Varanus Island

Infobox Island
name = Varanus Island


image caption =
locator

map_custom = no
location = Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia
coordinates = coord|20|39|3|S|115|34|27|E|display=inline,title|type:isle
archipelago = Lowendal Islands
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country = Australia
country admin divisions title = State
country admin divisions = Western Australia
population =
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Varanus Island is the largest of the Lowendal Islands, an archipelago off the north west coast of Western Australia, near Karratha in the Pilbara region. It is located at coord|20|39|3|S|115|34|27|E|display=inline|type:isle.Gazetteer of Australia (1996). Belconnen, ACT: Australian Surveying and Land Information Group.] Gazetteer of Australia | name = Varanus Island | id = 289980] [ http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/maritime/pdf/WA_varanusisland.pdf map of island ]

Facilities

It has facilities for piping oil and gas from various locations within the Harriet and East Spar oilfield, that was developed by the Bond Corporation in 1987 [ Kinhill Engineers. (1987)"Harriet oilfield development : Varanus Island LPG extration plant : notice of intent" Victoria Park, W.A. : Kinhill Engineers ( Bond Corporation Pty. Ltd. (Petroleum Division) ) ] which is now known as the the Varanus Island Processing Hub and owned by Apache Corporation [ [http://investor.apachecorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=313608 Apache Corporation - Apache Reports Pipeline Rupture and Fire at Varanus Island Processing Hub Offshore Western Australia ] ]

Environment

The presence of oil and gas field operations appear to not have significantly affected local birdlife [ Wildman Andy. (2002) "Nesting with flare".(Three year study of sea birds on the Lowendal Islands shows little ill-effects from the Harriet and East Spar oil and gas fields on Varanus Island, and has provided useful data for Apache Energy in their management of the area). Wildlife Australia, Autumn 2002, p. 38-41 ]

2008 gas crisis

On 3 June 2008, Apache Energy's primary gas pipeline ruptured, causing an explosion. The plant was shut down, and all personnel on the island were airlifted out. [cite news |first=Karen |last=Hodge |title=Gas plant explosion exposes State's vulnerability |url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=76927 |publisher="The West Australian" |date=2008-06-04 |accessdate=2008-06-30] The shutdown reduced Western Australia's gas supply by around a third, triggering an energy crisis. Apache Energy has stated that it will take two to three months until the plant is operating at even half capacity.

ee also

*Barrow Island
*Apache Corporation

References

External Links

Wikinewshasmore
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