Varanus Island

Varanus Island
	Varanus Island off Western Australia
	Varanus Island Location of the Varanus Island in Western Australia
Geography
Location	Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia
Coordinates	20°39′3″S 115°34′27″E / 20.65083°S 115.57417°E
Archipelago	Lowendal Islands
Area	0.83 km2 (0.32 sq mi)
Length	2.5 km (1.55 mi)
Width	0.6 km (0.37 mi)
Administration
	Australia
State	Western Australia

Varanus Island is the largest of the Lowendal Islands, an archipelago off the north west coast of Western Australia, near Karratha in the Pilbara region. The island is approximately 59 km (37 mi) from the mainland coast. It is located at 20°39′3″S 115°34′27″E / 20.65083°S 115.57417°E / -20.65083; 115.57417.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Facilities

It has facilities for piping oil and gas from various locations within the Harriet and East Spar oilfield, that was developed by the Bond Corporation in 1987,^[4] that is now known as the Varanus Island Processing Hub and owned by Santos Limited.^[5]

Environment

The island is part of the Lowendal Islands Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds.^[6] The presence of oil and gas field operations appear to not have significantly affected local birdlife.^[7]

2008 gas crisis

On 3 June 2008, Apache Energy's primary gas pipeline ruptured, causing an explosion. The plant was shut down, and all personnel on the island were airlifted out.^[8]

References

^ Gazetteer of Australia (1996). Belconnen, ACT: Australian Surveying and Land Information Group.
^ "Veranus Island". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
^ "Port of Varanus Island" (PDF). Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ Kinhill Engineers. (1987)Harriet oilfield development: Varanus Island LPG extraction plant: notice of intent Victoria Park, W.A.: Kinhill Engineers (Bond Corporation Pty. Ltd. (Petroleum Division) )
^ Apache Corporation – Apache Reports Pipeline Rupture and Fire at Varanus Island Processing Hub Offshore Western Australia
^ "IBA: Lowendal Islands". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
^ Wildman Andy. (2002) Nesting with flare.(Three-year study of sea birds on the Lowendal Islands shows little ill-effects from the Harriet and East Spar oil and gas fields on Varanus Island, and has provided useful data for Apache Energy in their management of the area). Wildlife Australia, Autumn 2002, p. 38–41
^ Hodge, Karen (4 June 2008). "Gas plant explosion exposes State's vulnerability". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.