Unlike Eastern Australia where most unconventional gas deposits are found in coal seams, in Western Australia the majority of unconventional gas is found in shale beds and tight sandstone rock strata. Shale and tight gasfields involve the industrialisation of entire landscapes with numerous closely spaced wells. Typical gasfields contain thousands of wells. Gasfields also require vast networks of access roads, gas pipelines, processing plants, compressor stations, and wastewater holding dams and treatment plants.

Freedom of Information (FOI) documents obtained by Broome conservation group Environs Kimberley reveal the McGowan Government slugged WA taxpayers with a multimillion dollar clean-up bill for a gaswell after the fracking company behind it went bust, and then gave incorrect information to parliament about the matter.