Publication Name: The North West Shelf Australia
Authors: W. Carr
Date Published: July 1988
Number of Pages: 19
Reference Type: Book Section
Abstract:
Environment impact assessments of petroleum exploration off the Western Australian coast is guided by the State Conservation Strategy and procedures designed to protect environmentally significant coastal areas. The process may involve staged non-public assessments or reports open for public review. If an economic resource is found, formal assessment of the development proposal may be required.Recently, the State has required formal environmental reporting for three petroleum offshore development projects in cyclone prone tropical waters between Onslow and Barrow Island. These were initially assessed at the exploration phase. Western Mining Corporation's South Pepper/North Herald project and Wapet's Saladin proposal were assessed through Environmental Review and Management Programmes, while Bond Corporation's Harriet development required Notices of Intent.
The different petroleum development proposals each included at least construction of oil storage tanks on a nearby island: WMC on Air lie Island; WAPET, Thevenard Island; Bond Corporation, Varanus Island. All involved separate major issues. Nature Reserves on Thevenard Island and V aranus Island, and W edgetailed Shearwaters nesting on Airlie Island caused particular difficulties. The oil fields feeding the island installations were in shallow waters, with nearby coral reefs and intertidal areas: submarine pipeline routes and possible oil spills were of particular concern. The problems were compounded on Thevenard Island by the presence of a nearby tourist development.