Woodside gets nod for Browse delay - The West Australian

Peter Coleman. Picture: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Woodside gets nod for Browse delay - The West Australian:

Apart from high-profile opposition from environmentalists and some sections of the Broome community, some of Woodside's partners are also opposed to the James Price Point plan, arguing privately it is too expensive.

The dissenting partners want to use the Browse Basin gas as backfill for the North West Shelf LNG venture, which would require a pipeline to be laid from off the Kimberley coast to the Burrup Peninsula.

The backfill option would be substantially cheaper than the James Price Point proposal, which analysts have tipped could cost more than $30 billion.

But it would also delay development of the Browse Basin fields by several years.

Woodside had refused to comment on the cost speculation, citing the ongoing tender process.

Outrage over order to dump toxic spoils on reef | The Australian

If the proposed liquefied natural gas export industry extends its arms to James Price Point, we can all say goodbye to our beautiful coastal environment of the Damiper Peninsula and especially Broome.

Goodbye Cable Beach, a beach voted the 3rd most beautiful in the world and farewell Roebuck Bay, an international listed Ramsar site.

With the toxic spoils from the dredging, mixed with the biggest tides of the world, you do not have to be a rocket scientist to understand that the impacts on marine life will be despicable, recreational and commercial fishing will be obliterated, the tourism industry shattered, our national heritage listed sites devastated, community and lifestyles demolished and our dreamt future for our children and theirs crushed.

The Broome Shire has the moral obligation and social responsibility to fund and instigate a fact finding mission to Gladstone with representatives from our local recreational clubs, non-government agencies, social services organisations, tourism representatives, environmental groups, fishing and sporting clubs and small business advocates.

Their mission would be to simply investigate the facts on the impacts the LNG development has had on Gladstone’s community and social fabric, their local economic base and the environment and report their findings back to the Broome community in an open public forum.

Open public discussions, with complete and true information about the LNG proposal at James Price Point needs to be undertaken in Broome in order for the community to really understand the turmoil, the sickness and the trepidation a massive destructive project of this nature will have on the Damiper Peninsula.

Every member of the Broome Community should be shouting from their rooftops for their rights to FREE AND INFORMED CONSENT to ensure we do not have to experience what the Gladstone community is suffering or be traumatized in trying to mitigate total ecological wreckage and the social lunacy that comes with it.


Outrage over order to dump toxic spoils on reef | The Australian: MILLIONS of tonnes of potentially toxic dredge spoils from coal and gas port expansions along the Queensland coast have been earmarked to be dumped into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The federal government has told the park authority to raise working capital by imposing a dumping fee of between $5 and $15 per cubic metre.

The proposal has enraged fishing and conservation groups, which have called it "pay to pollute" environmental vandalism.

The plan coincides with long-running concerns over the impact on marine life of dredging at Gladstone Harbour to make way for the $70 billion liquefied natural gas export industry.

Woodside gas hub approvals questioned - The West Australian

Woodside gas hub approvals questioned - The West Australian: An environmental group has accused Woodside Petroleum of trying to bypass legally required approvals for its proposed $30 billion gas hub in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

But Woodside says it has fulfilled all its requirements and is working with the State Government and the Shire of Broome on the liquified natural gas project.

Environs Kimberley says Woodside did not have shire approval for a laydown area with a fuel tank, transportable accommodation, offices, toilets, fences, gates, a vehicle washdown area and drilling.

Director Martin Pritchard said Woodside was originally granted approval from the shire in 2012 to develop some facilities but have since been working on other facilities and have not gained the appropriate approvals.

Outlook cools for energy heavyweights

Fitch Ratings has sounded a warning on the outlook for the Australian oil and gas industry as sector heavyweights announce falls in their quarterly production results.

Fitch issued a negative credit outlook for the sector this year, saying companies faced rising debt due to the large number of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects that were not yet generating revenue.

The agency also has forecast that strong prices for LNG will fall due to competition from North American gas fields.
Fitch Ratings director of energy and utilities Sajal Kishore says skilled labour shortages have contributed to cost blow-outs and project delays.

"What we're seeing more now is that companies are coming out more frequently with announcements of delays, which was not happening two years ago," Mr Kishore said.

Woodside 'seeking alternatives' to James Price Point

Woodside 'seeking alternatives' to James Price Point
By Luke Waters
World News Australia

There are major doubts surrounding one of Australia's largest resource ventures, with Woodside Petroleum seeking to delay its $30b Kimberley gas project

While the company insists the controversial proposals at James Price Point in Western Australia will go ahead in the longer term, a final decision for the project north of Broome may now be delayed until mid-2013.

SBS's Luke Waters has learned that some analysts believe alternative locations are already being canvassed.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1613621/Woodside-seeks-delay-to-Browse-LNG-project

Moving right along: what powers do police have to 'move-on' protestors?

Moving right along: what powers do police have to 'move-on' protestors?: When police removed a young woman’s “tent dress” this week at the Occupy Melbourne encampment, it was yet another controversial interaction between protesters and authorities.

As shown in the Occupy movement, the increasing regulation of public spaces through intensive policing is a global phenomenon. Governments across Australia are introducing increasingly strident laws to police public spaces.

However, the evidence shows that these powers do not reduce crimes, they are exercised in a discriminatory way against young people, racial minorities and people experiencing homelessness, and they breach the norms and standards of international human rights laws.

Water, water everywhere but not a drop of truth at James Price Point

Woodside's Water Licenses are illegal at James Price Point. No Cultural Heritage clearances, as required under the Act, were obtain either through KLC or the Goolarabooloo/Jabirr Jabirr Claimants.

Woodside have a very bad habit of telling stakeholders conflicting information. They tell the Broome Shire one thing about the number of bores they wish to establish in Country. They tell the Kimberley Land Council another amount, they request licenses from the Department of Water for a considerable amount more and go on to tell the Broome Community something entirely different or nothing at all.Water

Woodside CEO, Peter Coleman's unannounced visit to James Price Point on Friday November 18, 2011.
Please note that there are no Cultural Guides with this party and they have just been walking in Registered Cultural Heritage Sites.
Why did Woodside deny that Coleman was in Broome when questioned by local media? To scared to face the Broome Community? To scared to enter Country? Or to ashamed to face the facts that Culture is still strong in Lurrujarri.

James Price Point marine mammal studies slammed — The Wilderness Society

James Price Point marine mammal studies slammed — The Wilderness Society

James Price Point marine mammal studies slammed

Rare Snubfin dolphin on the Kimberley Coast near James Price Point, Photograph: Simon Allen

Whilst Woodside and the Department of State Development are trying to downplay the impact the proposed James Price Point gas hub will have on marine mammals, a team of independent scientists from Murdoch University took a clear-eyed look into the likely impacts on the whales, dolphins and dugongs. What they found was alarming.

“In general, we find the (Department of State Development’s Marine Mammals Impact Report) report lacks the referencing of peer-reviewed, readily available scientific papers that deal with impacts of human activity on cetaceans and dugongs. This shortcoming means we have very little confidence in the scientific integrity of the report and this is evidenced by the unfounded conclusions reached within”, said the scientists.

Key strikes Canning deal with Empire - The West Australian

Key strikes Canning deal with Empire - The West Australian

Key chairman Dennis Wilkins said the Canning Basin move would "breathe fresh life into the company and provide immediate focus and activity in one of Australia's emerging hydrocarbon provinces".

Heritage Listing for Dinosaur Footprints

WOODSIDE OVER A BARREL AT JAMES PRICE POINT

Broome No Gas Community Group

Friday, 26 August 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

At 2:00am this morning, a community roadblock stopped the progress of a large convoy of Woodside’s vehicles, including land-clearing and drilling machinery as they tried to return to James Price Point, site of Woodside’s proposed gas hub in the Kimberley.

For over six hours, about 60 Broome community members have halted any progress of this convoy of over 25 vehicles and trucks on the Manari Road, about 40km north of Broome.

“Why are they coming in here at 2am in the morning if they’ve got all their permissions in place?” Goolarabooloo Law Boss Joseph Roe asked Woodside at the site of this morning’s protest.

After a number of traffic infringements were issued and one arrest occurred for protestors standing on the road, four people have locked themselves to machinery, and to a roadblock, in an effort to further delay the return of Woodside onto the proposed gas hub site.

Marion Lester of Broome is currently ‘locked on’ to machinery loaded on a flatbed truck at Manari Road. When asked why she’d taken this action, Marion said,” I’ve lived in the Kimberley for 21 years, in Broome for 7. There are other options for processing this gas than building an enormous new industrial site on an unspoiled stretch of the Kimberley coastline. Woodside should pipe it to the Pilbara, or look to processing the gas on a floating platform offshore.”

“Along with the majority of our community, I’m determined that Woodside’s plans for James Price Point will not go ahead,” Marion continued.

Further down the road, Lauren Ausborne is locked to a concreted 44 gallon drum in the middle of the road with Naomi Hodgson. Still holding up the convoy six hours later, Lauren said, “I feel very strongly that Woodside must be stopped from destroying the living culture and unspoiled wilderness of this place.”

To date, one arrest has occurred this morning – Sue Clarke was arrested at about 3am for standing on Manari Road. Ms Clarke, of Broome, is currently being held in custody and is refusing bail.

Further arrests are expected throughout the day. To date, 26 people have been arrested in protest actions since Woodside have started their landclearing works near James Price Point.

To arrange further comment from protest site, call Nik Wevers: 0417 998 598
High res pictures & HD vision (unedited) available upon request. One image attached

Woodside held over a barrel at James Price Point

Ten traffic infringements issued at Manari Road Blockade this morning.

One arrested, Mrs Sue Clarke is currently refusing the bail conditions.

4 People are currently locked on preventing Woodside from get back on CountryOne woman is locked on the heavy machinery; one man is locked on to another vehicle at the Broome Community NO GAS Blockade.

Police are now issuing traffic infringements to people supporting the two women who are concreted into a 44 gallon drum at Quondong. ABC Regional Radio about to interview Marian Lester, live to air , who is currently locked on.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=240004039370329&set=pu.146254135411987&type=1

Two people are still locked on at Manari Road and two others (women) are locked into a concreted 44 gallon drum, just pass Quondon turn off. About 50 vehicles in Woodside's convoy now held up - on narrow section of road at Quondong. For up -to-date information and photos refer to Save the Kimberley Facebook.

Ten traffic infringements issued at Manari Road Blockade this morning. One arrested, Mrs Sue Clarke. One woman is locked on the heavy machinery; one man is locked on to another vehicle. Police are now issuing traffic infringements to people supporting the two women who are concreted into a 44 gallon drum at Quondong. ABC Regional Radio about to interview Marian Lester, live to air , who is currently locked on.

Following are photos of the two women locked on Manari Road, 50 Woodside vechiles are not going anywhere for a long time

http://www.facebook.com/aboriginal.songlines/posts/238485182862119?ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/photo.php?fbid=240029369367796&set=a.147872175250183.23133.146254135411987&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/aboriginal.songlines/posts/238485182862119?ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/photo.php?fbid=240025696034830&set=a.147872175250183.23133.146254135411987&type=1&theater

Save The Kimberley

Save The Kimberley

Clink on the above link to access photos taken at the Manari Road Blockade this afternoon whilst under threat. Currently the fire situation is under control at the corner. Many local supporters arrived to offer assistance during the fire scare.

Companies fracking WA gas sites, for processing at James Price Point

Dane Griffen, a resident fracking and 'unconventional gas' researcher has compiled this important list of references linking the James Price Point gas hub with the serious threat of fracking for onshore shale gas in the Kimberley's Canning Basin.

These references are important as Premier Barnett is going out of his way to make the JPP gas hub a 'small target', denying that it is part of any 'thin edge of the wedge' for industrialising the Kimberley.

What the references below illustrate is that, whatever Mr Barnett thinks, or wants the public to think, major industry players see the advent of a LNG hub at JPP as a great opportunity to allow the commercialisation of other gas deposits in the Kimberley which would be accessed using the highly controversial and dangerous 'fracking' process.

Reference 1

Overview of Shale Gas Resources in Western Australia
The economic success of shale gas in the United States (US) and the high conventional gas prices in Australia have driven the interest in unconventional gas resources, particularly shale gas resources in Western Australia (WA). The Canning Basin has gathered a lot of interest in recent times and companies such as Buru Energy and New Standard Energy (NSE) are currently involved in an extensive exploration program focussed on this region’s unconventional gas resource. The basin is one of WA’s last frontier onshore provinces and it has the potential for major shale gas reserves that could be linked with the planned LNG hub at James Price Point north of Broome. Buru Energy has identified significant potential for unconventional resources in its Canning exploration permits and is currently undertaking a structured evaluation program of the area. In the wake of Buru Energy’s exploration in the Canning Basin, NSE secured exploration acreage in nearby permits in the basin. The existing granted permits within the NSE portfolio form an integral part of the Goldwyer shale exploration area (Buru Energy, 2010; NSE, 2010a; NSE, 2010b).

Source: "Petroleum in WA: WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S DIGEST OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION"; Department of Mines and Petroleum, April 2011

Reference 2
Oil Basins Limited
http://oilbasins.com.au/OBL%20ASX%20Announcement%20-%20Appointment%20of%20OBL%20as%20USG%20Operator%20-%2021%20July%202011.pdf
Exploration Permit 5/07-8 EP is a very large and hydrocarbon prospective address encompassing some 5,062 km2 (refer to Figures 1 and 2 attached) and is most favourably situated to both the future James Price Point LNG Terminal, the proposed Point Torment industrial area and the existing infrastructure (roads, airports and harbours) and community and light industry facilities associated with the vibrant Kimberley regional townships of Derby and Broome.

http://oilbasins.com.au/OBL%20-%20March%202011%20Quarterly%20Activities%20Report.pdf
DISCLAIMER – CSG PROSPECTIVITY AND CSG RESOURCES POTENTIAL
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of prospective and economic coal seam gas (CSG) resources, including many factors beyond OBL‟s control. Estimates of economically recoverable CSG natural gas reserves are based upon a number of factors and assumptions, such as geological and engineering estimates and judgments (which have inherent uncertainties and risks), the assumed effects of governmental regulation and access to the Browse LNG Hub and estimates of future domestic gas and export-LNG commodity prices and operating costs, all of which may vary considerably from actual results and/or future negotiations.

BURU -
http://buruenergy.com.au/getfile/370.pdf
Highlights
• The four key unconventional plays identified have combined mid range unrisked gross in-place volumes of 362 trillion cubic feet (“TCF”) of gas and 50 billion barrels of oil (“BBO”). (NOTE: the whole of Browse is said to be ~35 TCF - TWS)

New Standard Energy -
http://www.newstandard.com.au/images/stories/Quarterly%20Activities%20Report%20April-June%202011.pdf

New Standard has pretty vague reporting. Not much in this apart from JPP referenced in all map images

NOTE: if this link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser.

Man made fires are growing at James Price Point

What is really happening at James Price Point? No equipment, No work!

After hearing from the head pilot from the Broome Community No Gas Campaign’s air force, it has become quite clear that Woodside’s exist from Country on Monday was not due to the fire risk. The fire is no where in sight and the weather is perfect.

Given the fact that Country has suffered a whole lattice of clearing by Woodside and that these grid-lines can very effectively act also as fire breaks it seems very unlikely that Woodside and all its heavy earth moving equipment was taken out of Country for that reason.

According to Woodside Update:



NOTE: A number of our onshore activities have been put on hold due to a bushfire currently burning in the vicinity of James Price Point. The safety of our people and contractors is paramount and we will only return to work as soon as it is safe to do so.

The question needs to be asked, why take out the water trucks and leave a fuel container, if you are really worried about fire?

Mr Coleman, from Woodside said today that the “geotechnical survey work had been delayed by weather and other factors” – what are the other (true) factors? Maybe this really is a question for their shareholders and the stock market.



Considering, how hard and how aggressive Woodside has pushed to get into Country its exceedingly surprising that their lay down compound area currently looks like Woodside have virtually packed up, turned around and moved out of Country.

Even the support vessels that were accompanying the jack-up rig (that still sits, on a strange angle, right out the front of Walmandan) are no where in sight today. Two hostiles (Environmental Services) people were placed at James Price Point, two others were lurking around the illegal gate to the compound and two others seeking shade in the compound.

What are the real reasons for Woodside’s hasty retreat on Monday and how is this living up to Coleman’s claims today: we are “catching up very quickly to our FID process.” How are they achieving this when they are not in Country and are no longer working?

A current rumor that is floating around is that the Department of Main Roads has put all stops to the development for the 19 kilometer, 120 million dollar road to the proposed LNG precinct. Is this true? Maybe questions need to be asked by shareholders and stakeholders.

Whatever the real reasons, Woodside can rest assured that they will not be able to bring all this equipment back into Country without the Broome Community once again blockading their machinery and workforce, challenging their criminal behaviors and questioning the WA government’s total lack of governance over them.

Bilbies won't delay Browse LNG: Woodside

"We don't expect there to be any undue delay in pursuing ... those approval processes," Mr Coleman told a teleconference on Wednesday.

"Good science and appropriate science, and consultation with community and others, drives our decision processes.

"We are sensitive to it. We're going to take our time to do it right."

Woodside and joint venture partners plan to reach a final investment decision (FID) on Browse by mid-2012.

Mr Coleman said geotechnical survey work had been delayed by weather and other factors - no doubt referring to recent protests and blockades that prevented contractors from reaching the site for several days.

"But we're catching up very quickly and it's essential to our FID process," he said.Bilbies won't delay Browse LNG: Woodside

The following was released by the rating agency

MELBOURNE (Standard & Poor's) Aug. 17, 2011--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that its ratings and outlook on Australia-based Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (BBB+/Negative/A-2) were not immediately affected by the company's record cash flows for the six months to June 30, 2011. Although Woodside's bumper first-half cash flows and retention of the fully underwritten dividend reinvestment plan have helped mitigate downward credit pressure, we retain the negative rating outlook. Reported cash flows for the six months to June 30, 2011 of US$1,391 million, compared with US$1,007 million in the first half of 2010, largely reflected high global oil prices. The negative outlook, assigned in June 2011, reflects our view of the commissioning risks associated with the Pluto foundation project. Further cost overruns and project delays had reduced the buffer in the rating in light of inherent volatility in oil prices and exchange rate. Furthermore, the project delay means that the time gap between completing Pluto and Woodside's next investment project is likely to be shorter, reducing the time to establish a sustained improvement in the company's cash-flow-protection metrics.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 563 QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE (Of which some notice has been given) Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Hon Robin Chapple to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
With regard to Woodside's ground breaking work at James Price Point and the risk of
damage to registered Aboriginal sites, I ask:
(1)Has the Department of Indigenous Affairs completed their investigation into this
matter?
(2)If no to (1), when will the investigation be completed?
(3)Has the Department prepared a report of the investigation?
(4)If yes to (3) will the Minister table the report?
(5)Is the report to be considered by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee?
(6)When will (or did) the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee meet to consider
this report?

I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question.
(1) No
(2) The investigation is ongoing.
(3) The report is in preparation but not complete.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) No. The site disturbance investigation report, pr~pared under t~e provisions of section
17 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, is not requued to be consIdered by the ACMe.
(6) Not applicable.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs

James Price Point opponents labelled 'privileged' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

See this for what it is, a desperate attempt to down play the total opposition the Broome community has demonstrated against the proposed LNG refineries being located at James Price Point. It is interesting that this Minister was addressing a oil & gas industries forum, the HAVES, and the only NOT in the equation is: ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. On the lighter side its great that he is getting the message, has been drawn out of his hole and has finally spoke about and identified that "We have a problem Houston".

James Price Point opponents labelled 'privileged' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Dugong deaths 'ecological disaster'

"The dredging and blasting of seabed and reefs at JPP would lead to a 50km² ‘marine deadzone’ (2,400 times Subiaco oval) according to government reports"
"Dugongs travel up and down the Peninsula and are likely to feed on all the patches of seagrass that lie off the coast. We don’t know how taking out a massive area in the middle would affect them but the article below gives us some clues."
Martin Pichard, Environs Kimberley


Dugong deaths 'ecological disaster'