The state government will lift a ban on fracking in prospective areas of Western Australia after an independent inquiry found the petroleum exploration practice to be low risk.
Tokyo-based Inpex has achieved a significant milestone, with the first shipment of LNG departing the company's $46 billion Ichthys project at its onshore plant in Darwin.
Most chemicals used in hydraulic fracking are not harmful, while precautions can be taken to prevent problems from those substances which are, according to a CSIRO report released today.
The federal government has commissioned ACIL Allen and GHD to study the possible development of a pipeline from Western Australia to the eastern states, one of the critical elements of a possible national gas market.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA has warned a Commonwealth Grants Commission proposal for states to retain more revenue from royalty rate changes when calculating the GST distribution might encourage tax hikes, potentially discouraging investment in the mining industry.
WA Labor plans to ban fracking in the South West, but will not ban the drilling technique in other areas such as the Kimberley and the Mid West where it has been undertaken.
Chevron's $55 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project has finally shipped its first cargo, two weeks after production commenced at the first of three gas processing trains.
