The Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (WA) (PLAA2024) was assented to on 14 May 2024 (see our July 2024 report). Amongst other things, it provides a legislative framework for pipeline transport and permanent underground storage of greenhouse gas (GHG) substances in WA. It also enables the exploration and recovery of new regulated substances, natural hydrogen and helium.
The new legislative framework came into effect on 28 May 2026, including principal PLAA2024 supporting regulations, the Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Submerged Lands) (Greenhouse Gas Injection and Storage) Regulations 2026 (WA) and the Petroleum, Geothermal Energy and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Greenhouse Gas Injection and Storage) Regulations 2026 (WA) (Regulations).
The Regulations establish the detailed requirements which determine how carbon capture and storage projects will be assessed and managed. Key implications of the regime include significant upfront technical and assessment requirements and ongoing compliance obligations. To qualify as an ‘eligible GHG storage formation’ a geological formation must be capable of storing at least 100,000 tonnes of GHG, have an effective sealing feature that enables the permanent storage of the relevant substance and must satisfy other prescribed criteria.
The Department will annually invite industry stakeholders to nominate vacant areas to be considered as part of Western Australia’s regular petroleum, geothermal energy, and greenhouse gas storage acreage releases. Nominations have now closed for 2026 and an announcement of acreage releases is expected later in the year.