WA strikes record domgas production

Western Australia’s domestic gas production for the three months to June was a quarterly record, leaving the state experiencing a surplus of gas while east coast production fell again.

According to the latest report from consultant group EnergyQuest, WA’s domestic gas production reached 106 petajoules in the June quarter, up 8.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

This was in excess of the 97 PJ of consumption, with the surplus flowing into storage.

In comparison, east coast domestic gas production for the quarter was down 6 per cent to 563 PJ, its lowest level since the 2009 financial year.

EnergyQuest chief executive Graeme Bethune said WA’s result was due to its domestic gas reservation policy and successful exploration that has found numerous domestic gas fields both offshore and onshore.

“The latest exciting development is Strike Energy’s West Erregulla discovery in the onshore Perth Basin, within 300 kilometres of Perth,” Mr Bethune said.

“The Perth Basin was believed to be mature but this has been proved wrong with the Waitsia and West Erregulla discoveries.

“This is not small stuff.

“Who knows how much gas might be found within 300 kilometres of Sydney and Melbourne if only companies were able to explore?”