Photo by: Bloomberg
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Buru Energy has been cleared to start hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, at its Laurel Formation tight gas exploration programme, after gaining approval from the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP).
Earlier this month, Environment Minister Albert Jacobs upheld the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) decision that Buru be allowed to frack for gas, despite opposition from environmentalists.
Buru MD Keiran Wulff said on Monday that the DMP determination included an approval of the project’s environmental plan, as well as operational and safety plans for the programme.
The programme would now start with preliminary site preparation during the dry season, and the overall programme would involve the stimulation of tight gas zones in existing vertical exploration wells, to assess their geological and commercial potential.
The exploration programme was the first stage of a possible multi-stage exploration, appraisal and development programme for tight gas, which would be undertaken over the next several years, and would be subject to demonstrating commercial viability and continued regulatory approvals, Wulff said.
“There is considerable interest on a national scale to understand the commercial potential of tight gas in the Canning basin, and to ensure our programme is undertaken with utmost consideration to the environment and community,” Wulff added.
“Not only is our programme small-scale with no significant environmental impact according to EPA guidelines, but it is also backed up by very rigorous studies, testing and analysis.
“Various independent expert review processes have also been undertaken to ensure appropriate environmental safeguards are in place for the activities.”
The plan was to undertake 32 fracking treatments in four existing vertical exploration wells about 90 km from Broome, and two in an area some 320 km from Broome.