Business · Energy & Commodities · 4 hrs ago
Western Australia’s EPA to review proposed Kimberley gas project
Buru Energy has asked Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority to review its proposed Rafael gas project in the Kimberley.
The project site is in the Canning Basin, about 85 kilometres south of Derby, and would process gas from two wells.
The company says the project could produce up to 300 tonnes of liquefied natural gas a day, as well as LPG and condensate.
Buru says local production could help meet the Kimberley’s energy needs, which are currently supplied by energy brought in from elsewhere.
The proposal is for conventional gas, extracted by drilling and pumping, not by fracking.
However, environmentalists worry the project could help open the way to future fracking in the region, where fracking proposals have drawn strong opposition.
The EPA will review the Rafael proposal; any decision or timeline is not stated.
Buru Energy has referred its proposed Rafael conventional gas project in Western Australia’s Kimberley to the state’s Environmental Protection Authority for review.
The project would process gas from two production wells at a site in the Canning Basin, about 85 kilometres south of Derby.
Buru says the project could supply all of the Kimberley’s gas demand and some of its LPG demand.
Environmentalists are concerned the project could pave the way for fracking, while Buru says it has no fracking component.
The proposal comes amid debate over fracking in the Kimberley, where the state’s ban on the practice does not apply to all areas.
- Who
- Buru Energy referred the Rafael project for review by Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority.
- What
- The proposal is for a conventional gas processing facility supplied by two production wells.
- When
- Buru referred the project in early October.
- Where
- The project site is in the Kimberley’s Canning Basin, about 85 kilometres south of Derby.
- Why
- Buru says the project could supply the region with locally produced energy and improve energy security.
Buru Energy
Environs Kimberley
Project’s relationship to fracking
Buru Energy
Buru says the project has nothing to do with fracking and has no fracking component.
Environs Kimberley
Environs Kimberley executive director Martin Pritchard says the project could be a Trojan horse for fracking.
We have the capacity to supply 100 per cent of the Kimberley's gas demand
could be a Trojan horse for fracking
It's got nothing to do with fracking at all
Buru Energy used hydraulic fracturing at its Yulleroo 2 wellhead, 60 kilometres east of Broome.
Buru Energy referred the Rafael conventional gas project to Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority for review.
The EPA recommended that a separate fracking proposal by Bennett Resources proceed subject to conditions.
- Project
- Rafael conventional gas project
- Proponent
- Buru Energy
- Review body
- Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority
- Location
- Canning Basin, about 85 kilometres south of Derby
- Production plan
- Gas from two co-located production wells
Sources
Related news
King River starts 11,000-metre gold drilling program in Western Australia
Adidas sues White Fox over four-stripe clothing designs
ASX rises as MAAS shares fall after Firmus cancels planned IPO
Taruga Minerals prepares 1,000-metre drilling campaign in Papua New Guinea
Ammonia-powered iron ore bulk carrier sets sail for the Pilbara
Lynas and Sonic Healthcare shares hit 52-week lows
Arafura signs larger rare earths offtake deal
Everest completes 7,877m of drilling at Revere gold project
BOA reports copper across more than 400m at Ricci Lee
Coles raises in-store paper bag price from 25 cents to 30 cents
WiseTech and Nextdc offer different prospects for investors
