Woodside Energy
(ASX: WDS) Share Price and News
Overview of Woodside Energy
Woodside Energy Group is an Australian-based global energy company, primarily engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Perth, the company operates major projects across Australia and internationally, with key assets in Western Australia’s North West Shelf and the Browse Basin.
Since 1989, Woodside has been in LNG (Liquidifed Natural Gas) and its flagship LNG project has been Pluto, which consists of oil fields off the coast of WA and an onshore processing facility near Karratha with a gross capacity of 4Mtpa and annual production over 46MMboe. It also has a minority stake in North West Shelf Project which has a capacity of 16.9Mtpa and 33MMboe LNG production.
Woodside also owns the Scarborough LNG project which will be Australia’s biggest oil and gas project for at least a decade, expected to produce 9m tonnes of LNG annually when it enters production. The oil field has proved plus probably reserves of 1,810MMboe and Woodside retains a majority stake for the time being. Specifically it owns 74.9% with 15.1% owned by Japan’s JERA following its February 2024 acquisition of that share for A$1.4bn and another 10% belongs to LNG Japan, which paid $500m in August 2023.
In 2025, the company achieved record annual production of approximately 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent, exceeding its guidance and demonstrating strong operational reliability across key assets such as Pluto LNG and the Sangomar oil field.
Woodside Energy's Company History
Woodside Energy was founded in 1954 and has since grown into Australia’s largest independent oil and gas company. The company made its mark with the 1970s discovery of the North Rankin gas field, a cornerstone asset that played a significant role in Australia’s LNG industry.
Over the years, Woodside expanded through strategic mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, including the acquisition of Apache Corporation’s Australian assets in 2015 and the merger with BHP’s petroleum business in 2022, which significantly boosted its global scale. In more recent years, Woodside has focused on growing its LNG production and diversifying its energy solutions.
The company has been actively involved in large projects such as the Pluto LNG project and the Wheatstone LNG venture. As of now, Woodside is one of the world’s major suppliers of LNG, with a robust portfolio of upstream and downstream assets.
A key achievement of the company is acquiring and making the final investment decision on Louisiana LNG. It will deliver 16.5Mtpa LNG when fully operational, which will be over 5% of global LNG supply and roughly two thirds of the anticipated 24Mtpa that Woodside aspires to deliver from its whole portfolio.
It is estimated to deliver an IRR of 13%, a payback period of 7 years and over $2bn of annual net operating cash in the 2030s, making for over US$8bn for Woodside’s entire portfolio. It will also account for more than two thirds of Woodside’s production.
Woodside Energy's (ASX: WDS) Future Outlook
Woodside's outlook closely tied to global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil prices, and the company’s ability to deliver several large-scale development projects currently underway.
While production is expected to decline slightly in 2026 to around 172–186 million barrels of oil equivalent, the decrease largely reflects planned maintenance work and preparations for new projects coming online rather than operational weakness.
Scarborough LNG is expected to deliver its first LNG cargo in late 2026. This project will supply gas to the expanded Pluto LNG facility and is expected to contribute significantly to Woodside’s future production levels and revenue growth.
Beyond Scarborough, Woodside is advancing several major international projects designed to expand its global energy footprint. The Trion offshore oil project in Mexico is targeting first production in 2028, while the Louisiana LNG development in the United States could become a major long-term source of LNG supply once operational later in the decade. These developments are part of Woodside’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in global LNG markets and diversify geographically.
At the same time, the company is investing in emerging energy opportunities such as lower-carbon ammonia and other transition technologies. While the energy transition presents challenges for traditional hydrocarbon producers, many analysts believe LNG will remain an important transition fuel for decades as countries shift away from coal.
To make a long story short, Woodside’s outlook depends heavily on energy market conditions, but its large project pipeline and global LNG exposure position the company for potential long-term growth.
Is Woodside Energy a Good Stock to Buy?
This depends on investors' outlook of Woodside which in turn is dependant on the outlook for LNG. As one of the largest companies on the Australian Securities Exchange, Woodside offers investors exposure to global oil and gas markets through a portfolio of producing assets and large development projects. The company has historically attracted income-focused investors due to its dividend payments, which are supported by strong cash flow generated from oil and LNG production.
Woodside’s investment case is often linked to its scale and project pipeline. The company has delivered strong production results in recent years, including record output in 2025, supported by reliable performance from existing assets and the addition of new production sources. Large projects currently under development, such as the Scarborough LNG project and the Trion offshore oil project, could significantly increase production capacity and cash flow once fully operational. If these projects are delivered on time and within budget, they may help drive long-term growth in earnings and shareholder returns.
However, investors should also consider the risks associated with energy stocks. Woodside’s earnings are heavily influenced by global oil and gas prices, which can fluctuate significantly due to geopolitical events, economic cycles, and changes in energy demand. Large energy projects can also face delays or cost overruns, which may impact profitability. In addition, the global transition toward lower-carbon energy sources has created uncertainty about the long-term outlook for fossil fuel producers.
Despite these risks, some investors view Woodside as a relatively stable large-cap energy company with strong assets and significant exposure to the global LNG market. For investors seeking dividend income and exposure to the energy sector, Woodside Energy may be considered a potential option, although careful research and consideration of market conditions are important before making any investment decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Woodside Energy offers a competitive dividend yield, typically ranging between 3% and 5%, depending on market conditions and the company's financial performance.