Gas pipeline audit urged to prevent WA-style crisisPosted 1 hour 24 minutes ago
The Varanus Island explosion is being
investigated by Commonwealth and WA
regulatory bodies. (ABC News: file photo)The Federal Opposition says a national audit of gas pipelines is needed to prevent another incident like the explosion on Varanus Island off Western Australia.The Varanus Island explosion on June 3 has slashed WA's gas supply by one-third.
Many businesses have been without gas and households have been told to limit their use.
Opposition spokesman for trade Ian Macfarlane has called for an immediate audit of all gas pipelines by the National Offshore Petroleum Authority.
Mr Macfarlane says there may be similar set ups where multiple gas pipes close together could experience similar problems.
"There is a major concern that there may be other similar situations in other locations across Australia and these need to be identified rapidly," he said.
The Varanus Island explosion is being investigated by Commonwealth and WA regulatory bodies.
WA Energy Minister Fran Logan says he will release the report when it is completed.
A single pipeline currently carries the state's gas supply from the North West shelf to the state's south.
Mr Macfarlane says that makes the state's gas supply vulnerable to disruption.
"At the very least this event comes as a wake-up call for the construction of a second pipeline from the North West shelf to supply gas to industry especially in the south-western part of Western Australia."
