WA Premier Cook exempted fracking project from export ban, allowing 87% of gas to be shipped overseas

Summary

In 2021, Premier Roger Cook exempted US-owned Black Mountain Energy from WA's ban on exporting onshore gas, allowing 87% of production from its Project Valhalla in the Canning Basin to be exported rather than used locally. This contradicts claims that fracking would benefit local industry, as the vast majority of gas will be shipped overseas. The article argues that Cook's threat to frack the Kimberley if Woodside's Browse project is blocked is hypocritical given this export exemption.