Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kenichi Hori; "Mitsui") has completed Stage 2 development of the Waitsia Gas Field ("Waitsia") in Western Australia to commence commercial gas production on December 6. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd ("MEPAU"), Mitsuiholds a 50% interest in Waitsia and serves as the operator.
Waitsia is one of Australia's largest onshore natural gas fields, located approximately 350 km north of Perth. Mitsui acquired its interest in 2018 and has been supplying gas to Western Australian manufacturers and consumers. In 2020 Mitsui made the Final Investment Decision (FID) on Stage 2 development, to build a new gas processing plant with a capacity of 250 terajoules per day in addition to the existing 20 terajoules per day. Construction has now been completed, and commercial gas production from the new plant has started.
With Stage 2 completed, Waitsia will strengthen its role as a major source of gas supply for Western Australia, supporting long-term domestic gas demand and contributing to a more stable supply. Also having access both to the domestic gas and the LNG export market, the project will contribute to the regional security of energy across Asia. The project will outsource LNG production to the North West Shelf Joint Venture (hereinafter "NWS JV").
(NWS JV began LNG production in 1989 and now provides LNG tolling services (gas liquefaction) to third parties. Mitsui participates through its 50%-owned affiliate Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd, holding a 16.67% interest.)
MEPAU will reduce environmental impact through high-efficiency plant design of Waitsia, and through its own afforestation projects and procurement of carbon credits. MEPAU is also conducting feasibility studies for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), using depleted gas fields in and around Waitsia.
Mitsui has led the project as operator from planning and construction, as well as extending to climate change initiatives such as CCS. Going forward, Mitsui will continue to strengthen its capability as operator, contributing to its materiality goal of "Establish a foundation for sustainable and stable supply".
Partner Profile
| Official name | Beach Energy Limited |
|---|---|
| Head Office Location | North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000 |
| Established | 1961 |
| Representatives | Brett Woods |
| Number of employees | 427 (as of June 2025) |
| Business Activities | Beach Energy is an ASX-listed oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Adelaide, Australia. Established in 1961, it produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids across five basins in Australia and New Zealand. Beach Energy aims to deliver superior shareholder returns through sustainable energy supply and become a leading domestic energy company in Australia. |
| Website |
Mitsui’s Materiality
“Build brighter futures, everywhere” as our corporate mission, and to gain the trust and expectations of our stakeholders to realize a better tomorrow for earth and for people around the world, we have identified six material issues (“Materiality”) for Mitsui’s sustainable growth. We anticipate this particular project/ business to contribute especially to the realization of “Establish a foundation for sustainable and stable supply”
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Establish a foundation for sustainable and stable supply
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Create a community coexisting with nature
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Foster a well-being society
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Cultivate societies that respect human rights
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Empower our people to build brighter futures
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Build an organization with integrity