❓ Question regarding abandoned wells by New Standard Energy and potential environmental risks, seeking information on government action and funding.
AnsweredQoN 416Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF MINES,
INDUSTRY REGULATION AND SAFETY — NEW STANDARD ENERGY
416. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
My question without notice is asked
on behalf of Hon Robin Chapple who is out of the Parliament on urgent
parliamentary business.
I refer to the article ''New
Standard Energy to leave wells forsaken'', published by Energy News
Bulletin on 29 April 2020.
(1) Does the
minister agree that the uncapped wells represent a potential environmental
catastrophe?
(2) What action
is the department considering, given fiscal compensation from the proponent is
improbable?
(3) What action
has the department already taken to rectify the situation?
(4) Does the
minister consider it equitable to use tax revenue to mitigate the shortcomings
of multinational oil and gas companies?
INDUSTRY REGULATION AND SAFETY — NEW STANDARD ENERGY
416. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
My question without notice is asked
on behalf of Hon Robin Chapple who is out of the Parliament on urgent
parliamentary business.
I refer to the article ''New
Standard Energy to leave wells forsaken'', published by Energy News
Bulletin on 29 April 2020.
(1) Does the
minister agree that the uncapped wells represent a potential environmental
catastrophe?
(2) What action
is the department considering, given fiscal compensation from the proponent is
improbable?
(3) What action
has the department already taken to rectify the situation?
(4) Does the
minister consider it equitable to use tax revenue to mitigate the shortcomings
of multinational oil and gas companies?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Robin Chapple for the
question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for
Mines and Petroleum.
(1) The
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety continues to monitor the
situation to avoid environmental threats presented by the sites.
(2) New Standard
Energy remains responsible for appropriately managing the risks at the sites.
DMIRS continues to consider all of the powers that exist under the Petroleum
and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967, including penalty provisions, to
ensure that New Standard Energy fulfils these obligations.
(3) As outlined
in the article quoted, DMIRS has issued directions to require New Standard
Energy to rectify the situation and is closely monitoring the situation.
(4) The
government expects companies to adequately provide and plan for all
environmental and safety obligations and has no intention to utilise tax
revenues to mitigate the situation.
question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for
Mines and Petroleum.
(1) The
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety continues to monitor the
situation to avoid environmental threats presented by the sites.
(2) New Standard
Energy remains responsible for appropriately managing the risks at the sites.
DMIRS continues to consider all of the powers that exist under the Petroleum
and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967, including penalty provisions, to
ensure that New Standard Energy fulfils these obligations.
(3) As outlined
in the article quoted, DMIRS has issued directions to require New Standard
Energy to rectify the situation and is closely monitoring the situation.
(4) The
government expects companies to adequately provide and plan for all
environmental and safety obligations and has no intention to utilise tax
revenues to mitigate the situation.
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