Pilot Energy starts Mid West clean energy project at Cliff Head oil fields

Work has started on the early stages of a clean energy project which would see an oil field south of Geraldton converted into a carbon storage facility.

Pilot Energy Limited last week started activities on its Mid West clean energy project, which plans to transform the Cliff Head oil field into a “launch pad” for delivering affordable renewables.

The project is still in its infancy, with consultants engaged to progress regulatory approvals, obtain land access, and secure project financing and partnering arrangements.

A feasibility study identified the Cliff Head oil field and infrastructure as suitable for a medium-scale project to capture and store carbon dioxide.

The project will provide up to 16 million tonnes of permanent carbon dioxide storage, and will fully utilise the existing onshore and offshore facilities.

Once operational, the storage centre will facilitate the production of blue and green hydrogen and ammonia.

Studies show the project could produces about 61,000 tonnes per annum of clean hydrogen.

Pilot Energy chairman Brad Lingo said the first stage of the project was expected to be operational by 2025.

“We are very much focused on engaging with the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator and the other relevant regulators to secure the necessary approvals to implement this project with an aim of having the first stage the development pathway operational by 2025 and generating positive cash flow from these operations,” he said.