BP is facing more setbacks for its Great Australian Bight drilling program, following a further request from Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for information on the environment plan.
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Map of the Great Australian Bight, from BP. |
Earlier today (28 September), NOSEMA sent a request to BP Developments Australia asking for more information relating to the company’s environment plan for drilling of the Stromlo-1 and Whinham-1 exploration wells.
According to NOPSEMA, the offshore regulator expects to have the requested information by 28 October, at which time it will recommence the assessment. BP can request an extension of this timeframe if required.
BP’s proposed Bight plans consist of drilling four exploration wells, with the locations yet to be determined, in Commonwealth marine waters in the Greater Australian Bight. The drilling area is the previously acquired Ceduna 3D seismic survey area, which covers 12,100sq km across exploration permit for petroleum (EPP) EPP 37, EPP 38, EPP 39 and EPP 40. BP and Statoil are the registered titleholders of EPPs 37, 38, 39 and 40, with BP being the operator.
The first two wells BP has proposed to drill, will be drilled using a semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling unit. Scheduled to commence from Q4 2016 to Q1 2017, it is anticipated that each well will take approximately 75 days.
Located approximately 600km west of Port Lincoln and 400km southwest of Ceduna, the Stromlo-1 well sits in about 2250m water depth. Whinham-1 is located approximately 600km west of Port Lincoln and 350km southwest of Ceduna, in water depth of approximately 1150m.
Earlier this month, NOPSEMA advised BP that it be taking additional time to assess the company’s plans. The regulator was due to deliver its decision tomorrow (29 September).
On 16 May 2016, NOPSEMA provided BP an opportunity to modify and resubmit their environment plan for exploration drilling in the Great Australian Bight. On 12 July, NOPSEMA granted BP’s request for an extension of the timeframe for resubmission so they may address the matters raised by NOPSEMA in the assessment.
In November 2015, NOPSEMA rejected BP’s four well drilling plan for the project, stating it was not satisfied that the environment plan for exploration drilling in the Great Australian Bight had met regulatory requirements. The rejected followed NOPSEMA’s decision months prior, on 28 October, to take taking extra time to review the plan, originally submitted to the regulator on 1 October.
Read more:
BP’s Great Australian Bight plan needs further assessment
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