Woodside has awarded its largest-ever traditional owner construction contract to Karratha-based Winyama Contracting Group.

The contract involves the delivery of civil works for the Pluto Train 1 Modifications project.

This award follows a competitive bid process that evaluated experience, local content, and health, safety and environment (HSE) performance.

Winyama will collaborate with Kellogg Brown & Root, Woodside’s EPCM contractor for the project.

This partnership is expected to enhance Winyama’s business capabilities and create additional opportunities for indigenous participation through employment and training.

Woodside Pluto Expansion Project manager Paul Baker said: “By engaging a local indigenous-led and owned contractor, we are securing the delivery of an important service while contributing to the local economy. The contract will also support the growth of Winyama Contracting Group, increasing the company’s capacity to deliver services to other industries across the Pilbara.”

The Scarborough Energy Project, which includes the Scarborough Joint Venture (JV), Pluto Train 2 JV and Pluto Train 1 modifications, has awarded more than A$3.6bn ($2.3bn) in contracts to Western Australian businesses.

Furthermore, approximately A$115m has been invested with Karratha-based businesses.

The Scarborough field, located around 375km off the coast of Western Australia, will have its gas processed at the Pluto LNG facility.

Woodside is currently constructing Pluto Train 2 and is the operator of both Pluto LNG and Pluto Train 2.

Winyama Contracting Group chairman and indigenous business manager Arthur Ramirez said:  “This project will allow our team to grow by about another 65 new employees, with the majority being residential employees.

“Being engaged on the Pluto Train 1 Modifications project will help fulfil Winyama Contracting Group’s vision to increase its footprint in the region, which will enable us to increase our focus on outcomes for Aboriginal people through our Reflection Reconciliation Action Plan.

“We are really proud that Woodside has chosen a local Karratha-based indigenous business to execute a major portion of one of their largest current projects, showing they live their values, and support local and indigenous business growth in the region.”