Vermilion's Wandoo gas field halted by regulator after December oil spill

Vermilion's Wandoo gas exports halted after December oil spillBy Kimberley PutlandBy Alistair BatesABC PilbaraTopic:Oil and Gas5m ago5 minutes agoMon 16 Feb 2026 at 12:01amAuthorities have brought exports to a grinding halt at Vermilion's Wandoo field after an oil spill on December 11. (Supplied: Vermilion Energy)In short:The offshore oil and gas regulator has shut down exports from Vermilion Oil and Gas Australia's Wandoo gas field following an oil spill in December.The regulator says it has identified "systemic failures" in Vermilion's environmental management systems.What's next?Vermilion must cease petroleum export at Wandoo until the regulator is satisfied that the environmental risks have been reduced.abc.net.au/news/vermilion-wandoo-oil-spill-nopsema-exports-closed/106343518Link copiedShareShare articleThe federal regulator has halted exports from a foreign-owned gas field after an oil spill off Western Australia's north coast in December.The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) said it had found "systemic failures" by Vermilion Oil and Gas Australia at its Wandoo facility, about 80 kilometres north-east of Karratha.The "recurring themes" of earlier inspections then culminated in an unplanned leak of petroleum.A spokesperson for Vermilion confirmed the December 11 incident in a statement."The leak contained a limited amount of oil and seawater, as a pressure test and flush had just been completed," the spokesperson said."The equipment was depressurised to reduce the amount of oil and water released from the escape point, and a plug was successfully inserted."'Repeated non-compliance'Vermilion, which has owned the Wandoo field since 2005, said methods of containment or dispersal were not needed.The Canadian-owned producer engaged the Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre and self-reported to NOPSEMA, estimating about four cubic metres of oil and water were spilled.No impact on wildlife has been revealed thus far.The Canadian-owned gas producer says the leak was "limited". (Supplied: Vermilion Energy)NOPSEMA said the incident, combined with a failed environmental inspection in October 2025, showed "repeated non-compliance" and "inadequate implementation of inspection, maintenance, and assurance processes".The regulator has issued a general direction to Vermilion to cease all gas export from the Wandoo system until it is satisfied appropriate interim controls have been put in place.It has also required a third-party review, corrective actions and a transition to a fully replaced oil export system by the end of 2027.Welcomed enforcementConservation Council WA executive director Matthew Roberts welcomed the move by NOPSEMA."This is the whole reason we need a regulator having proper oversight and being funded to do their job," he said."It's very alarming, but not surprising."Matthew Roberts is calling for a stronger regulator. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)Mr Roberts said there was little incentive for oil and gas companies to repair their aging offshore infrastructure, of which about 85 per cent sits in WA waters."You hear it's only four cubic metres … that is actually a demonstration that they do not understand how serious this spill is and what the consequences could be to our marine life."The NOPSEMA investigation of Vermilion's Wandoo facilities is ongoing. (Supplied: Vermilion Energy)In January 2025, WA's Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) ordered gas giant Santos to pay almost $20,000 following a 25,000-litre oil spill off WA's Pilbara.At the Commonwealth level, NOPSEMA continues to examine a 16,000-litre release of hydrocarbons by Woodside during decommissioning activities at its Griffin field in May.The regulator said the environmental fallout of the Vermilion spill was expected to be minimal, but investigations were still ongoing.Posted 5m ago5 minutes agoMon 16 Feb 2026 at 12:01amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop StoriesRadical immigration policy banning countries being considered by LiberalsTopic:Liberal Party of Australia