Two recent incidents linked to aging oil and gas infrastructure in Western Australia’s north have raised questions about the industry’s commitment to proper decommissioning and environmental cleanup.
In mid-May, Chevron ceased oil production on Barrow Island, located 50 kilometers northwest of Karratha in WA’s Pilbara region, and is now in the process of decommissioning the site. However, Chevron has confirmed that during this process, it detected an unknown amount of gas leaking into the island’s groundwater and surface environment from underground sources.
A Chevron spokesperson stated, “As part of detailed planning for the decommissioning of WA oil infrastructure, data analysis has indicated an environmental risk from the subsurface migration of hydrocarbons, primarily gas, to groundwater and the surface. We have informed relevant regulatory agencies, and we will work with them to develop a comprehensive investigation program.”
The Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration spokesperson said the extent of the gas leak is still being investigated, and details remain unclear.
This gas leak followed a separate incident in the same month involving an oil spill near the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, which occurred during Woodside’s decommissioning of the offshore Griffin oil and gas field.
Decommissioning involves the safe closure of oil and gas sites, with environmental rehabilitation expected afterward. However, critics and environmental groups remain concerned about the risks posed by aging infrastructure.
Greens Member of the Legislative Council, Sophie McNeill, expressed her alarm, saying, “This is deeply concerning. Used offshore oil and gas structures can rupture, leak, and decay, leading to the spread of chemicals and heavy metals into the environment.” The incidents highlight ongoing challenges in managing aging infrastructure and safeguarding Western Australia’s fragile ecosystems.
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