Media release: Oil and gas industry to play key role in reducing WA emissions

The Western Australian oil and gas industry is committed to a cleaner energy future and will continue to work closely with the WA Government and all stakeholders on measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with global targets.

APPEA Director Western Australia Claire Wilkinson said the oil and gas industry was already playing a key role in reducing emissions by supporting renewable energies, delivering cleaner energy compared to traditional fuel sources, and developing low emission technologies.

“We take our responsibility to reduce emissions seriously and will work constructively with the WA Government to lower emissions while providing the reliable energy we all depend on,” Ms Wilkinson said.

The comments come as a paper is released by Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, the Western Australia Minister for Environment, Climate Action and Commerce, that explains the process behind the WA Government’s Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategies (SERS).

The SERS were announced as part of the Western Australian Climate Policy, released November 2020, and will provide a guide to cost-effective emissions reductions across key economic sectors.

“The WA oil and gas industry looks forward to working with Government to deliver the most consistent and appropriate settings to reduce emissions and appreciates the Minister’s collaborative approach.

“We need ongoing reliable and affordable energy as we reduce emissions in WA, which makes natural gas the ideal partner to intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Natural gas allows for more renewables to be integrated into the grid due to the short start-up time needed for gas-fired generators.

“Technology will play an important role in reducing emissions and our members are leading the development of low emission technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. As the Minister’s paper says, we need all the tools in the decarbonisation toolbox.

“We are also focussed on operational improvements such as minimising flaring and venting that have already reduced emissions.”

Ms. Wilkinson said that as Government and industry work together on a SERS for the oil and gas sector, APPEA will aim to avoid any unintended consequences or regulatory duplication that could impact investment in Western Australia.

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