The Western Australian Government has announced new petroleum environment regulations which mandate public disclosure of any chemicals introduced into a well or formation.

 

State Mines and Petroleum Minister, Norman Moore, said the Petroleum Environment Regulations would be introduced under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act.

 

“The regulations aim to ensure petroleum and geothermal operations are conducted in accordance with best industry practice and ecologically sustainable development,” Mr Moore said.


“A key element of the regulations is to mandate public disclosure of any chemicals introduced into a well or formation, which will be made available on the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) website.

 

The changes are complementary to recommendations from a DMP-initiated independent review of WA’s regulatory framework for unconventional gas activities in WA, conducted in 2011 by petroleum law expert Dr Tina Hunter.


The Hunter Review concluded that current regulatory processes were stringent but required further strengthening to improve legal enforceability.