PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government has awarded ASX-listed Strike Energy’s gas acceleration strategy Lead Agency Service.

The company earlier this year unveiled the strategy to bring up to four gas fields into commercial production by 2025, using the near A$136-million in proceeds from the sale of its Warrego Energy stake to suitor Hancock Energy. The strategy will include the development of the Walyering, Ocean Hill and South and West Erregulla gas fields.

Under the Lead Agency framework, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation will provide Strike’s gas projects with case management for government interfaces, and the coordination of approvals across a range of government departments.

This will assist Strike in navigating the approvals processes and ensuring efficient communication between government agencies. Ultimately, this assistance will support Strike to remain on track to deliver these four critical domestic gas projects into the Western Australian market as planned by the end of 2025.

“The award of Lead Agency Service from the Western Australian government in support of Strike’s Gas Acceleration Strategy is recognition of the important role that Strike will play in the state's future energy security,” said Strike MD and CEO Stuart Nicholls.

“This framework will help Strike meet its target of bringing its four gas fields online by the end of 2025 when the Western Australian gas market is forecast to be in a severe tightness.

“Gas is an important driver of the Western Australian economy and is an enabler for a rapid reduction in the carbon intensity of our energy system by displacing coal- and diesel-fired power generation which remains widespread throughout the state. The state’s move into critical mineral processing and value adding to our natural resources only underpins the significant partnership of Strike’s gas with the world’s energy transition.”