The number of workers repairing the pipeline, which was damaged by an explosion on June 3, has increased from 45 on June 9 to 104, an Apache spokesman told PetroleumNews.net

He added that Apache was 100% focused on the assessment and recovery phase at the facility.

On June 6, Apache had said it would take at least two months before partial gas sales could resume from the Varanus Island facility.

The incident slashed WA's gas supplies by about 30% and has forced miners and other industrial customers to seek alternative fuel sources or reduce output.

The WA State Government has formed a working group to combat the energy shortfall and announced measures to manage the crisis in the short term.

These include restarting the Kwinana coal-fired station, which was closed for about two months for maintenance, and reopening a decommissioned Collie coal-fired station.