Woodside Energy has had to get accustomed to being regarded as both a carbon emissions pariah and an energy resources hero in Australia. That contradiction – featuring major Australian investors as well as various levels of government – means Woodside still has a starring role in this country’s constant environmental and energy wars.

After waiting six years for the WA government’s approval for Woodside to extend the life of its North West Shelf project, for example, chief executive Meg O’Neill says she is disappointed by the Albanese government’s decision this month to further delay federal approval.