From Australia (RW): The Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia has approved plans for expansion of the Greater Gorgon (SEN, 31/23) subsea gas-to-LNG project on Barrow Island into a fourth train. The expansion will see the Chevron-led group push the foundation production of 15mt/a of LNG up to an annual total of 20mt/a.

The expansion includes construction of a feed gas pipeline system along either the Northern Pipeline Route Option or the Southern Pipeline Route Option plus the addition of a fourth LNG train on Barrow with associated infrastructure.

The WA EPA considers the expansion can be managed to meet objectives for benthic species and habitat as well as marine environmental quality. The authority added that the proposal can be managed to meet the objective of air quality and atmospheric gases and also for marine fauna.

The expansion plans received comments during the public review period last summer, many which focussed on impacts to benthic communities, habitat and marine environmental quality from directional drilling and offshore pipelay activities.

Concerns were also raised over impacts on marine fauna, notably turtles, from artificial light, noise and vibration, vessel movements and discharges, and air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

Chevron plans to address these concerns by ensuring the clearing of up to 10ha ofterrestrial vegetation at the plant site falls within the 332ha limit allowed under the Barrow Island Act 2003. It will refine the lighting design to reduce light emissions and impacts on marine fauna and minimise emissions of atmospheric pollutants.

The JV also plans to inject about 80,000t/a of reservoir CO2 generated by the fourth train into a reservoir beneath Barrow Island using the existing injection system infrastructure.

The EPA noted and approved these measures. Chevron’s plan still needs approval from the WA state and federal governments.