Environmental update for 2007
Gordon Baird A and Mark Lorkin BA Woodside Energy Ltd
B Sinclair Knight Merz
The APPEA Journal 48(1) 413-422 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ07029
Published: 2008
Abstract
This environmental update for 2007 covers key environmental issues and development updates for the upstream oil and gas industry in Australia. Driven by market opportunities, the continued significant growth in the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves in Australia is considered against the environmental issues and challenges this growth presents. The number of large projects is testing regulatory approvals processes at a time when there is an ever rigorous and adapting regulatory climate, an increasing need for stakeholder engagement, and sustainability considerations.
The review includes a summary of the environmental approval status of the large number of LNG projects in their various stages of development, as well as summary statistics on oil and gas activities in relation to assessment under the key Commonwealth environmental assessment legislation, the EPBC Act. An overview of changes in the main oil and gas legislation is also provided.
Major environmental issues affecting the oil and gas industry are summarised, along with details of some of the main areas of ongoing environmental research initiatives.
Finally, a summary of the review draws together the matters described in the environmental update for 2007.
Gordon Baird has a degree in science. He joined Woodside two years ago after a seventeen-year-career in the mining industry where he worked primarily in operational environmental roles. Gordon now leads the environmental function at Woodside as it implements Woodside’s environment strategy and plans. He represents Woodside on the APPEA Environmental Affairs Committee. gordon.baird@woodside.com.au |
Mark Lorkin holds qualifications in engineering geology and geotechnics and environmental science, and is an Associate Member, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (UK), (AIEMA). Mark has more than 15 years broad environmental engineering and science experience, achieved within both industry and consulting sectors, primarily focussing on the oil & gas industry in the UK, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Mark has managed corporate environmental management system implementation within a large operational E&P company environment, managed multi-discipline environmental study projects and has led LNG development project environmental regulatory approvals in Western Australia. Mark now leads the oil and gas environmental project services group within Sinclair Knight Merz following environmental positions with Shell and Zakum Development National Oil Company in the UAE. mlorkin@skm.com.au |
