❓ Hon Sophie McNeill questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding gas seepage near Varanus Island, its impact on marine life, and Santos's awareness and response. The Minister provides limited answers, indicating a lack of specific information.
AnsweredQoN 1241Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Varanus Island—Gas seepage
1241. Hon Sophie McNeill to the minister representing
the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to reports
confirmed in the updated July environment plan from fossil fuel company Santos
of gas seeping from at least 13 locations on the seabed near facilities around
Varanus Island off the Pilbara coast in an area that includes habitat for
humpback whales, turtles and dugongs.
(1) Can the minister please confirm when Santos
first became aware of the gas seepage?
(2) Has Santos submitted the findings of its gas
seepage monitoring program and, if not, when is this expected?
(3) What is the total volume of gas seepage to
date?
(4) Is the minister aware of whether Santos has
stopped, or plans to stop, the gas seepage?
1241. Hon Sophie McNeill to the minister representing
the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to reports
confirmed in the updated July environment plan from fossil fuel company Santos
of gas seeping from at least 13 locations on the seabed near facilities around
Varanus Island off the Pilbara coast in an area that includes habitat for
humpback whales, turtles and dugongs.
(1) Can the minister please confirm when Santos
first became aware of the gas seepage?
(2) Has Santos submitted the findings of its gas
seepage monitoring program and, if not, when is this expected?
(3) What is the total volume of gas seepage to
date?
(4) Is the minister aware of whether Santos has
stopped, or plans to stop, the gas seepage?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question, which was submitted on 4 December, and the
answer is correct as at that time. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
(1) The minister is unable to confirm the date
Santos first became aware.
(2) Santos has provided a variety of results over
the period of its operations.
(3) The total volume of gas seepage to date is
unknown.
(4) Yes.
for some notice of the question, which was submitted on 4 December, and the
answer is correct as at that time. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
(1) The minister is unable to confirm the date
Santos first became aware.
(2) Santos has provided a variety of results over
the period of its operations.
(3) The total volume of gas seepage to date is
unknown.
(4) Yes.
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