In October, gas produced 39 per cent of the power used in the south-west grid, compared to 28 cent a year ago before Collie’s to coal mines struck problems supplying sufficient coal to the town’s three power stations.

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Energy Minister Bill Johnston said the state and federal governments were working together to understand the implications of the leak.

“At this time it is not expected to have an impact on power supply to the South West Interconnected System or gas supply to homes and businesses,” he said.

The leak is the fourth known safety incident in Santos’ operations in the waters around Varanus Island in 18 months.

In July 2021, the lifting of an old Santos oil platform off its support structure went badly wrong when it started swinging uncontrollably, passing over the heads of workers as they scrambled for their lives. The International Marine Contractors Association called it a “serious incident” that “had a high potential for multiple fatalities”.

While a tanker was being loaded in March 2022, 25,000 litres of oil spilled into the ocean and three dead dolphins were found floating belly up nearby. Santos said there had not been enough time for the oil to kill the dolphins, a claim dubbed “brave or foolish” by a dolphin expert.

On November 17, NOPSEMA ordered a drilling rig contracted by Santos to cease operations until a poorly maintained safety device called a blow-out preventer was fixed.

The device stops the uncontrolled release of oil or gas during drilling that could endanger workers and cause an oil spill. It has since been fixed and drilling has restarted.

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