THE ENERGY BALANCE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Western Australia's internal energy demand is projected to grow more than six times from 1975 until the year 2000. Demand has been divided into transport and non transport sectors in the context of existing known sources of supply (coal, oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids).

Overall, comparing Western Australia's known energy reserves with estimated demand until the end of the century there is a surplus of total energy: natural gas and coal are in excess and there is a critical shortage of liquid fuels, and in particular fuel oil. The shortfall may be reduced by increasing gas production in order to recover the associated liquids.

Known small oil reserves with doubtful economics could further reduce the deficit, but the most reliable method of filling the gap is, however, to find new oil reserves. Exploration prospects are thought to be sufficiently good in Western Australia to fill the gap provided incentive is given by government, but a period of shortage in the immediate future cannot be avoided. The crude expected to be discovered will be light and it is predicted that if large reserves are found it will be necessary to export light products to other States, and import heavy products from overseas to supply the necessary distillate for transportation and rising demand for duel oil in sectors where gas will not penetrate.