Energy

A $160 million project to build a utility scale solar farm near Cunderdin has received Development Assessment Panel approval and could be producing at 100 megawatts in time for Christmas next year.

Certainty around the state’s domestic gas supply received a boost today, with the Chevron-led Gorgon project delivering first domgas to Synergy and AWE taking the next step towards the development of stage two at the Waitsia gas field.

Energy giant Chevron has committed $US2 billion ($A2.7 billion) next year towards completing its Gorgon and Wheatstone projects in Western Australia.

Four Western Australian projects will be included in a planned spin-off from energy player Santos in a bid to increase cash flow and cut debt, including facilities at Thevenard and Barrow islands.

The state’s domestic gas market is expected to have excess supply of 640 terajoules per day by 2021, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator, although a delay in commencement of production at the Wheatstone or Gorgon domestic gas facilities could lead to a tightening of the supply as early as next year.

Shares in oil and gas explorer Transerv Energy tumbled today as managing director Stephen Keenihan announced his resignation in the wake of news yesterday that the company’s proposal to acquire assets owned by Origin Energy had been terminated.

Gas and power retailer Origin Energy has outlined a scaled-back version of its long-anticipated plan to split the company's major businesses.

Oil and gas play Tap Oil has confirmed James Menzies as its new chairman, after he joined the board in May as a director and was earmarked as Doug Bailey’s successor.

Shares in DUET Group have jumped 16 per cent after the energy utility operator confirmed it has received an indicative and conditional takeover offer from Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure.

Perth-based oil and gas explorer TTE Petroleum has recruited former Liquefied Natural Gas boss Maurice Brand as part of a board restructure that includes the resignation of current chair Darren Levy and the movement of chief executive Paul Garner to a non-executive role.

Perth-based Tap Oil has settled its outstanding disputes with its second-largest shareholder, days before the matters were to hit the courts in Singapore.

A $10 million renewable energy-powered microgrid, which has the potential to become Australia’s largest, has been given the green light for development in Kalbarri.

ANALYSIS: Vienna is a long way from Perth, but what might happen there on November 30 could have a profound effect on the Western Australian economy.

Perth-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering says its joint venture with Kentech has grown its order book at the Chevron-operated Wheatstone LNG project near Onslow to $60 million.

Professional services firm Deloitte has snared its second senior recruit from Accenture's Perth office, hiring Bernadette Cullinane as its national oil and gas practice leader.

AGL Energy is set to take on Alinta Energy and Wesfarmers' subsidiary Kleenheat in Western Australia’s retail gas market, with the company targeting 100,000 customers within two years.

SPECIAL REPORT: Electric vehicles and other technology applications have driven investor interest in graphite and lithium, and cobalt might be next.

Former Howard and Abbott government minister Ian Macfarlane has been appointed non-executive director of Woodside. 

Australia's liquefied natural gas exports have risen 6.6 per cent in October to 4.3 million tonnes, according to estimates by consultancy EnergyQuest.

Singapore-based Mitra Energy has completed the $US10 million ($A13.3 million) purchase of the Stag oil field off the Pilbara coast, but is still awaiting regulatory approval to take over as operator.  

Chinese private equity company Hony Capital has paid $159 million to increase its stake in Santos, eight months after selling a major shareholding in the Australian oil and gas player to another Chinese firm.

Engineering and construction contractor Decmil Group has won a $17 million extension to its contract with QGC for work at the Queensland Curtis LNG project in Gladstone.

Oil and gas explorer Xstate Resources has entered into an agreement to acquire a 24.5 per cent stake in a producing onshore oil field in California for $US13 million ($A17 million).

Mining entrepreneur Andrew Forrest has made a move into onshore oil and gas, with Squadron Resources, a subsidiary of his Minderoo Group, to explore and develop the Canning Basin in an 80:20 venture with privately owned Goshawk Energy.

North Fremantle-based Carnegie Wave Energy plans to change its name to Carnegie Clean Energy after its $13 million acquisition of solar and battery microgrid developer Energy Made Clean.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum says it has completed its $US440 million purchase of ConocoPhillips’ stake in an oilfield off the coast of Senegal, despite leaving a contractual dispute with one of the project’s partners unresolved.

Mike Nahan says recycling of capital invested in Western Power will be key to job creation and economic growth in Western Australia’s transitioning economy. 

Carnegie Wave Energy has wholly acquired solar power and lithium battery storage provider Energy Made Clean by purchasing the 65 per cent stake it didn’t already own.

Alaskan-focused oil and gas explorer 88 Energy has attracted two US-based investors for an $11 million capital raising to bolster its balance sheet.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering shares lost nearly a quarter of their value today after the company warned of a $2 million loss for the six months to December.

Energy giant Santos has agreed to sell its Victorian gas assets to Cooper Energy for up to $82 million.

Iron ore producers have maintained their dominance over the BNiQ Search Engine Biggest Exporters list, as LNG producers are slow to start up. Click through to see the annual list of the state's biggest exporting companies.