Roger Cook keeping an open mind about WA’s gas reservation policy amid calls to lift onshore export ban
Premier Roger Cook is considering potential changes to the state's gas reservation policy, pending the outcome of a parliamentary inquiry examining its effectiveness.
This inquiry is crucial as the government seeks to balance reducing domestic emissions with contributing to global decarbonization efforts.
The policy currently mandates that 15% of gas from offshore projects be supplied domestically, which has helped maintain lower energy prices locally.
Energy companies have urged the inquiry to lift the export ban on onshore gas, arguing that it would spur investment in the Perth Basin and address expected energy shortfalls.
At the WA Energy Transition Summit, Cook expressed his openness to revising the policy based on the inquiry's findings, which are expected by the end of May 2024.
Industry leaders, including Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison and Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill, have highlighted the challenges and opportunities of the current policy.
Ellison is seeking a temporary exemption from the onshore export ban to develop a major gas plant, while O’Neill emphasized the importance of accessing both domestic and international markets for the viability of large gas fields.
The inquiry's outcomes could lead to significant adjustments in how Western Australia manages its gas resources, further influencing the stability and pricing within the domestic market.