The Government’s case related to the Varanus Island pipeline explosion and the company was charged with “˜failing to maintain a pipeline in good condition and repair’.
WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said that the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s decision to discontinue the prosecution was made in response to new information and evidence provided by Apache Northwest and its co-licensees during the pre-trial proceedings.
“After extensive consideration and advice from WA’s State Solicitor’s Office as well as the Independent Bar, it was decided that there was no reasonable prospect of success for the State to prove two essential elements of the prosecution,” Mr Moore said.
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