Greenpeace activists occupy Woodside gas project unit off Western Australia

SYDNEY, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Greenpeace said on Saturday activists occupied a floating production unit at Woodside's WDS.AX $12.5 billion Scarborough gas project off the coast of Western Australia state.

• Four activists scaled the unit and displayed banners with message "Stop Woodside’s Dirty Gas. Save Scott Reef", the environmental advocacy group said on its website. The protest temporarily shut down operations at the semi-submersible unit, Greenpeace said.

• Greenpeace is among environmental groups concerned about the project's potential impact on Scott Reef, a coral system and foraging area for the endangered pygmy blue whale located about 390 km (242 miles) off the state's northwest coast.

• Woodside in a statement said it was "responding to an incident involving individuals who have gained unlawful access to the Scarborough floating production unit".

• "Our immediate focus is on managing the situation safely and minimising risk to the individuals involved and our workforce," a Woodside spokesperson said.

• Australian Border Force said it was aware of protest activity off the Western Australian coast and was working with federal and state agencies in response.

• Woodside says it has conducted extensive environmental consultation on the project since 2018.