| Varanus Island | |
| Map: | Western Australia |
| Location: | Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia |
| Coordinates: | -20.6508°N 115.5742°W |
| Archipelago: | Lowendal Islands |
| Area Km2: | 0.83 |
| Length Km: | 2.5 |
| Width Km: | 0.6 |
| Country: | Australia |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | State |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Western Australia |
Varanus Island is the largest of the Lowendal Islands, an archipelago off the north west coast of Western Australia, near Karratha in the Pilbara region. The island is approximately 59km (37miles) from the mainland coast. It is located at -20.6508°N 115.5742°W.[1] [2]
It has facilities for piping oil and gas from various locations within the Harriet and East Spar oilfield, that was developed by the Bond Corporation in 1987,[3] that is now known as the Varanus Island Processing Hub and owned by Santos Limited.[4]
The island is part of the Lowendal Islands Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds.[5] The presence of oil and gas field operations appear to not have significantly affected local birdlife.[6]
See also: 2008 Western Australian gas crisis. On 3 June 2008, Apache Energy's primary gas pipeline ruptured, causing an explosion. The plant was shut down, and all personnel on the island were airlifted out.[7]