No fracking allowed in permit area under State Government ban
| Date: | Thursday, 19 October 2017 |
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A petroleum exploration permit has been granted to Bunbury Energy for 11 blocks south of Bunbury, within the Perth Basin.
“A condition of the approval is that no hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is to be used to explore or recover petroleum,” Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) Executive Director Petroleum Jeff Haworth said.
“Bunbury Energy is also required to undertake extensive stakeholder engagement with affected communities and Aboriginal groups and reach agreement with landowners regarding land access and compensation arrangements.”
The Exploration Permit EP 496 will remain in force for a period of six years, with provision to extend the permit if resources are able to be commercially extracted,
Mr Haworth said it was estimated that the company will spend at least $12 million for geological and geophysical studies, including 2D seismic surveys and two exploration wells over the six-year period.
As the State Government has already banned fracking activities in the South West the petroleum exploration permit is for conventional gas only.
