The proposed $A2 billion Pilbara LNG project is undertaking a pre-feasibility study for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plant and export facilities to receive and process feedstock from the Scarborough gas field in the Carnarvon Basin, 280km north-west of Onslow, Western Australia. BHP Billiton has selected a site approximately 4.5kms south-west of Onslow as its preferred location for the LNG plant and export facilities. The project is examining a number of concepts for the field development that would connect to a single train with capacity of approximately 6 million tones per annum.

The gas from the Scarborough field is low in carbon dioxide (less than 1 per cent), and is 95 per cent methane and 5 per cent nitrogen. The Scarborough and Jupiter gas fields are believed to contain contingent gas resources in excess of 8 Tcf. Intec Engineering and Granherne provided pre-feasibility support on Scarborough. KBR has been awarded the FEED contract for the Pilbara onshore facilities.

BHP Billiton owns 50% of Scarborough field in permit WA-1-R, the remainder being owned by ExxonMobil (operator). BHP Billiton is 100% owner of the adjacent WA-346-P.