The South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage Project (SWH), managed by the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum (WA DMP), is evaluating the potential for a commercial-scale carbon storage site near major emissions sites in southwest WA. The area under investigation is in the southern Perth Basin, focusing on a 150 km2 area in the shires of Harvey and Waroona. WA DMP is conducting a major feasibility study and collecting pre-competitive data in partnership with the local community. The activities are done in a stage-gate model to obtain relevant information on the potential storage capacity, containment security and injectivity of the geology.
Following a smaller 2D seismic survey and the drilling of the Harvey–1 stratigraphic well, a more complex 3D seismic survey was undertaken in February to March, 2014. These activities have confirmed the potential for commercial-scale CO2 storage. A new work package has been initiated with the drilling of three wells (Harvey–2, –3 and –4) underway and plans to drill a fifth well in the next 12 months. The stage-gate approach has been cost-effective, resulting in a carefully planned data acquisition and research program. The approach allows new results, information and potential future activities to be rolled out to stakeholders and the community in the area.