Iconic West Australian tourist site the Pinnacles has been removed from an exploration permit granted to an oil and gas company following criticism.

Norwest Energy applied to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) to remove the Pinnacles and desert areas from its exploration permit which was granted in late October.

The company said it never intended to develop within the sensitive site.

Local MP Shane Love, who represents the district of Moore, had been outspoken in his criticism of the decision to grant the exploration permit for the "unnecessary angst" it had caused the local community.

Norwest CEO Peter Munachen said the move was a categorical commitment that it had no intention of conducting any exploration within the Pinnacles area.

"It was one was of absolutely, categorically saying 'we're not going there' and the fact it there's nothing there in any event," he said.

"The fact is that we've said all the way that we recognise that it's a tourist centre. We also just celebrated last week the relationship with the Yued people."

DMP said it is the first time that a company has applied for such an amendment.

In a statement, DMP executive director of petroleum Jeff Haworth said at the company's request, it had adjusted the permit to exclude entry for the purpose of exploration to the desert areas, including the Red, Painted, Little Painted and Pinnacle deserts.

"While it would have been highly unlikely that access for exploration activity within the Pinnacles area would be granted under the current regulatory framework, the new conditions will provide greater clarity for everyone," he said.

"The DMP expects companies to engage with communities about their projects, so we were pleased the company made this request, which demonstrates it is serious about social responsibility."