The West Australian government has confirmed an active investigation into repeated large methane emissions from Chevron's Gorgon gas project off the Pilbara coast. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) initially struggled with jurisdiction but is now working to determine the cause of the emissions and engaging with Chevron for an appropriate response.
The Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, one of Australia's largest with a capacity of 15.6 million tonnes per year, has been under scrutiny since November last year. The Tanager-1 satellite detected five consecutive methane clouds, with the most recent emission rate reaching 7.8 tonnes of methane per hour near the plant's acid gas removal units, making it the highest methane emitter in Western Australia.
Chevron has not commented on the state investigation but acknowledged corresponding with the UN over its data. The UN had warned Chevron about its emissions in July last year and as recently as August this year. WA Greens MLC Sophie McNeill criticized DWER's lack of monitoring and the government's failure to fine gas companies for unauthorized pollutant leaks.
During a Senate Estimates hearing, independent senator David Pocock questioned the federal government's lack of involvement, highlighting the unexplained methane release over the past year. Chevron is required to report its emissions annually through the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme. Australia aims to reduce emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.