Gas production in Western Australia as of 2009 (Geoscience Australia; US Energy Information Administration)
Australian explorers Norwest Energy and AWE are set to begin drilling for shale gas this June in Western Australia (WA), which earlier this month cleared the way for the companies’ hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) programmes at a time when most other Australian states are taking steps to block the controversial drilling method.
Norwest and AWE announced on Monday that they will begin fracking at the Arrowsmith 2 evaluation well in the Perth Basin, which Norwest operates with a 55.5% share, in early June, when Halliburton Australia moves its hydraulic stimulation equipment from a site in eastern Australia. AWE will also drill its Woodada Deep 1 shale gas well and Senecio 2 tight gas well.
The three drilling programmes hung in limbo for close to six months because of a complaint lodged in September with the state Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which forced Norwest and AWE to halt their operations.
Natural Gas Review
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