❓ (1) In relation to Buru Energy Ltd’s storage of oily hydrocarbon sludge from its Wyndham export facility at its Ungani oil production facility during 2023 and 2024, what final disposal method did DMPE
AnsweredQoN 1351Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In
relation to Buru Energy Ltd’s storage of oily hydrocarbon sludge from its
Wyndham export facility at its Ungani oil production facility during 2023 and
2024, what final disposal method did DMPE approve or licence in relation to the
sludge? (2) Did
DMPE at any stage approve or licence Buru Energy to dispose of the oily
hydrocarbon sludge by pumping it underground down one of its injection wells at
Ungani? (3) Did
Buru Energy discuss this as a disposal method with DMPE: (a) if
yes to (3), what was DMPE’s response? (4) Did
DMPE formally advise DWER of its approval of the transport and storage of the
oily hydrocarbon sludge: (a) if yes to (4),
when did it do so, and in what form; and (b) if no to (4),
why not? (5) In
total, for how long was the oily hydrocarbon sludge stored in an open pond or
dam at Ungani? (6) Did
DMPE conduct any prior environmental or pollution risk assessment in relation
to the storage of oil hydrocarbon sludge in an open pond or dam over a
Kimberley wet season: (a) if
no to (6), why not? (7) Did
DMPE conduct any monitoring of the oily hydrocarbon sludge stored in an open
pond or dam at Ungani throughout the period it was stored there: (a) if
no to (7), why not? (8) If
it did conduct a risk assessment, will DMPE table that assessment: (a) if
no to (8), why not? (9) What
has been the final fate of all the oily hydrocarbon sludge stored at Ungani? (10) What
compliance action has DMPE taken, for example through fines, penalties, changes
to licence conditions, more frequent inspections or any other regulatory action
to ensure an incident like this does not happen again? (11) If DMPE
has done nothing, why is that?
relation to Buru Energy Ltd’s storage of oily hydrocarbon sludge from its
Wyndham export facility at its Ungani oil production facility during 2023 and
2024, what final disposal method did DMPE approve or licence in relation to the
sludge? (2) Did
DMPE at any stage approve or licence Buru Energy to dispose of the oily
hydrocarbon sludge by pumping it underground down one of its injection wells at
Ungani? (3) Did
Buru Energy discuss this as a disposal method with DMPE: (a) if
yes to (3), what was DMPE’s response? (4) Did
DMPE formally advise DWER of its approval of the transport and storage of the
oily hydrocarbon sludge: (a) if yes to (4),
when did it do so, and in what form; and (b) if no to (4),
why not? (5) In
total, for how long was the oily hydrocarbon sludge stored in an open pond or
dam at Ungani? (6) Did
DMPE conduct any prior environmental or pollution risk assessment in relation
to the storage of oil hydrocarbon sludge in an open pond or dam over a
Kimberley wet season: (a) if
no to (6), why not? (7) Did
DMPE conduct any monitoring of the oily hydrocarbon sludge stored in an open
pond or dam at Ungani throughout the period it was stored there: (a) if
no to (7), why not? (8) If
it did conduct a risk assessment, will DMPE table that assessment: (a) if
no to (8), why not? (9) What
has been the final fate of all the oily hydrocarbon sludge stored at Ungani? (10) What
compliance action has DMPE taken, for example through fines, penalties, changes
to licence conditions, more frequent inspections or any other regulatory action
to ensure an incident like this does not happen again? (11) If DMPE
has done nothing, why is that?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 May 2026
Responded by
Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
3 days
The program the member refers to was for the transportation and storage of hydrocarbons and not “oily hydrocarbon sludge” as described.
(1) The hydrocarbons were exported to international markets.
(2) No.
(3) No.
(4) No.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) The approval went through established approval processes; approvals of this nature are not routinely notified to other agencies and there was no exceptional treatment in this case.
(5) Approximately 14 months.
(6) Yes.
(7)-(8) Buru Energy Ltd was required to monitor its storage of hydrocarbons at the Ungani Production Facility and had approved monitoring and reporting arrangements in place. The Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) monitored Ungani Production Facility compliance.
(9) Refer to (1) above.
(10)-(11) DMPE has not received reports of an incident in relation to this matter.
(1) The hydrocarbons were exported to international markets.
(2) No.
(3) No.
(4) No.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) The approval went through established approval processes; approvals of this nature are not routinely notified to other agencies and there was no exceptional treatment in this case.
(5) Approximately 14 months.
(6) Yes.
(7)-(8) Buru Energy Ltd was required to monitor its storage of hydrocarbons at the Ungani Production Facility and had approved monitoring and reporting arrangements in place. The Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) monitored Ungani Production Facility compliance.
(9) Refer to (1) above.
(10)-(11) DMPE has not received reports of an incident in relation to this matter.
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