Buru Energy owns the greatest number of petroleum leases that can be fracked in the Kimberley. It has fracked three wells in the Kimberley so far – Yulleroo in 2010 and Valhalla and Asgard in 2015 in a joint venture with Mitsubishi. All three of these wells have had problems, including gas leaks and radioactive wastewater coming to the surface.
The company privately says that it doesn’t want to do fracking at present, but its statements to the Australian Stock Exchange make clear that it has the opportunity to do so.
Buru Energy’s current plans
Buru Energy’s plans appear to be constantly changing but, as of July 2025, it says it wants to pursue ‘conventional’ oil and gas. ‘Conventional’ oil and gas does not require fracking.
The company is proposing to develop a major fossil-fuel industrial complex 150 km east of Broome. In addition to restarting its ‘Ungani’ oil production and export facility, Buru Energy is proposing to develop its ‘Rafael’ conventional gas field, which would include LNG and condensate production. According to the company (see graphic) the proposal also requires new pipelines, roads and a facility for carbon capture and storage.
Image: Renewable energy installation in Broome By: Paul Bell
From Fossil Fuels to Renewables
There has been no independent environmental impact assessment of Buru Energy’s plans to develop a large-scale fossil fuel production facility in the Kimberley.
The existing Ungani oil field has produced millions of litres of contaminated wastewater, which has been pumped back down ‘reinjection wells’, potentially resulting in aquifer contamination. No assessment of Ungani’s possible long term pollution impacts on aquifers has been undertaken and there is no ongoing independent monitoring by DWER or DMPE (DEMIRS).
The Rafael gas project has the potential to become a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. There has been no EPA assessment of this project. Buru Energy wants to fund its fossil fuel projects by exporting condensate via Broome or Derby and by selling LNG to Horizon Power to power Broome and Derby. Horizon Power is scoping out 80% renewable energy for Broome, which would negate the need for Buru Energy gas.
The Kimberley is a globally significant natural and cultural environment. It is the wrong place to develop new polluting fossil fuel projects such as the oil and gas projects planned by Buru Energy. Renewable energy is the only economically and environmentally sustainable future for the Kimberley and Buru Energy must not be allowed to block or slow the transition to renewables by pushing gas onto communities.
What we are calling for
Minister for the Environment Matthew Swinbourn must call on the EPA to assess the proposal.