Chevron told to cut its gases

Age
16 June 2011, Page: 5

Chevron has been told to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and give greater consideration to whale migrations if it wants to proceed with its Wheatstone LNG project off Western Australia's north west coast. The recommendations were among several delivered by the WA Environment Protection Authority as it granted conditional approval to the massive project. EPA approval was one of the main hurdles between Chevron and development of the 25 million tonnes a year gas project, expected to reach a final investment decision before the end of this year.

The EPA found the project would produce about 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, which would increase Australia's emissions profile by just under 2%. Chevron was told to improve its emissions profile to match those achieved by rival Woodside Petroleum at the Pluto LNG project. The EPA also found Chevron had given insufficient attention to the project's effect on some protected species, and told it to take extra measures to reduce the impact of noise on humpback whales and of light on turtles. The EPA said environmental damage could be kept to acceptable levels if the precautions were heeded.