How we plan and develop our projects
Our company considers the life-cycle of a project from the initial planning phase through to development and decommissioning to ensure environmental, health and safety, community and business factors are addressed and that each of our projects is undertaken safely and responsibly.
Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) understands the high value placed on the environment of the Mid West by landowners, community members and other stakeholders. We are committed to protecting these values, and undertake rigorous risk assessments as part of project planning and in preparation for seeking project approvals.
Our company prepares approvals documentation in accordance with legislated approvals processes administered by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, the Environmental Protection Authority and other government agencies.
Before MEPAU begins a proposal to develop a project we complete the following:
- A comprehensive risk assessment
- Engage with our stakeholders
- Maintain communication and transparency
Project planning
A comprehensive risk assessment is undertaken to identify all of the potential impacts a project may have on an area, then we proceed to understand how these can be effectively managed by implementing protection measures. If science tells us that a risk can’t be managed then the outcome is simple, that particular project is no longer an option.
Potential key issues and impacts which are identified during the project planning phase:
| Surface water | Study catchment. Design project to manage erosion and runoff. Ongoing monitoring. |
| Groundwater | Study aquifers, monitor and manage. |
| Chemicals | Stored on-site safely according to regulations. Make disclosure information about down-hole chemicals and substances publicly available. |
| Conservation | Conservation values investigated and considered throughout project planning. Dieback/weed hygiene highest priorities. |
| Aboriginal heritage | Surveys conducted during project planning. Traditional Owners involved in monitoring ground works to ensure conservation of any heritage values. |
| Traffic | Managed so minimal increases during peak work periods. |
| Air quality | Potential emission sources identified and equipment maintained to reduce any emissions. |
| Noise | Generally minimal due to rural area and generally isolated sites. |
| Fire | Firefighting equipment on site with staff trained in firefighting techniques. All equipment hazard zone rated for drilling operations. Gas detection on site. |
| Rehabilitation | Sites rehabilitated to landowners’ requirements or agreed post-activity land use. |
Engage with our stakeholders
Our stakeholders may be members of the community such as landowners, traditional owners on whose land we operate or shire residents. They also include relevant regulators and decision makers.
Maintain communication and transparency
Beyond initial discussions, we continue to maintain open communication with stakeholders about our activities as they develop.
More recently, to increase the level of engagement between MEPAU and residents of the Shire of Irwin even further, we have been sponsoring an independently facilitated Community Roundtable with in-kind support from the Shire. Participants in the roundtable workshops include local residents, local business owners, local landowners, regulators, shire councillors and staff as well as MEPAU personnel.
This Group operates independently of our company, although MEPAU does provide information specifically requested by the Group and, like a number of other stakeholders, including regulators and subject matter experts, participates in the group by invitation.
Government Regulatory Controls
We work with a multitude of government departments. Find out more about government regulatory controls.
Risk Management
We are serious about managing risk. Find out more about risk management.
What we do
We are actively exploring, appraising, developing and producing oil and gas in a number of locations in the north Perth Basin. Read more about what we do
Exploration/Appraisal
We look for gas, and when we find it we figure out if it’s worth pursuing further. Find out more about our exploration and appraisal process.
Development
Once we’ve confirmed a well is commercially viable we get ready to put it into production. Read more about the development process.
Production
During the production phase we produce gas from the well and sell it. Find out more about the production process.
Decommissioning and Rehabilitation
When the exploration or production activity has finished it’s time to clean up. Read more about how we decommission and rehabilitate a well and its surrounding area.