The subject of this ESD is Bennett Resources Pty Ltd’s Valhalla Gas Exploration and Appraisal Program. Bennett Resources is proposing to undertake an unconventional exploration and appraisal drilling and hydraulic fracture stimulation (HFS) program within Petroleum Exploration Permit EP 371 (EP 371) in the Canning Basin, located in the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley in Western Australia. The proposal comprises the construction of up to twenty (20) exploration and appraisal wells at ten (10) sites, to be drilled to depths in the order of 2000 m to 4000 m below ground level, access tracks, accommodation camps and HFS operations. The program is expected to be completed in a staged manner over seven (7) years.
This is the first proposal to undertake hydraulic fracture stimulation in Western Australia since the Government accepted in-principle the recommendations of the Independent Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation in Western Australia (2018).
It has been referred to the EPA in accordance with regulation 2C of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 which have been amended to require referral of all onshore oil and gas exploration and production proposal involving hydraulic fracture stimulation.
The hydraulic fracture stimulation moratorium on onshore petroleum title EP 371 has been lifted.
The proposal is to undertake an unconventional exploration and appraisal drilling and Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation (HFS) program within existing Petroleum Exploration Permit EP 371 (EP 371) in the Canning Basin, within the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley in Western Australia. The proposal comprises the construction of up to 20 exploration wells at 10 sites, to be drilled to depths in the order of 2000 m to 4000 m below ground level, access tracks and accommodation camps, and HFS operations.
EPA finalises assessment report (including two weeks consultation on draft conditions) and gives report to Minister 1 March 2023 (6 weeks from completion of assessment)
