Six onshore areas within Canning Basin released for bidding
| Date: | Monday, 07 November 2016 |
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Senior staff from the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) Petroleum and Environment Divisions are travelling the Kimberley this week to conduct stakeholder and community information sessions about the latest petroleum acreage releases in the Canning Basin.
Six of the blocks released are located in the Canning Basin ranging in size from 1,770 square kilometres to more than 8,000 square kilometres.
Executive Director of Petroleum Jeff Haworth said that the meetings and information sessions were an opportunity for Kimberley community leaders, government organisations, and business and Indigenous groups to discuss onshore petroleum exploration and development with department experts.
"DMP assesses and regulates onshore petroleum activities throughout the State, ensuring that operators apply world’s best safety, health and environmental practices," Mr Haworth said.
"We are also committed to effective stakeholder engagement to ensure that the communities which host resource industries and the wider WA community are informed about resource activities locally and throughout the State.
“These stakeholder engagement sessions will also provide an opportunity for the department to learn more about the community and the questions that people have in regard to onshore petroleum exploration.”
During the week-long visit DMP staff will meet with Indigenous groups, State Government department heads, Chambers of Commerce, pastoralist groups, and shire representatives to discuss various petroleum topics including the processes involved in the latest petroleum acreage release and the state of the industry.
Mr Haworth said title would not be granted until a preferred bidder is selected and they successfully complete native title negotiations..
Mr Haworth said further exploration of these recently gazetted acreage release areas would provide valuable geoscientific information and knowledge for the State.
“The geoscientific data that is collected through exploration is important. It helps provide insights into the petroleum prospectivity and potential resources of the State,” he said.
Petroleum discoveries made from such exploration activities, have the potential to enhance the State’s future energy security.
As part of the approvals process, petroleum operators are required to submit detailed environmental plans.
"Petroleum operators are also required to undertake open and ongoing community engagement activities throughout the life of the project," Mr Haworth said.
