Home / Environment / EPA Flags Oil Spill Risk to Pygmy Blue Whales
EPA Flags Oil Spill Risk to Pygmy Blue Whales
26 Oct
Summary
- Proposed gasfield risks severe damage to unique coral reefs.
- Oil spill could cause irreversible harm to endangered turtles.
- Pygmy blue whales face significant impact from project noise.
Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has raised significant concerns regarding Woodside Energy's proposed Browse gasfield development. In a draft letter from December 2023, EPA staff advised the board that the project poses a serious threat to the environment, including "exceptional" coral reefs and pygmy blue whales. The watchdog indicated that it might be impossible to reduce the risk of an oil spill to an acceptable level.
Concerns extend to endangered turtles, with potential irreversible harm to critical breeding grounds like Sandy Islet if the seabed subsides. The EPA also noted that noise, traffic, and vessel strikes could significantly impact pygmy blue whales feeding at Scott Reef. Woodside has proposed additional safety measures, such as shear rams and capping stacks, and adjusted well drilling locations to mitigate these risks.
