From the AFR (selected text):Wesfarmers raises alarm as WA warms...

From the AFR (selected text):

Wesfarmers raises alarm as WA warms to onshore gas backflip

The WA Labor government is developing and modelling options for a new onshore gas policy following calls from companies, including billionaire Chris Ellison’s Mineral Resources, to overturn the export ban to spur international investment.

Some industry sources have suggested the change to the gas policy is imminent, while others have tipped the Cook government to wait until after the May budget before announcing the changes.

MinRes recently lodged plans for an $850 million gas plant with WA’s Special Development Assessment Panel.

Speaking to analysts after Mineral Resources handed down December quarter results, Mr Ellison said the company expected to make a final investment decision before the end of March.

“The only thing we’re waiting on from that is the export allocation approval from our government,” he said.

While the WA government has been conducting a public inquiry into the suitability of its current 15 per cent domestic reserve for offshore gas production, a separate government advisory group has been privately meeting with industry and developing policy regarding the onshore market.