Comet Ridge secures environmental okay for Queensland gas project
Sydney-listed Comet Ridge has been awarded an environmental authority (EA) for its development at Mahalo North, within PLA 1128 in Queensland, it announced on August 6.
The EA, granted by the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), permits development activities within PLA 1128, including the installation of new production wells, compression and water treatment facilities, gathering systems, and access tracks.
Comet Ridge is developing Mahalo North to fulfill its domestic gas supply agreement with CleanCo Queensland, an energy generator, retailer, and developer. The parties had signed the deal in September last year under which Comet Ridge will supply 3 petajoules/year of natural gas from its Mahalo gas hub. The supply is expected during a 12-month window, starting July 1, 2025.
Under Queensland law, development activities planned by Comet Ridge, as well as geothermal and renewable energy projects, require an EA before commencing operations. An EA imposes a stringent environmental regulatory framework, developed by DESI, that governs how operators manage potential environmental risks and impacts.
The EA awarded to Comet Ridge includes numerous industry-standard conditions that the company must meet to ensure activities are conducted without causing environmental harm or violating noise and emissions standards, while balancing the critical role that gas is expected to play as Australia transitions towards the 2050 Net Zero Plan and renewable energy future.
Comet Ridge managing director, Tor McCaul, commented, “This EA award is another key approval step as we move toward gas development in the Mahalo Hub. We are pleased to now have one of our two key environmental approvals in place for Mahalo North and are working through the process for the EPBC [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation] approval from Canberra.”
This EA represents the first development approval for Comet Ridge’s 100% owned Mahalo gas hub assets. The award of this EA is a precursor for the Queensland Department of Resources to grant the petroleum lease (PL) application (PLA 1128) for development activities in this area. Other than confirmation of the EA award, Comet Ridge does not anticipate any further requirements from the Queensland Government before the granting of PL 1128.
The next approval required before development activities can commence at Mahalo North is approval under the EPBC Act 1999. Comet Ridge submitted a referral in October 2023 to the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under the EPBC Act, and this process is ongoing.
The Mahalo gas hub area, where Comet Ridge operates, includes the Mahalo gas project, Mahalo North, Mahalo East, and Mahalo Far East. Comet Ridge was recently awarded an additional gas block by the Queensland government in the Mahalo gas hub area.