Chevron’s Wheatstone gas project will be subject to 24 environmental conditions, including limits on dredging and blasting, as it moves closer to a formal go-ahead this year.
Environment Minister Bill Marmion announced the conditions today, following appeals against the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) report on the Wheatstone development near Onslow.
“These strict conditions will protect marine fauna, including whales, turtles and dugongs, require $13 million in environmental offsets, and require the company to offset reservoir greenhouse gases which may be up to 2.6 million tonnes each year,” the minister said in a statement.
“It also provides strict dredging conditions to limit the impact on coral reefs. This means dredging must be immediately suspended if there is damage to coral outside defined zones.
“Dredging will only recommence when I am satisfied environmental values are being properly protected.”
The Minister has further strengthened the EPA’s recommended conditions by prohibiting any blasting at night during the humpback whale migration season to avoid disturbing mothers and calves and interrupting communication.
“Given that the area is an important path for humpback whales on their seasonal migration, I strongly endorse new controls on blasting activities for this critical time of year,” he said.
To limit greenhouse gas emissions, the Minister determined the company will need to offset reservoir carbon dioxide emissions, consistent with conditions applying to the Pluto and Gorgon LNG projects. This condition lapses once Commonwealth greenhouse gas arrangements come into effect.
Mr Marmion said the assessment of the proposal had been complex and he would consult with other relevant Ministers to obtain final agreement on the conditions.
Wheatstone will be one of Western Australia’s largest resources projects, second only to Gorgon, which is also operated by Chevron.
The project initially will involve the development of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing trains at a new industrial estate north of Onslow.
A Chevron spokesman said the company was working through the details of the appeals determination.
"We are committed to developing the Project in a manner that is environmentally responsible and consistent with Chevron’s global environmental practices," the spokesman said.
