The Middle East war has swelled Woodside Energy’s revenue but forced the group’s Louisiana LNG project to source alternative steel supplies because of the threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Still, revenue for the first half of 2026 was 13 per cent higher at $US7.4b. The US development is being built as Woodside’s $16b Scarborough gas project off north-west WA closes in on first production. Scarborough is 98 per cent complete and on track to export its first gas in the final quarter of 2026. The former Wesfarmers boss has signalled he will step down on or before next year’s annual meeting in April.