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Public Information Booklet
The loading system for condensate is designed to minimise spills by having break away
sections in the loading hose which are designed to shut in the condensate if there are
problems with the hose.
Although the possibility of spills is low, emergency spill response facilities will be provided
by the Precinct proponents and an Oil Spill Contingency Plan will be in place to ensure
that should an incident occur the spill will be managed so to minimise impacts to the
environment.
This initial oil spill response will be supported by a hierarchy of response systems and
equipment. In particular the oil and gas industry jointly funds the Australian Marine Oil
Spill Centre (AMOSC) which has a major stockpile of equipment based in Geelong
(Victoria) and in Exmouth (WA). In addition there is the ability to access other spill
response equipment in Singapore.
This equipment is readily air transportable to provide a quick response time. Australiaís oil
spill response is managed at the national level by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
under the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and
Hazardous Substances (National Plan).
Regular exercises will be undertaken by Woodside (and potentially other Precinct
proponents) to ensure emergency response equipment and processes are tested.
Water Supply
Question ñ What amount of water will be used and where is it coming from?
The foundational development is anticipated to use in the order of 2-4 gigalitres annually
of fresh water where a steam system is utilised as part of the selected LNG technology.
This would equate to 8-16 gigalitres annually for the whole precinct if a similar LNG
technology was used by the other proponent/s.
The freshwater is likely to come from either desalination of water from the Wallal aquifer
or desalination of sea water. Desalination works by filtering sea water or brackish water
(like that from the Wallal aquifer) through membranes to remove all small particles
including salt. The resulting freshwater can be used for drinking, construction etc and the
salty brine is discharged back into the sea.
The Wallal aquifer is located approximately 200 metres (218 yards) below the ground and
is slightly salty (around 2,500-3,500 parts per million salinity/salty water). This aquifer is
separate to the shallower Broome aquifer that is suitable for general drinking without
treatment.
During construction it is possible that a temporary water supply will be required for
construction prior to completion of the desalination system. It is likely that this will be
from the Broome aquifer.
In respect to the amount of ground water used, this will be in accordance with ground
water licences and be subject to environmental impact assessment as part of the
Strategic Assessment.
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