
%0 Journal Article
%A Oen, P.M. 
%T THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREATER GORGON GAS FIELDS
%J The APPEA Journal
%D 2003/06/30
%V 43
%N 2
%P 167-177
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ02073
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AJ02073 
%X The vast reservoirs of untapped natural gas found in the Greater Gorgon area off Western Australia&#x2019;s Pilbara coast contain in excess of 11 billion cubic metres (40 trillion cubic feet) of gas, representing some 25% of Australia&#x2019;s total known gas resources. Developing this world-class resource is a matter of national importance as it would secure Australia&#x2019;s position as a leading gas producer and provide a huge new source of wealth for both Australia and Western Australia.The key to unlocking the Greater Gorgon reserves is the development of the Gorgon field&#x2014;one of the largest single gas fields ever discovered in Australia. Establishment of gas processing infrastructure on Barrow Island&#x2014;which lies between the gas field and the mainland&#x2014;would provide a catalyst for the future development of other Greater Gorgon area fields. Gas would be processed at that facility and transported through a gas pipeline to shore, enabling large new competitive supplies of gas to be delivered to the mainland.While the development of Gorgon gas would bring significant benefits&#x2014;A$11 billion investment, A$17 billion in Commonwealth and State taxes and royalties and an annual increase in the nation&#x2019;s export income of A$2.5 billion&#x2014;the Gorgon gas field presents some unique challenges. With little associated liquid hydrocarbons, development costs must be kept to a minimum to maintain commercial viability. In addition, Gorgon gas contains a relatively high content of carbon dioxide (CO2) which results in substantial treatment cost and relatively large potential greenhouse gas emissions.Barrow Island&#x2014;both an internationally important nature reserve and Australia&#x2019;s largest operating onshore oilfield&#x2014;has emerged as the development location that would enable gas from the Gorgon gas fields to be competitive in today&#x2019;s market. The Western Australian Government has said the Gorgon venture (ChevronTexaco, Shell and ExxonMobil) must demonstrate at a strategic level that the proposed Gorgon gas development on Barrow Island can generate economic and social benefits, provide net conservation benefits and mitigate potential on-site impacts. 
