WA Seeks Tighter Control on Unconventional Gas Extraction

The State Government of Western Australia is seeking to tighten environmental controls around the extraction of unconventional gas.

The Minister for Mines and Petroleum has said that the State will move to tighten environmental controls around the process of fracking to extract underground gas reserves.

Western Australia has the fifth largest underground reserves of shale gas and tight gas in the world.

Norman Moore told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that an expert study concluded the state's regulations around rock fracturing are in good shape.

But he says the government will legislate to make companies publish environmental management reports, which is something they are not required to do now.

"In the meantime we are saying to companies if you want to engage in this activity we would suggest to you that you make public voluntarily the information and what chemicals or what other materials you might be using," he said.