Fracking gas leak probe
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has launched an investigation into a damaged valve at Buru Energy’s Yulleroo gas field east of Broome, amid claims by environmental groups it had caused “a dangerous gas leak”.
The DMP probe was triggered by claims by Environs Kimberley of a significant leak at the Yulleroo-2 well site, only for inspectors to register low level gas readings with methane levels below the department’s lower explosive limit.
However, the inspectors discovered physical damage to the valve stem, which had been bent to cause the leak.
“The minor gas leak poses minimal risk and the valve will be repaired as quickly as possible,” DMP petroleum division executive director Jeff Haworth said.
“It appears at this stage there has been no equipment or process failure by (Buru).
“The damage presents a serious concern if a third party has been involved. In light of the serious nature of the damage involved, the department will be investigating further.”
Environs Kimberley had claimed gas meter readings at Yulleroo were “dangerous enough to explode” to illustrate why “this dangerous, polluting industry has no place in a world renown tourism mecca like the Kimberley”. It was also another example of the dangers of fracking, at Yulleroo.
Buru said “a minor amount of gas” was released only when the damaged valve was moved. “No gas was released until the valve was manually moved,” a spokesman said.
