Participants in the North West Shelf (NWS) gas development project have approved the Persephone Project off the northwest coast of Australia, operator Woodside Energy Ltd. said in a news release.

The project will involve a two well, 7-km (4-mile) subsea tieback from the Persephone Field to the existing North Rankin Complex. The total investment for the project is expected to be about A$1.2 billion (US$1 billion), with project start-up expected in early 2018, the release said.

The Persephone Project participants are: Woodside Energy Ltd. (16.67%); BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd. (16.67%); BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd. (16.67%); Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. (16.67%); Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd (16.67%); and Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd. (16.67%).