Fifteen companies in total, operating across the length and breadth of our State's resources sector have nominated for the prestigious awards for Environmental excellence, facilitated by the DoIR.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), ARC Energy Ltd, BP Refinery Kwinana, Inpex Browse Ltd and Woodside Energy Limited are the ‘oily’ entrants in this year's Awards.
The Golden Gecko Awards recognise companies that have made an outstanding contribution to the State by balancing environmental responsibility with the successful development of Western Australia's resources.
"A Golden Gecko Award symbolises company or individual commitment to go far beyond basic compliance with regulations, and provides public and industry recognition for their efforts," said DoIR Director General Jim Limerick.
"By recognising these advances and innovations in environmental practice by the minerals and petroleum industries, the Department seeks to encourage continuous improvement and the development of confidence in the compatibility of mining and environmental management."
Now in its 13th year, the Golden Gecko Awards are the highest environmental accolades achievable in the Western Australian mining and petroleum industries.
The nominations are:
APPEA and CALM collaborated in delivering a solution for simultaneous environmental conservation and industry development, a new approach to marine management in WA and an example of planning for sustainable development with the creation of the Montebello-Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves.
ARC Energy and its partner Origin Energy have reduced the overall environmental impact of the Hovea Oil Field development, located south of Geraldton, through management of the road transport-based Crude Export System.
This system has reduced the risk of spills in oil transfer operations and transport; reduced the risks along the transport route through rural and Perth metropolitan areas; and socially and economically contributed to both the Dongara regional community, the West Australian community and the economy of the nation.
BP Kwinana Refinery implemented a suite of energy conservation projects including large-scale modifications to process units using latest technology, along with initiatives to improve energy awareness among refinery staff. The outcome was a reduction in the refinery's Energy Intensity Index.
Inpex provided logistical support to Conservation and Land Management and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, facilitating the deployment of materials and resources, allowing them to work and research on Browse Island.
Woodside's Goodwyn Alpha (GWA), located 135km north of Karratha, completes the NorthWest's nominee pool. GWA October Shutdown was the longest and most complex offshore shutdown on any Woodside facility, and centred around a high standard of environmental management.
