a third 
party a commercial advantage). The omitted information 
relates to our internal budgets, forecasts and estimates, 
details of our business strategy, and LNG contractual pricing.

Forward-looking statements 
This report contains forward-looking statements, including 
statements of current intention, statements of opinion and 
expectations regarding Woodside’s present and future 
operations, possible future events and future financial 
prospects. Such statements are not statements of fact and 
may be affected by a variety of known and unknown risks, 

variables and changes in underlying assumptions or strategy 
that could cause Woodside’s actual results or performance 
to differ materially from the results or performance 
expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no 
certainty of outcome in relation to the matters to which the 
statements relate, and the outcomes are not all within the 
control of Woodside. 

Further information on some important factors that could 
cause actual results or performance to differ materially 
from those projected in such statements is contained in 
the ‘Risk’ section on pages 38-41. Woodside makes no 
representation, assurance or guarantee as to the accuracy or 
likelihood of fulfilment of any forward-looking statement or 
any outcomes expressed or implied in any forward-looking 
statement. The forward-looking statements in this report 
reflect expectations held at the date of this report. Except 
as required by applicable law or the Australian Securities 
Exchange (ASX) Listing Rules, Woodside disclaims any 
obligation or undertaking to publicly update any forward-
looking statements, or discussion of future financial 
prospects, whether as a result of new information or  
of future events.

132 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Business directory

Registered offices 

Perth 
Woodside Petroleum Ltd 
Mia Yellagonga  
11 Mount Street  
Perth WA 6000 
AUSTRALIA

T: +61 8 9348 4000

Postal address:  
GPO Box D188  
Perth WA 6840 
AUSTRALIA

Beijing 
16/F, West Tower, 1607 
World Financial Centre 
No. 1 East 3rd Ring Middle Road 
Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020  
CHINA

T: +86 10 8591 0577  
F: +86 10 8591 0579

Calgary 
Suite 3750  
421-7th Avenue SW 
Calgary Alberta T2P 4K9 
CANADA

T: +1 855 956 0916

Postal address:  
PO Box 22240 Bankers Hall 
Calgary Alberta T2P 4J6 
CANADA

Canberra 
Suite 12.03  

15 London Circuit 
Canberra ACT 2601 
AUSTRALIA

T: +61 8 9348 4000

Dakar 
BP 15817 
Fann, Dakar 
SENEGAL

T: +221 32 824 40 60

Dili 
Palm Business and Trade Centre Block 
E01-06 Surik Mas, Fatumeta 
BairroPite Dili 

TIMOR-LESTE

T: +670 3310804

Houston 
Sage Plaza  
5151 San Felipe, Suite 980 
Houston TX 77056  
USA

T: +1 713 401 0000  
F: +1 713 401 0088

Karratha

The Quarter HQ  
Level 3, 24 Sharpe Avenue 
Karratha WA 6714 
AUSTRALIA

T: +61 8 9158 8100

Postal address:  
PO Box 517  
Karratha WA 6714 
AUSTRALIA

London 
3rd Floor, Pollen House 
10-12 Cork Street 
Mayfair, London W1S 3NP 
UNITED KINGDOM

T: +44 20 7009 3900

Roebourne 
39 Roe Street 
Roebourne WA 6718 
AUSTRALIA

T: +61 8 9158 8949

Seoul 
11F Kwanghwamun Building 
149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu 
Seoul 03186  
REPUBLIC OF KOREA

T: +82 2 739 3290 
F: +82 2 739 3294

Singapore 
12 Marina View  
Asia Square Tower 2 #18-03 
Singapore 018961 
SINGAPORE

T: +65 6709 8000

Tokyo 
Imperial Tower  
1-1 Uchisaiwaicho 1-Chome 
Chiyoda-ku 
Tokyo 100-0011 
JAPAN

T: +81 3 3501 7031 
F: +81 3 3581 2689

Yangon 
Level 6, Vantage Tower 
623 Pyay Road 
Kamayut Township 
11041 Yangon 
MYANMAR (BURMA) 

T: +95 1 230 7460  
F: +95 1 230 7461

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Shareholder Information 133

Asset facts

Producing facilities

Australia1

North West
Shelf

Role

Equity

Product

Australia Oil

Role

Equity

Product

Karratha Gas 
Plant

North Rankin 
Complex

Goodwyn A 
Platform

Operator 

Operator 

Operator 

16.67% 

16.67% 

16.67% 

Angel  
Platform

Operator

16.67% 

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas, 
condensate 
and LPG

Ngujima-Yin
FPSO

Operator

60%

Oil

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas, 
condensate 
and LPG

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas, 
condensate 
and LPG

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas, 
condensate 
and LPG

Okha FPSO

Wheatstone

Operator

33.33%

Gas and oil

Non-operator

13%

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas and 
condensate

Pluto LNG

Role

Equity

Product

Pluto A 
Platform

Pluto LNG 
Plant

Operator 

Operator

90% 

90%

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas and 
condensate

LNG, pipeline 
natural gas and 
condensate

Developments

Australia1

Senegal

Myanmar

Canada

Australia/Timor-Leste

Greater Scarborough Browse

Sangomar Phase 1

A-6 Development Kitimat LNG

Sunrise

Role

Equity

Product

Role

Equity

Product

Operator

50-73.5%

Operator

30.6%

LNG, pipeline natural 
gas and condensate

LNG, pipeline natural 
gas and condensate

Julimar-Brunello 
Phase 2

Greater Western 
Flank Phase 3

Operator

65%

Operator

16.67%

LNG, pipeline natural 
gas and condensate

LNG, pipeline natural 
gas and condensate

Operator

68.33%

Oil

Joint operator

Non-operator

Operator

40%

50%

33.44%

Pipeline natural 
 gas

 LNG, pipeline 
natural gas

LNG, pipeline natural 
gas and condensate

Exploration

Asia-Pacific

Myanmar

A-7

AD-7

AD-1 and AD-8

Operator

45%

Joint operator

Joint operator

40%

50%

Gas prone basin

Gas prone basin

Gas prone basin

Republic 
of Korea

Role

Equity

Product

8, 6-1N

Joint operator

50%

Gas prone basin

Role

Equity

Product

Europe

Bulgaria

Role

Equity

Product

Africa

Senegal

Role

Equity

Product

1-14 Khan Kubrat

Non-operator

30%

Ireland

Role

Equity

FEL 5/13 and FEL 11/18

Operator

FEL 5/13 100%, FEL 11/18 90%

Oil or gas prone basin

Product

Oil or gas prone basin

Rufisque, Sangomar and
Sangomar Deep

Operator

75%

Oil prone basin

Congo

Marine XX

Role

Equity

Product

Non-operator

42.5%

Oil or gas prone basin

1.  For further information on Woodside’s Australian titles, please refer to the titles register website (neats.nopta.gov.au).

134 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Glossary, units of measure and conversion factors

Glossary

$, $m 

1P 

2C 

2P 

AGM 

AOI 

APPEA 

US dollars unless otherwise stated, millions of dollars 

Proved reserves 

Best Estimate of Contingent resources 

 Proved plus Probable reserves

Annual General Meeting

Area of interest

 Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration 
Association 

GWF 

H1, H2 

HSE 

Infill well 

ISO 

JCC 

Appraisal well 

 A well drilled to follow up a discovery and evaluate its 
commercial potential 

ASX 

AWST 

A$ 

Average unit cash 
sales  

BJV 

Brent 

Cash margin 

CHF 

Condensate 

cps 

DBNGP 

DRP 

EBIT 

EBITDA 

EBITDAX 

Australian Securities Exchange 

Australian Western Standard Time 

Australian dollars

Average unit cash cost of sales includes production costs, cost of 
royalty and excise, shipping and direct sales costs, carbon  
costs and insurance; excludes exploration and evaluation,  
general administrative and other costs, depreciation and  
amortisation, PRRT and income tax

Browse Joint Venture

 Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Brent Crude deliverable futures 
contract (oil price) 

 Revenue from sale of produced hydrocarbons less production 
costs, royalties and excise, insurance and shipping and 
direct sales costs, divided by revenue from sale of produced 
hydrocarbons 

Swiss francs

 Hydrocarbons that are gaseous in a reservoir but that condense 
to form liquids as they rise to the surface 

Cents per share 

Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline 

 Dividend reinvestment plan

Calculated as a profit before income tax, PRRT and net  
finance costs

  Calculated as a profit before income tax, PRRT, net finance costs, 
depreciation and amortisation and impairment

 Calculated as a profit before income tax, PRRT, net finance costs, 
depreciation and amortisation, impairment and exploration and 
evaluation expense 

EPC, EPCI  

Engineering, procurement, construction and installation

EPS 

 Earnings per share

Equity lifted LNG 

Farm-in 

FEED 

FEL 

FID 

Flaring 

FPSO 

FPU 

 The proportion of LNG which Woodside is entitled to lift and 
sell, in its own right, as a result of its participating interest in the 
relevant project 

 Where one company acquires an interest in an exploration 
permit or production licence by paying some of the past or 
future costs of another company that is relinquishing its interest 

 Front-end engineering design 

Frontier exploration licence 

Final investment decision 

The controlled burning of gas found in oil and gas  
reservoirs 

Floating production storage and offloading 

 Floating production unit

Free cashflow 

 Cashflow from operating activities less cashflow from investing 
activities

FVLCD 

GDP 

Gearing 

Gross margin 

Fair value less costs to dispose

Gross domestic product 

 Net debt divided by net debt and equity attributable to the 
equity holders of the parent 

 Gross profit divided by operating revenue. Gross profit excludes 
income tax, PRRT, net finance costs, other income and other 
expenses 

GSPA 

Gas sale and purchase agreement 

Greater Western Flank

 Halves of the calendar year (H1 is 1 January to 30 June and 
H2 is 1 July to 31 December) 

Health, safety and environment 

Well drilled for the purpose of increasing production 

 International Organisation for Standardisation

 The Japan Customs-cleared Crude is the average price of 
customs-cleared crude oil imports into Japan as reported in 
customs statistics (also known as ‘Japanese Crude Cocktail’) and 
is used as a reference price for long-term supply LNG contracts

JV 

KGP 

Joint venture

Karratha Gas Plant

Liquidity 

 Calculated as the sum of cash on hand and undrawn debt facilities

LHS 

LNG 

LOPC 

LPG 

LTIF 

MOU 

Net debt 

NOPSEMA 

Left hand side 

Liquefied natural gas 

Loss of primary containment 

Liquefied petroleum gas 

Lost time injury frequency 

Memorandum of understanding 

Total debt less cash and cash equivalents 

 National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental 
Management Authority 

NOPTA 

 National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator 

NPAT 

NT 

NWS 

PEP 

PRRT 

PSC 

PSE 

Net profit after tax 

Northern Territory 

North West Shelf 

Petroleum exploration permit 

Petroleum resources rent tax 

Production sharing contract 

 Process safety event

Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 

 Quarters of the calendar year (Q1 is 1 January to 31 March, 
Q2 is 1 April to 30 June, Q3 is 1 July to 30 September, Q4 is 
1 October to 31 December)

RAP 

 Woodside’s Reconciliation Action Plan

Return on equity 

 Return on shareholder funds is calculated as NPAT (excluding 
non-controlling interests) divided by equity attributable to the 
equity holders of the parent 

RFSU 

RHS 

ROACE 

RSSD 

SPA 

Spudded 

Tier 1 PSE 

Tier 2 PSE 

TRIR 

TSR 

Ready for start-up 

 Right hand side

 Return on average capital employed, calculated as EBIT divided 
by average non-current liabilities and average equity attributable 
to equity holders of the parent 

 Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep 
Offshore

Sale and purchase agreement

 Commenced well-drilling process

 A typical Tier 1 process safety event is loss of containment 
of hydrocarbons greater than 500 kg (in any one-hour 
period) 

 A typical Tier 2 process safety event is loss of containment of 
hydrocarbons greater than 50 kg but less than 500 kg (in any 
one-hour period) 

 Total recordable injury rate. The number of recordable injuries 
(fatalities, lost workday cases, restricted workday cases and 
medical treatment cases) per 1,000,000 work hours

 Total shareholder return

Unit production 

 Production cost ($ million) divided by production volume 
(MMboe) 

USA 

USD 

WA 

United States of America 

US dollars 

Western Australia

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Shareholder Information 135

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion factors1

Product 

Pipeline natural gas 

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) 

Condensate 

Oil 

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 

Natural gas 

Dry gas 

Factor 

1 TJ 

1 tonne 

1 bbl 

1 bbl 

1 tonne 

1 MMBtu 

1 MMBoe 

Conversion factors¹

163.6 boe 

8.9055 boe 

1.000 boe

1.000 boe

8.1876 boe 

0.1724 boe

5.7 Bcf

1.  Minor changes to some conversion factors can occur over time due to gradual 

changes in the process stream.

Units of measure

bbl 

barrel 

bbl/d 

barrels per day

Bcf 

boe 

billion cubic feet

barrel of oil equivalent

CO₂-e 

carbon dioxide equivalent

kPa 

kt 

thousand Pascals

thousand tonnes

MMbbl 

million barrels

MMboe 

million barrels of oil equivalent

MMBtu 

 million British thermal units

mmscf 

million standard cubic feet

mmscf/d   million standard cubic feet per day

MPa 

Mtpa 

psi 

t 

Tcf 

TJ 

million Pascals

million tonnes per annum

pounds per square inch

tonnes

trillion cubic feet

terajoules

136 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Summary charts

Product view

Regional view

Investment

Gas and condensate*

Oil

Exploration and other

2020

50%

42%

8%

2019

63%

23%

14%

*Indicative only as some assets produce oil and gas.

Investment

Australia

Senegal

Rest of World

2020

56%

39%

5%

2019

90%

4%

6%

Our investment expenditure was primarily on Sangomar and 
subsea tie-backs to Pluto, NWS Project and Wheatstone.

The majority of our 2020 investment was in Australia, 
with increased expenditure in Senegal.

Production

Natural Gas*

Oil

Condensate

2020

80%

10%

10%

2019

83%

6%

11%

*Includes LNG, LPG and pipeline gas.

The majority of our production is natural gas produced  
through Pluto LNG and NWS Project.

Production

Australia

Rest of World

2020

100%

0%

2019

>99%

<1%

Australian assets provide all of Woodside’s production volumes.

Revenue from sale of hydrocarbons

Revenue from sale of hydrocarbons

Natural Gas*

Oil

Condensate

*Includes LNG, LPG and pipeline gas.

2020

76%

12%

12%

2019

80%

8%

12%

Australia

Purchased LNG

Rest of World

2020

97%

3%

0%

2019

95%

5%

<1%

Gas, largely sold as LNG, continues to provide the majority  
of our sales revenue.

Our revenue is currently derived from Australian sources, 
supplemented with LNG purchased in the international market.

Reserves (Proved plus Probable)

Reserves (Proved plus Probable)

Dry gas

Oil

Condensate

2020

76%

17%

7%

2019

82%

10%

8%

Australia

Senegal

Rest of World

2020

88%

12%

0%

2019

95%

5%

0%

Gas represents the largest portion of Woodside’s Proved  
plus Probable reserves.

The majority of Woodside’s Proved plus Probable reserves  
are located in Australia.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Shareholder Information 137

Ten-year comparative data summary

Profit and loss (USDm)1,2,3 Operating revenues

Group LNG
Australia domestic gas
Australia LPG
Australia condensate
Australia Oil
Australia processing and services revenue
Trading revenue
Other hydrocarbon revenue
Shipping and other revenue
Other international
Total
EBITDAX
EBITDA4
EBIT4 
Exploration and evaluation (excluding 
amortisation of permit acquisition)
Depreciation and amortisation
Amortisation of license acquisition costs
Impairment/(impairment reversal)
Net finance costs
Tax expense
Non-controlling interest
Reported NPAT
Reported EPS (cents)5
DPS (cents)
Total assets
Debt
Net debt
Shareholder equity
Cashflow from operations
Cashflow from investing
Cashflow from financing
Capital expenditure

Exploration and evaluation
 Oil and gas properties and property,  
plant and equipment

ROACE6 (%)
Return on equity (%)
Gearing (%)
Sales (million boe)
Group LNG
Australia domestic gas
Australia LPG
Australia condensate
Australia Oil
Other international
Total (million boe)
Production (million boe)
Australia LNG
Australia domestic gas
Australia LPG
Australia condensate
Australia Oil
Other international
Total (million boe)
Reserves (Proved plus Probable) Gas (Tcf)
Reserves (Proved plus Probable) Condensate (MMbbl)
Reserves (Proved plus Probable) Oil (MMbbl)
Other
Employees
Shares

High (A$)
Low (A$)
Close (A$)
Number (000’s)

Number of shareholders
Market capitalisation (USD equivalent at  
reporting date)
Market capitalisation (AUD equivalent at  
reporting date)
Finding costs ($/boe) (3 year average)7
Reported effective income tax rate (%)
Net debt/total market capitalisation (%)

Balance sheet (USDm)2

Cashflow (USDm)
and capital  
expenditure (USDm)

Volumes1,3

Other ASX data

2020

20192,3

2018

20171

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

 2,519 
 73 
 16 
 411 
 432 
 142 
 - 
 - 
 7 
 - 
3,600
 1,991 
 1,922 
 (5,171)

 69 

 1,812 
 12 
 5,269 
 269 
 (1,465)
 53 
 (4,028)
 (424)
38
 24,623 
 7,492 
 3,888 
 12,075 
 1,849 
 (2,112)
 (203)

 355 

 1,591 

(21.0)
(33.4)
24.4

 81.2 
 5.3 
 0.4 
 10.2 
 9.7 
 - 
106.8

 75.0 
 5.3 
 0.5 
 9.8 
 9.7 
 - 
 100.3 
4.50
72.9
177.8

 3,664 
 83 
 44 
 586 
 360 
 119 
 - 
 - 
 15 
2
4,873
3,680
3,531
1,091

3,761
84
25
651
301
202
210
1
-
5
5,240
4,041
3,814
2,278

2,674
142
43
422
391
192
53
47
-
11
3,975
3,095
2,918
1,714

2,751
292
34
413
302
202
70
-
-
11
4,075
3,004
2,734
1,388

3,095
295
34
421
650
180
354
-
-
1
5,030
3,443
3,063
441

4,563
376
80
901
1,133
198
161
-
-
23
7,435
5,853
5,568
3,672

3,347
366
88
1,000
896
150
-
-
-
79
5,926
4,460
4,188
2,538

2,834
367
125
903
1,918
125
-
-
-
76
6,348
5,528
5,162
3,795

1,509
375
127
860
1,795
-
-
-
-
136
4,802
3,423
2,864
2,212

149

227

177

270

380

285

272

366

559

1,688
15
737
229
480
39
343
37
91
29,353
6,849
2,791
16,617
3,305
(1,238)
317

1,451
46
39
183
628
103
1,364
148
144
27,088
4,071
2,397
17,489
3,296
(1,772)
(159)

1,188
16
-
84
465
96
1,069
123
98
25,399
5,065
4,747
15,081
2,400
(1,568)
(805)

1,320
26
-
48
367
105
868
104
83
24,753
4,973
4,688
14,839
2,587
(2,473)
51

443

749

4.1
2.1
14.4

75.3
5.7
0.7
9.7
5.5
0.5
97.4

67.7
5.6
0.5
9.7
5.6
0.5
89.6
5.65
100
122.4

728

993

9.3
7.8
12.1

69.6
4.6
0.4
9.2
4.2
1.2
89.2

71.9
4.6
0.6
9.3
3.8
1.2
91.4
6.05
108.2
67.7

328

1,039

7.4
7.1
23.9

61.2
6.3
0.7
7.7
6.9
1.3
84.1

61.7
6.0
0.6
8.0
6.8
1.3
84.4
6.54
117.0
69.9

965

1,214

6.2
5.8
24.0

63.6
12.9
0.7
9.3
6.9
1.6
95.0

63.7
12.9
0.7
9.3
6.7
1.6
94.9
7.09
124.2
74.4

1,517
22
1,083
85
243
87
26
3
109
23,839
4,441
4,319
14,226
2,475
(5,555)
(58)

1,305

4,309

2.0
0.2
23.3

57.6
13.2
0.7
8.5
12.5
0.2
92.7

57.5
13.1
0.7
8.4
12.3
0.2
92.2
7.59
133.5
42.6

1,441
21
434
163
993
102
2,414
293
255
24,082
2,586
(682)
15,876
4,785
(617)
(3,119)

1,218
45
387
179
545
65
1,749
213
249
23,770
3,764
1,541
15,225
3,330
(1,059)
(2,470)

1,184
26
157
137
614
61
2,983
366
130
24,810
4,340
1,918
15,148
3,475
161
(1,252)

627
28
(3)
26
677
2
1,507
190
110
23,231
5,102
5,061
12,658
2,242
(3,533)
362

261

425

17.5
15.2
(4.5)

58.3
13.3
0.8
9.4
11.2
0.2
93.2

60.3
13.3
0.8
9.1
11.4
0.2
95.1
6.65
117.1
54.1

166

420

12.0
11.5
9.2

52.4
14.0
0.9
9.5
8.0
0.9
85.7

53.6
13.9
0.9
9.5
8.2
0.9
87.0
7.09
125.2
67.0

383

1,145

18.3
19.7
11.2

42.6
13.9
1.1
8.6
16.8
0.8
83.8

43.9
13.8
1.1
9.3
16.0
0.8
84.9
7.51
130.9
95.9

778

2,651

11.8
11.9
28.6

22.4
14.0
1.1
7.8
15.7
2.9
63.9

22.6
14.0
1.2
7.9
16.0
2.9
64.6
7.80
138.7
108.5

3,670
36.14
15.27
22.74

3,834
37.40
30.49
34.38
962,226 942,287
276,431 220,065 209,753 209,383

3,511
3,597
31.88
33.97
23.94
28.16
33.08
31.16
936,152 842,445 842,445
214,350

3,662
39.00
28.45
31.32

3,456
38.33
26.20
28.72
823,911
225,138

3,803
44.23
33.71
38.01
823,911
227,798

3,896
3,997
39.54
38.16
33.29
30.09
38.90
33.88
823,911
823,911
217,383 208,277

3,856
50.85
29.76
30.62
805,672
205,868

16,817

22,666

20,681

21,762

18,922

17,250

25,664

28,579

28,983

25,287

21,881

30.44
20.5
23.1

32,396

29,320

27,868

26,251

23,663

31,317

32,050

27,914

24,670

21.71
57.2
12.3

29.90
31.7
11.6

26.21
34.0
21.8

39.06
35.9
24.8

107.45 
49.8 
25.0

44.09
30.1
(2.7)

30.43
29.8
5.4

14.09
27.2
 6.6

12.67
30.5
20.0

1.  2017 has been restated for the impact of AASB 15 Revenue from contracts with customers. Comparative financial information prior to 2016 has not been restated for AASB 15. 
2.  2019 includes the adoption of AASB 16 Leases.
3.  2019 amounts have been restated for the application of reporting on a LNG Portfolio basis. Comparative financial information prior to 2018 has not been restated.
4.  The calculation for EBITDA has been updated to exclude impairment and amortisation of license acquisition costs. 2011 to 2013 EBITDA numbers have been restated to reflect this change in 

calculation. EBIT is calculated as a profit before income tax, PRRT and net finance costs. 

5.  Earnings per share has been calculated using the following weighted average number of shares (2020: 951,113,086; 2019: 935,833,092; 2018: 921,165,018; 2017: 866,201,877; 2016: 835,011,896; 2015: 

822,943,960; 2014: 822,771,118; 2013:822,983,715; 2012: 814,751,356; 2011: 791,668,973).

6.  The calculation for ROACE has been revised in 2014 to use EBIT as the numerator, in addition to a change in the composition of capital employed. ROACE for 2011 to 2013 has been restated to 

include this change. 

7.  Finding cost methodology is in accordance with SEC industry standard. The 2020 outcome excludes the impact of Greater Pluto (WA-404-P) Proved (1P) Undeveloped Reserves of 91 MMboe 

being reclassified to Best Estimate (2C) Contingent Resources, resulting from impairment of Pluto (WA-404-P).

138 Annual Report 2020 Woodside Petroleum Ltd

Woodside Petroleum Ltd Shareholder Information 139

Annual Report 2020

Head Office:
Woodside Petroleum Ltd
Mia Yellagonga
11 Mount Street
Perth WA 6000

Postal Address:
GPO Box D188
Perth WA 6840
Australia

T: +61 8 9348 4000
F: +61 8 9214 2777
E: companyinfo@woodside.com.au

Woodside Petroleum Ltd
ABN 55 004 898 962

woodside.com.au