Western Oz Fracking Plan a Step in Right Direction: Appea

The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (Appea) has welcomed Western Australian (WA) government’s implementation plan for hydraulic fracturing inquiry.

“The plan has outlined actions to implement the independent scientific inquiry’s recommendations and provides a pathway forward for developing some of WA’s onshore oil and gas resources,” Appea said July 15.

The government had constituted an independent scientific inquiry to understand the risks associated with extracting petroleum products using fracking. In September 2018, the inquiry handed its report to government. Last week, the government accepted in principle the inquiry’s recommendations. The plan was approved by government July 8 and outlines the required changes and actions that need to be undertaken.

Appea CEO Andrew McConville said the plan highlighted there were robust regulations in place for onshore exploration and development in WA.

“Hydraulic fracturing has been used safely in WA for more than 60 years and the independent scientific inquiry confirmed that properly regulated, hydraulic fracturing is a safe practice,” McConville said.

McConville said it was vital that the recommendations were implemented with a genuine consideration of science and well-known risks. “WA needs a stable policy framework to ensure certainty and confidence for companies to continue to invest in this important oil and gas state,” he said.