❓ A Western Australian parliamentary question on notice seeks information regarding the use of BTEX chemicals in unconventional gas extraction, waste disposal methods, and chemical assessment processes. The Minister's response indicates no approved unconventional gas extraction operators and outlines the regulatory framework for chemical use and waste management.
AnsweredQoN 7975Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Do any of the currently approved unconventional gas extraction operators in Western Australia use drilling fluids that contain BTEX chemicals and, if so, which companies and where are they operating?
(2) Has the Minister or any other government agency approved the use of BTEX chemicals for use in drilling fluids in the unconventional gas industry in Western Australia and, if so, at which locations and in what quantities?
(3) What percentage of BTEX chemicals are recovered from unconventional gas operations at each site in Western Australia?
(4) How are the drilling wastes disposed of at each site operating in Western Australia?
(5) Does the Government currently have a list of all chemicals used by the unconventional gas industry; and
(a) if not, why not;
(b) if yes, have these chemicals been assessed for use in the unconventional gas industry in Western Australia; and
(c) if not, how has the Government been able to ascertain the long-term impacts on the environment and public health from the use of these chemicals by the unconventional gas industry?
(2) Has the Minister or any other government agency approved the use of BTEX chemicals for use in drilling fluids in the unconventional gas industry in Western Australia and, if so, at which locations and in what quantities?
(3) What percentage of BTEX chemicals are recovered from unconventional gas operations at each site in Western Australia?
(4) How are the drilling wastes disposed of at each site operating in Western Australia?
(5) Does the Government currently have a list of all chemicals used by the unconventional gas industry; and
(a) if not, why not;
(b) if yes, have these chemicals been assessed for use in the unconventional gas industry in Western Australia; and
(c) if not, how has the Government been able to ascertain the long-term impacts on the environment and public health from the use of these chemicals by the unconventional gas industry?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 June 2012
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
28 days
(1) There are no approved unconventional gas
extraction
operators in Western Australia.
(2) No. The use of BTEX chemicals as additives for use in drilling fluids has not been approved. However, it should be realised that there may be traces of BTEX in many commonly used substances, even drinking water.
(3) Not applicable.
(4)
On completion of drilling operations, the water is evaporated and the solids remaining in the evaporation pond are tested for contaminants. If any contamination is present, the solids are excavated and taken to a licensed waste facility for disposal. The excavation is then backfilled, recontoured and rehabilitated.
(5) All chemicals used by the petroleum and gas exploration and production industry are provided to the Department in documentation required under statute and are approved for use by the Department for each operation.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Use of chemicals in the unconventional gas industry in Western Australia is assessed and approved on a case by case basis utilising relevant information from national and international sources.
(c) Not applicable.
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extraction
operators in Western Australia.
(2) No. The use of BTEX chemicals as additives for use in drilling fluids has not been approved. However, it should be realised that there may be traces of BTEX in many commonly used substances, even drinking water.
(3) Not applicable.
(4)
On completion of drilling operations, the water is evaporated and the solids remaining in the evaporation pond are tested for contaminants. If any contamination is present, the solids are excavated and taken to a licensed waste facility for disposal. The excavation is then backfilled, recontoured and rehabilitated.
(5) All chemicals used by the petroleum and gas exploration and production industry are provided to the Department in documentation required under statute and are approved for use by the Department for each operation.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Use of chemicals in the unconventional gas industry in Western Australia is assessed and approved on a case by case basis utilising relevant information from national and international sources.
(c) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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