New oil and gas well regulations up for public comment

A revised version of WA’s controversial oil and gas well management regulations have been released for public comment today by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP).

DMP Executive Director for Petroleum, Jeff Haworth said the draft well management regulations were developed in response to recommendations received from an independent review the department commissioned in 2011.

“The review recommended greater regulatory transparency and enforceability, particularly in response to heightened public interest in Western Australia’s emerging shale and tight gas industry and hydraulic fracturing,” he said.

“These regulations are a key part of the State Government’s integrated regulatory framework for oil and gas activities that provides protection for communities, the environment and water resources. Various Government agencies are involved, including the Departments of Environment Regulation, Water, Health and the Environmental Protection Authority.”

“With more than one million shale gas wells hydraulically fractured around the world, DMP has drawn on experiences in other jurisdictions to ensure these new regulations reflect the latest scientific and technological advancements in the oil and gas sector.”

“A key lesson we have learnt from other jurisdictions is the need for greater transparency and accountability in regards to the protection of groundwater resources near onshore oil and gas activities,” Mr Haworth said.

“The new regulations will introduce requirements for petroleum companies to have baseline water monitoring for their groundwater management strategies for field development.

“DMP will soon be releasing guidelines which will assist petroleum companies to identify the extent of baseline groundwater monitoring and what they need to consider to ensure monitoring is carried out effectively.”

The draft regulations will also adopt a new ‘whole-of-life’ approach to well construction and management to further strengthen obligations on companies to ensure wells are fit for purpose.

“These strengthened requirements, together with new water monitoring requirements and the State’s existing petroleum environment and safety regulations will ensure the State’s water resources are protected from oil and gas activities,” Mr Haworth said.

The public comment period closes 5:00pm WST, 30 May 2014 and the finalised regulations will be gazetted later this year.

For more information, please visit www.dmp.wa.gov.au/RMAR