Shale and tight gas water management seminar attracts international experts

Industry professionals and scientists will be briefed on regulation of shale and tight gas industry in Western Australia
Date: Wednesday, 03 June 2015

Seminar aims to discuss impacts of shale and tight gas developments on groundwater

Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) specialists will participate in a two-day seminar on water management for shale and tight gas exploration and production where they will showcase how Western Australia regulates this emerging industry.

Leading international petroleum industry professionals and scientists will be in Perth next month for the seminar, on 8-9 June, which will focus on the emerging industry in Western Australia, as well as draw on experience from around the world.

Representatives of the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and the Department of Water will participate in the event, organised by the WA branches of the Association of Hydrogeologists, Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

DMP Director General Richard Sellers said he was impressed by the line-up of speakers and the range of topics being addressed.

“This is a gathering of minds in the areas of hydrogeology, geophysics and engineering that is focused on protecting Western Australia’s groundwater,” he said.

“The role of the State Government representatives attending the seminar is to tell industry professionals and scientists how the shale and tight gas and hydraulic fracturing will be regulated in Western Australia to make sure that companies do the right thing and the environment and communities are protected.”

Program sessions will include local, interstate and international case studies and details of new and existing State Government policy on and regulation of the industry.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion will officially open the seminar.

DMP speakers at the seminar will include:

  • Petroleum Executive Director Jeff Haworth who will talk on new regulations and guidelines along with Tadas Bagdon, Executive Director, Department of Water Policy and Innovation,
  • Senior Environment Officer Brad Jakowyna discussing groundwater and environmental monitoring guidelines, and
  • Petroleum Geologist Nina Triche who will provide an overview of prospectivity of shale gas in Western Australia.

When: 8-9 June, 2015
Where: Parmelia Hilton, Mill Street, Perth

To register or for more information.