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Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today announced the State Government had started proceedings to prosecute Apache Northwest and its co-licensees in relation to the Varanus Island incident.

Mr Moore said the charge filed in the Magistrates Court yesterday alleged that Apache NW and the co-licensees did not maintain the pipeline in good condition and repair as required by s.38(b) of the Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969.

It is alleged that the 12-inch sales gas pipeline was corroded in the area of the  pipeline rupture which occurred at the pipeline beach crossing on Varanus Island on June 3 last year.

The Minister said the charge followed further investigations by the Department of Mines and Petroleum after the release of the initial investigation report by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) in October last year.