The Petroleum Resources Availability and Opportunities Study, launched by State Development Minister Clive Brown, will examine existing and potential availability of petroleum-based feedstocks to support a new petro-chemicals industry in the State's north.

The Minister said one of the important aims of the study would be to add value to the WA's existing and proposed oil and gas industry by enhancing the commercialisation of current feedstocks and creating a market for the by-products of future gas to liquids projects.

"Emerging feedstock opportunities capable of supporting a new chemicals industry include ethane, which is available from primary natural gas producers," he said.

Condensate and secondary outputs from future gas to liquid industries, including naphtha and liquid petroleum gases, have also been earmarked as possible feedstock opportunities.

The study will also examine alternative gas processing technologies able to promote the development of new chemical industries in WA.

The study will be commissioned by the Department of Industry and Resources shortly and should be completed by December.