Buru advances Rafael gas project toward EPA decision
Buru Energy has formally referred its 100%-owned Rafael Conventional Gas Project to Western Australia’s environmental regulator, with a decision on whether the project requires assessment expected by late 2026. The referral keeps the company’s targets of a final investment decision in the second half of 2027 and first gas in early 2029 in view, subject to approvals.
- Formal EPA WA referral for the Rafael gas and liquids project
- Decision on whether EPA assessment is required expected by late 2026
- Buru says its environmental studies found no significant impacts
- Final investment decision targeted for 2H 2027
- First gas production targeted for early 2029, subject to approvals
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Rafael moves into the EPA decision process
Buru Energy Limited (ASX:BRU) has moved its Rafael Conventional Gas Project to a pivotal regulatory stage, formally referring the 100%-owned development to the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The next decision is not an approval to build. Following a public comment period, the EPA WA is expected to determine by late 2026 whether Rafael should undergo a formal environmental assessment. Projects considered unlikely to have a significant environmental impact do not meet the authority’s criteria for assessment, according to Buru’s announcement.
Company targets investment decision in 2027
Buru says the referral follows extensive environmental impact studies, modelling and surveys, which it says did not identify any significant environmental impacts. That is the company’s assessment, rather than an independent regulatory finding, and the EPA process remains the key near-term test.
The company describes Rafael as the only proven conventional gas and liquids resource in the greater Kimberley region and is proposing a small-footprint, modular development. Its stated aim is to create a local source of energy, reduce reliance on imported LNG and LPG, and establish a platform for staged growth and long-term cash flow.
Subject to regulatory approvals, Buru says the referral supports a path towards a final investment decision in the second half of calendar 2027 and first gas production in early calendar 2029. No capital cost, financing plan, production volume or reserves figure was disclosed in this announcement, leaving the economics and funding requirements of the proposed development outside the immediate update.
Bottom Line?
The EPA’s late-2026 decision is the next hard checkpoint; the 2027 investment target remains conditional on that process and further approvals.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the EPA WA require a full environmental assessment of Rafael?
- What capital and financing structure will Buru present before the targeted 2027 investment decision?
- Can the project retain its early-2029 first-gas target through approvals and development?
Sources
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Buru refers the Rafael Project to the EPA WA (opens in a new tab)Verified company source. Buru Energy Limited · 5 Oct 2026 · buruenergy.com
