Question On Notice No. 3412 asked in the Legislative Council on 11 November 2020 by Hon Tim Clifford
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I note that liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities have a quarterly reporting period requirement and report CO2-equivalent:
(a) how are methane emissions currently measured from Western Australia's five LNG facilities and where are they recorded;
(b) is the Minister aware that once leakage rates are above three per cent, LNG is considered to be more damaging than coal and there has been a widespread underestimation and underreporting of methane in Australia and overseas;
(c) for the Burrup Hub project, what methane leakage rates (fugitive emissions) in relation to scope one and three emissions has the Department assumed and how is this currently being measured; and
(d) for all existing LNG facilities, what methane leakage rates (fugitive emissions) in relation to scope one and three emissions has the Department assumed and how is this currently being measured?
Answered on 26 November 2020
a) Methane emissions generated from WA’s five LNG facilities (Wheatstone, Gorgon, NW Shelf, Pluto and Macedon) are estimated using emissions factors, or measured and reported to the Commonwealth Government under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (NGER Act). The NGER Act is the single national framework for reporting and disseminating company information about greenhouse gas emissions, and energy production and consumption.
b) I am advised that the International Energy Agency estimates that 98 per cent of gas consumed today has a lower lifecycle emissions intensity than coal. This takes into account both carbon dioxide and methane emissions.
c) and d) Major LNG facilities are subject to greenhouse gas reporting requirements under the NGER Act which is administered by the Commonwealth Government. I am advised that methane leakage rates (fugitive emissions) for Woodside’s Burrup Hub projects and other existing LNG facilities are estimated for Scope 1 and 2 emissions using the leakage factors in the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determinations 2008.
New proposals on the Burrup peninsula that have greenhouse gas emissions identified as a preliminary key environmental factor are subject to environmental impact assessment by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). In accordance with the EPA’s guidelines, proponents are required to provide estimates of their greenhouse gas emissions in their environmental assessment documentation.