Energy minister Bill Johnston says a gas leak at a pipeline off the coast of WA’s Pilbara region, which has reduced output at the Varanus Island processing facility, will not impact the state’s gas supply.
Major gas producer Santos said it shut down the John Brookes platform – about 100 kilometres west of Karratha – after identifying a leak during “routine activities” at the facility, which is normally unstaffed.
Gas and oil from the platform feed into the nearby Santos-operated Varanus Island processing facility, which supplies major mining and industrial customers in WA.
Mr Johnston said there was "no expectation at this time" that the shutdown of the facility would impact the supply chain.
"There's so many other supply points for natural gas, and in addition to that we also have a number of storage facilities that can supply gas," he said.
"It's quite possible to replace the supply from Varanus without challenging the system at this stage, but obviously we'd like to see the Santos facility repaired as quickly as possible.
"It's not a failure of the well, or well integrity...which would be a much more difficult project to rectify."
Santos said repairs at the John Brookes platform are expected to take approximately four to six weeks before the return of full production.
Liberals warn of blackouts
WA Liberals Leader David Honey rebuked efforts by Mr Johnston and Santos to play down the incident.
"There is, I think, a significant risk of that leading to power blackouts," Mr Honey said.
"Now, Santos say they're sourcing additional gas. I hope they're successful."
It's understood other gas fields will continue to feed the Varanus Island processing facility.
"Varanus Island will continue producing at reduced rates and no changes to Santos' previously communicated production market guidance is anticipated," Santos stated in an announcement.
Leak stirs memories of 2008 explosion
An explosion at the Varanus Island gas processing facility in 2008 caused the shutdown of a third of WA's gas supply.
The incident caused widespread havoc, leaving hundreds of businesses with reduced energy, while home owners were left to bear the brunt by cutting down their use of power.
More than 150 staff were evacuated. None were injured, but the facility was forced to temporarily shut down.
A report by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety watchdog found the explosion was a result of poor inspection and monitoring by gas company Apache Energy, which is now a joint partner with Santos.
