❓ Mr. Johnston questions Premier Barnett on the apparent inconsistency in approving the Prelude floating LNG project in a cyclone zone while raising concerns about a similar Woodside project. Premier Barnett clarifies that Prelude is a Commonwealth project outside WA's jurisdiction and was understood to be for smaller-scale projects.
AnsweredQoN 19Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BROWSE LNG
PROJECT — FLOATING OPTION
19. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Given that the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas facility is 488 metres
long, 12 metres less than the length the Premier just mentioned for the other
proposal, why did the Premier approve that in the Browse Basin in that cyclone
zone? Why is it that the cyclone zone does not affect the Prelude platform of
488 metres, but it does affect the potential Woodside platform of 500 metres?
PROJECT — FLOATING OPTION
19. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Given that the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas facility is 488 metres
long, 12 metres less than the length the Premier just mentioned for the other
proposal, why did the Premier approve that in the Browse Basin in that cyclone
zone? Why is it that the cyclone zone does not affect the Prelude platform of
488 metres, but it does affect the potential Woodside platform of 500 metres?
AnswerView source ↗
It does; clearly it does, but we are talking about an
entirely different scale of project.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We are. And we are talking about a project —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We are also talking about a project, Prelude, that is in
commonwealth waters. The state has no real role there; it is a commonwealth
project in commonwealth waters.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
Why did you approve it?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is a commonwealth project; we did not —
Mr W.J. Johnston :
You gave it approval.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No, not on Prelude.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : However, each project —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Each project is taken on its merit. Prelude is a
comparatively small field and at the time that that was agreed to, it was made
very clear to the Western Australian government—very clear to me
directly—that floating LNG would be used only on smaller scale
projects.
entirely different scale of project.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We are. And we are talking about a project —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We are also talking about a project, Prelude, that is in
commonwealth waters. The state has no real role there; it is a commonwealth
project in commonwealth waters.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
Why did you approve it?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is a commonwealth project; we did not —
Mr W.J. Johnston :
You gave it approval.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No, not on Prelude.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : However, each project —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Each project is taken on its merit. Prelude is a
comparatively small field and at the time that that was agreed to, it was made
very clear to the Western Australian government—very clear to me
directly—that floating LNG would be used only on smaller scale
projects.
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