Australia's BPH Energy explores legal avenues over project permit

Bounty Oil and Gas NL

23/08/2022 03:06

Aug 23 (Reuters) - Australia's BPH Energy Ltd  BPH.AX  said
on Tuesday it was conducting a review of options, including
potential for legal avenues, after reports said former Prime
Minister Scott Morrison used his power to block an exploration
project of the company.
    Morrison had secretly appointed himself minister for home
affairs and treasury during the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition
to the health, finance and resources portfolios previously
revealed, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last
week.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2ZT0B3
    The former prime minister said last week that he had used
his power as the resources minister to stop approval for BPH
Energy's PEP11 gas exploration project off the coast of
Australia, which was opposed by local communities and Members of
Parliament.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2ZS005
    Asset Energy, a subsidiary of BPH Energy, holds an 85% stake
in the Sydney Basin oil and gas project, PEP11 or Petroleum
Exploration Permit 11, while ASX-listed Bounty Oil and Gas
 BUY.AX  owns the remaining 15% interest.
    Morrison's decision to refuse an extension of the PEP-11
permit for off-shore drilling was challenged in court by Asset
Energy in June. 
    

 (Reporting by Riya Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu
Sahu)
 ((Riya.Sharma@thomsonreuters.com;))