Western Australia launches probe into massive methane plumes from Chevron's Gorgon project

After months of satellite observations revealing extensive methane clouds above Chevron's Gorgon LNG plant on Barrow Island, Western Australia’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation confirmed it is now actively investigating the emissions. Five consecutive satellite passes since November have captured the plumes, with the latest indicating a release of 7.8 tonnes of methane per hour near the acid gas removal units, making Gorgon the state's top methane emitter.

The department said it is coordinating with Chevron to determine the cause but will not speculate while the probe is ongoing. The United Nations issued warnings in July and August, but Chevron has not formally responded to those alerts. State Greens MLC Sophie McNeill criticised the lack of prior monitoring, and federal officials noted that oversight of such emissions falls to the state regulator. The investigation occurs as Australia pursues its 2030 emissions-reduction target and net-zero goal for 2050.