Australia's Woodside Energy gave final approval to build a $17.5 billion liquefied natural gas project in Louisiana, confident a pro-fossil fuel U.S. administration and strong demand will give it competitive returns.

Woodside Energy approved the $17.5 billion development of the Louisiana LNG project, betting on strong ongoing demand for traditional fuels and the U.S. as a key natural gas supplier to the global market.

Woodside has entered an agreement with bp to supply gas to the Louisiana LNG project in Calcasieu Parish, US. The agreement represents the first portion of a diverse feed gas portfolio that will support the project,