Greenhouse gas plume at massive Aussie gas plant

Key points

• Methane plumes have been detected above Chevron's Gorgon liquefied natural gas plant off Western Australia's Pilbara coast. Satellite images captured a persistent cloud on August 29, and monitor Carbon Mapper says plumes have appeared multiple times over the past year.
• The United Nations flagged the emissions, recording an average rate of about 7.8 tonnes of methane an hour. Chevron says it is communicating with the UN Environmental Programme and that satellite readings capture a single moment with wide uncertainty.
• The WA government's environment department is investigating the reports, while the Conservation Council WA has demanded answers.