❓ A parliamentary question investigates potential environmental breaches related to fracking activities at Arrowsmith 02, including the storage of unbunded chemicals and a reported spill. The response details the incident, cleanup, and lack of prosecution due to the small spill size.
AnsweredQoN 1107Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to recent hydraulic fracturing (fracking) activities at Arrowsmith 02 near Eneabba, and I ask: (a) when did the fracking operation(s) occur; (b) who conducted the fracking operation(s); (c) is the Minister aware that about 40 x 1000 litre plastic containers full of diesel oil, and possibly other chemicals, are stored uncovered and un-bunded on this frack site; (d) how long have the containers been there; (e) have the containers been inspected by officers from the Department of Mines and Petroleum: (i) if yes to (e), when did this occur and what were the findings; (f) is the long term storage of these 1000 litre plastic containers full of chemicals on the frack site approved under the plans and conditions that apply to this operation under the department’s regulatory system: (i) if yes to (f), will the Minister please table these plans and conditions, and if not, why not; (g) is the Minister aware that several of these 1000 litre plastic containers are now leaking onto the ground: (i) if yes to (g), what has been done to rectify the situation; and (ii) if no to (g), why not and will the Minister now order an investigation; (h) who is responsible for the safe storage, removal and disposal of these chemicals; and (i) if the company is responsible, will it be prosecuted if found to be negligent, causing pollution: (i) if no to (i), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2014
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
49 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a)
From July to September 2012.
(b)
Norwest Energy.
(c)
Yes, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is aware 44 x 1 000L sealed containers containing oil/condensate (recovered from the Arrowsmith 2 well) were stored on site. These have now been removed.
(d)
DMP has been advised that the containers were stored onsite for a total of 20 days due to delays with the transportation company removing the containers from site.
(e)
No, the containers had been removed from the site before the delay in removal was reported to DMP.
i.
Not applicable
(f)
No, the long term storage of the unbunded containers containing oil/condensate was not approved by DMP. The Environment Plan commits to 'All chemicals and hazardous materials are stored in a suitably bunded tank or storage area at the well location.' It was the operator's intention for the transportation company to remove these from site immediately, however, due to unforseen delays they were stored unbunded on site for a total of 20 days.
i.
Not applicable
(g)
DMP is aware that one container had leaked and one litre of oil/condensate had leaked onto the ground. This was reported to DMP after the spill had been cleaned up.
i.
The hydrocarbon spill and contaminated soil have been removed from site and disposed of at an appropriate waste disposal facility.
ii.
The situation has been rectified.
(h)
Norwest Energy.
i.
No
(i)
The spill of one litre is not considered significant and the contaminated soil has been
removed from site and disposed of at an appropriate waste disposal facility.
(a)
From July to September 2012.
(b)
Norwest Energy.
(c)
Yes, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is aware 44 x 1 000L sealed containers containing oil/condensate (recovered from the Arrowsmith 2 well) were stored on site. These have now been removed.
(d)
DMP has been advised that the containers were stored onsite for a total of 20 days due to delays with the transportation company removing the containers from site.
(e)
No, the containers had been removed from the site before the delay in removal was reported to DMP.
i.
Not applicable
(f)
No, the long term storage of the unbunded containers containing oil/condensate was not approved by DMP. The Environment Plan commits to 'All chemicals and hazardous materials are stored in a suitably bunded tank or storage area at the well location.' It was the operator's intention for the transportation company to remove these from site immediately, however, due to unforseen delays they were stored unbunded on site for a total of 20 days.
i.
Not applicable
(g)
DMP is aware that one container had leaked and one litre of oil/condensate had leaked onto the ground. This was reported to DMP after the spill had been cleaned up.
i.
The hydrocarbon spill and contaminated soil have been removed from site and disposed of at an appropriate waste disposal facility.
ii.
The situation has been rectified.
(h)
Norwest Energy.
i.
No
(i)
The spill of one litre is not considered significant and the contaminated soil has been
removed from site and disposed of at an appropriate waste disposal facility.
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