Shell QGC: Gas company pleads guilty to contravening condition of environmental authority in Dalby Magistrates Court

It’s alleged a global energy giant, responsible for wells across the Western Downs, contravened the condition of an environmental authority.

IN COURT: Shell QGC appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on July 6 on one charge. Picture: Patrick Hamilton

A multinational gas company with operations across the Western Downs has pleaded guilty to an environmentally related charge.

QGC Pty Ltd, commonly known as Shell, were mentioned in Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with contravening the condition of an environmental authority.

The global energy giant operates a number of coal seam gas reserves in the Surat Basin throughout southwest Queensland.

The Department of Environment and Science, represented on behalf of lawyer Deborah Holliday, said they were advised the matter would be resolved by way of a plea.

QGC’s defence lawyer Ralph Devlin said he was instructed by the legal branch of the defendant corporation to formally plead guilty to the single charge.

Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan listed the matter for a sentence at 11am on July 30.

A Shell QGC spokeswoman said they were unable to provide any further comments as this matter was still before the courts.

“Shell’s QGC business takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, and is committed to protecting the environment across our operations,” she said.