ORIGIN PAUSES CANNING BASIN GAS PROJECT

Protestors at Entrance Point near Broome port. Photo: Damian Kelly.

GEOFF VIVIAN

In the Kimberley, energy company Origin has hinted that it is pulling out of the Canning Basin, which it had plans to frack for gas.

Origin CEO Frank Calabria did not mention the Canning Basin by name, but said the company had decided to “exit other upstream exploration permits over time” in a statement about the company’s withdrawal from Queensland’s Beetaloo Basin.

He said this would allow Origin to “grow cleaner energy and customer solutions” and “deliver reliable energy” through the transition.

Origin’s Canning Basin partner Buru Energy, which proved the gas resource in the first place, expressed disappointment.

“While it is very disappointing that Origin’s actions have caused a significant delay in Canning Basin field operations, Origin’s now expressed intentions provide the clarity required for us to move the project forward,” Buru chairman Eric Streitberg said.

Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard. Photo Environs Kimberley.

Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard hailed Origin’s withdrawal from the Kimberley as a major win in the 10-year struggle to keep fracking and conventional gas production out of the region.

“Origin Energy have been feeling a lot of heat, particularly from Traditional Owners in the Northern Territory, the Beetaloo Basin but also in the Kimberley,” he said. “There have been protests here in Broome against Origin Energy as well and we’ve certainly made our views known to the CEO and the board of Origin Energy as well as their largest investor, Australian Super.”