The United Nations Environment Program has warned Chevron after satellites detected high methane levels on five flyovers between November and August. The readings are linked to Chevron's Gorgon gas plant on Barrow Island, off the Pilbara coast. The latest release was equal to burning 110 tonnes of coal, and the plant was emitting methane at 7.8 tonnes per hour in August. Chevron says satellite readings carry a wide range of uncertainty and that it is seeking further clarification. The company says it reports its emissions in line with Australian rules.
Satellite monitoring has detected large methane plumes above Chevron's Gorgon liquefied natural gas plant on Barrow Island, Western Australia. The most recent reading, in late August, estimated an average emission rate of about 7.8 tonnes of methane an hour. The United Nations has warned Chevron, which confirmed it had received the alert and is working with the UN Environmental Programme. The UN Environmental Programme said it had not yet received formal feedback from Chevron or the Australian government. The Western Australian government said its Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is investigating the reports.
Elon Musk says Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a possible merger, with special committees at both companies examining the idea. Musk said he is not involved in the talks because of potential conflicts of interest. He added that any deal would need approval from at least 50 per cent of Tesla shareholders. SpaceX posted net income of $US4.4 billion last quarter, compared with a loss of around $US1 billion a year earlier, driven by its Starlink satellite internet service and AI data centres. Revenue rose to $US14.58 billion, above analysts' forecasts.
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Telecommunications companies will for the first time be required to provide a baseline level of mobile coverage across Australia under a new law. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation would cover Australians nearly anywhere outdoors. Telcos may use land-based towers or satellites, but only Starlink currently offers the direct-to-device technology needed. Industry and consumer groups have welcomed the bill, though they raise concerns about technology readiness, funding and consumer costs. The default start date is December 31, 2027, with the minister able to delay it until 2030.
Parliament has passed laws requiring Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide basic SMS and voice mobile coverage almost everywhere Australians can see the sky. The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation is aimed at regional and remote communities. Coverage will rely on existing land-based towers and new low Earth orbit satellite technology. The obligation will start on 1 December 2027, subject to market developments. The laws also allow the Minister for Communications to set performance and reliability standards for carriers.
SpaceX says that once it deploys all its spectrum and launches next-generation satellites, it will offer US customers reliable service indoors, outdoors and in cellular dead zones. The company told Canadian authorities it expects to begin service by late 2027. Grain originally obtained the spectrum from T-Mobile in a swap that included cash. The AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon carriers have formed a joint venture pooling spectrum to use satellites for coverage in dead zones, and the FCC has proposed further spectrum changes for satellite-to-mobile service.
Amazon has built its 1,000th satellite for its Leo broadband internet project, aiming to launch commercial service by the end of the year. The company is preparing to compete with SpaceX's Starlink, with plans to offer higher performance and security. Amazon's satellites will be launched on Vulcan rockets, with the first mission expected in the coming weeks. The company has already signed contracts with businesses, including Delta Airlines, and plans to expand its service to consumers.
