Federal Government

Carbon Emissions

Gaps hold back EPA’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from WA industry

WA's EPA is now restraining growth in carbon emissions from industry but it and State and Federal Governments need to do more to keep the State attractive to increasingly climate-concerned investors.

Safety

Review calls for tougher line on offshore safety

A Federal Government review of safety in offshore oil and gas recommends more focus on design changes, diving and mental health and greater input from workers.

Decommissioning

Government hurries to tow Northern Endeavor away by mid-2023

The Federal Government is seeking a contractor to move the troubled Northern Endeavour oil vessel but first it has to be made safe for towing.

Decommissioning

Oil and gas producers to start paying up to $1B to decommission the Northern Endeavour

Australia's oil and gas industry has lost the fight not to bear the full cost of cleaning up after an oil vessel in the Timor Sea with a bankrupt owner.

Renewable Energy

Feds shoot a rare green arrow at $US36B Pilbara ammonia hub

The Pilbara's giant Asian Renewable Energy Hub has been shocked by the Federal Government rejecting it on environmental grounds after awarding it major project status.

Hydrogen

Ammonia export a hope amidst Australia’s hydrogen hype: BNEF

Australia cannot compete exporting difficult to transport hydrogen but could use it locally to make low emissions products like ammonia for overseas markets.

Energy Transition

The budget is a flight of fancy ignoring Australia’s low-emissions future

In this week's budget the Morrison Government ignored clean energy and instead took a long-odds bet that carbon capture and storage will allow fossil fuels to carry on untouched by climate concerns.

Decommissioning

Offshore oil & gas producers to pay for $1B Northern Endeavour cleanup

For every dollar Woodside saved in 2015 selling the Northern Endeavour, the oil and gas industry may have to pay back threefold after the Federal Government moved to protect ordinary taxpayers from the cost of decommissioning the vessel and oil field.

Hydrogen

ARENA backs ATCO and Engie with $71M for WA green hydrogen

WA will be home to two of the largest green hydrogen electrolysers in the world to feed an ammonia plant and inject the clean fuel into the South West gas grid.

Decommissioning

Pitt to oil and gas: you can sell assets but not escape liabilities

Investors in Australia's offshore oil and gas industry will find it harder to avoid paying to clean up the assets they profited from under draft legislation released today.

Safety

Behind closed doors: what worries Australia’s offshore safety regulator NOPSEMA

While Australia's offshore oil and gas industry grew safety regulator NOPSEMA was troubled by cost-cutting operators, old wells to clean up and dealing with COVID-19.

Woodside Petroleum

Woodside’s Coleman: Myanmar coup a “difficult decision” for aggrieved generals

Woodside boss Peter Coleman said the military of Myanmar where Woodside operates "weren't being heard" and staging a coup was a "difficult decision" for the generals.

net-zero 2050

Australia will face carbon levies unless it changes course

President Biden's carbon tariff plan is aimed at China but Australian exporters will be collateral damage unless the Federal Government adopts real measures to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Decommissioning

ENI’s Australian clear out prompts clean up order

ENI's plan to sell out of Australia and leave offshore decommissioning liabilities to others has struck trouble from regulator NOPSEMA and new Government policy proposals.

Decommissioning

Northern Endeavour debacle hits $209M with much more to come

The Government will spend $130 million to look after the Northern Endeavour in 2021 and has the oil and gas industry in its sights for the total bill of more than half a billion dollars.

Decommissioning

Government fights in court for Northern Endeavour oil vessel

The Northern Endeavour saga gets murkier: court battles, Cabinet confidentiality, unspecified environmental problems and maybe a hefty bill for big oil and gas.