GORGON GAS PROJECT —
CHEVRON PROCESSING FACILITY
246. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to Chevron's failure
yet again to comply with its obligation to capture emissions from the Gorgon
gas project by injecting carbon dioxide beneath Barrow Island.
(1) What is the
total amount of CO2 emissions that have been released into our
atmosphere as a result of this failure?
(2) Could the
minister please provide details of any meetings that have been held between the
government and Chevron in relation to this issue since forming government,
including attendees, dates and minutes of any meetings?
(3) The minister
has been quoted as saying that he might step in if the injections do not start
in six months or a year's time. Could the minister please provide a clearer
indication of how long he will continue to give Chevron the benefit of the
doubt?
(4) If Chevron
fails to commence injections within the minister's accepted time frame,
what measures will the minister take to require Chevron to offset the emissions
that have occurred as a result of its failure to meet its obligations?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) Providing
the information to answer these questions in the time required is not possible.
I request that the member place these questions on notice.
(3)–(4) On
11 April 2018, the Environmental Protection Authority received my request to
inquire into the commencement conditions for the reservoir carbon dioxide
injection system of ministerial statement 800. The inquiry was requested
following the release of the annual environmental performance reporting for the
Gorgon gas development project, as it had become apparent that there needed to
be a clearly defined starting point for the commencement of the carbon dioxide
injection system. The EPA is currently undertaking this inquiry and will report
to me when completed.