Australia approves Barrow Island for Gorgon foundation gas development

ChevronTexaco said Sept. 8 that the Western Australia state government has approved, in-principle, restricted use of Barrow Island for a foundation development for the Gorgon gas project.

The Gorgon joint venture participants, ChevronTexaco (4/7th interest), Shell (2/7th interest) and ExxonMobil (1/7th interest), have proposed a liquefied natural gas facility on Barrow Island, which lies directly between the Gorgon gas fields and the Australian mainland. Chevron said the island is both an internationally recognized nature reserve and the location of Australia's largest onshore operating oil field.

"Today's decision moves our company another step forward in building a global, integrated gas business that targets attractive markets and commercializes our large gas resource base," George Kirkland, president of ChevronTexaco Overseas Petroleum, said in a statement.

Chevron said the Gorgon partners will now focus on preparing detailed environmental plans "that will allow the project to manage the proposed development on Barrow Island while continuing to care for, and fund, the protection of the island's environment."