The Department of Industry and Resources, the Environmental Protection Authority and the Conservation Commission will all release their responses to Chevron's environmental, social and economic reports at 12pm today - EnergyReview.net will continue its coverage through the afternoon to bring readers updates and comments from parties affected.

The responses have been deemed critical given pointed comments made by Chevron Australia's chief executive, Jay Johnson, last week that: "there is no fall back after Barrow, this is the only option."

Johnson was referring to suggestions that the Gorgon field should be developed without the use of nearby Barrow Island for processing infrastructure. Johnson dismissed the idea saying that locating the plant on WA's mainland would add $1 billion to the project's cost, ruling out any hope of it being viable.

Johnson was reported as saying that if Chevron was denied access to Barrow Island then it may pursue an alternative natural gas project in Angola.

Once the government agencies have released their responses today there will be a six-week public comment period before the State Cabinet must make a decision on whether to give in-principle approval to use Barrow Island.