Regulating the environmental impact of tight and shale gas tight gas projects in Western Australia: an assessment of the existing regulatory frameworks

This paper analyses the WA legal framework regulating the impact of tight and shale gas (T&SG) (project development, especially during the extended appraisal phase. It assesses whether the existing regulatory framework in WA is capable or regulating the environmental impacts of tight and shale gas activities in Western Australia, or whether it still favours conventional petroleum projects. An assessment of the appraisal phase of shale gas development, under the Western Australian petroleum regulatory framework concludes that the framework, whilst sound, needs to respond to the special requirements of the extended appraisal that is unique to shale gas resource assessment. In assessing whether the existing regulatory framework for T&SG activities in Western Australia is best practice, this paper identifies a need for specific chemical spill contingency plans and well integrity response plans in order to minimize the environmental impact in the event of blowouts or loss of well control.