Research by the University of Western Australia (UWA) on a BHP subsea oil and gas pipeline off the north-west coast of Australia has found that the pipeline is attracting roughly two to three times the commercial value of fish than its surrounding deep water areas. In collaboration with BHP, the UWA researchers implemented specialised baited cameras to compare the diversity, abundance and size of fish around the 42.3-kilometre subsea pipeline and its surrounding habitat. The study found that the pipeline which extends from the shallows to depths of greater than 140 metres had 131 species recorded on it, in... more

Changes to the Northern Territory’s Petroleum (Environment) Regulations came into effect today, with the State Government aiming to increase the level of transparency around onshore petroleum activity within the region. The changes implement recommendations made in the ‘Final Report of the independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing’, which was released on 27 March 2018. The Inquiry investigated the environmental, social and economic risks and impacts of hydraulic fracturing of onshore unconventional gas reservoirs and associated activities in the Northern Territory. The results of theÂ... more

On Tuesday 18 December, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released the ‘Gas Inquiry 2017 - 2020 Interim Report’ which states that gas users’ longer-term concerns about prices in the east coast market could be alleviated if there is additional investment in gas development and key infrastructure. In April 2017, the Australian Government directed the consumer watchdog to conduct a new, wide-ranging inquiry into the supply and demand of Australia's wholesale gas. The investigation found that suppliers expect to produce sufficient gas in the east coast to meet 2019 expected dema... more

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its annual ‘State of the Energy Market’ report which provides a deeper understanding of Australia’s energy sector and how the market is operating. According to the report, the energy market in 2018 was characterised by high prices and rapid change, with widespread concerns about affordability, reliability, security of supply and the industry’s impact on carbon emissions. In terms of consumer satisfaction, in a 2018 survey, only 39 per cent of consumers trusted the market, (down from 50 per cent in 2017) and only 25 per cent of consumers were confi... more

In an Australian-first trial, Australian oil and gas company Santos will commence converting the pumps on their oil wells to solar and battery power to reduce emissions from oil production. On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $4.2 million in funding towards a $16 million trial that will see Santos convert 56 remote crude oil beam pumps to solar and batteries after a successful Australian first pilot installation. 3.2 Megawatts of Solar PV and batteries will be installed at the 56 oil wells across South Australia and Queensland to supply each... more

Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released the 2018 edition of the 'WA Gas Statement of Opportunities report', providing an independent assessment of Western Australia’s domestic gas market from 2019 - 2028. According to the report, the state’s domestic gas market is well-supplied until 2020 but potential gas supply from existing and under construction supply sources may not be enough to meet low, base, or high forecast domestic gas demand. Therefore, prospective supply sources will be required to fill this gap. AEMO’s Executive General Manager WA, Cameron Parrotte, said the findings high... more

38 of Australia’s top scientists and experts have warned the Government of Western Australia is breaking a key election promise by lifting the WA fracking moratorium without conducting a full assessment of climate change impacts. The group wrote an open statement to the WA Premier Mark McGowan and Ministers of the WA Government, noting they strongly reject the conclusions and recommendations of the Independent Fracking Inquiry report as it has ‘seriously underestimated’ the potential carbon pollution from state-wide fracking. The group (which includes leading scientists Professor Fiona Stanley, Dr L... more