SIV is not in a position to stop seismic surveys however, we are supporting our Members through negotiating with the oil and gas companies to represent industry interests. This includes negotiating compensation outcomes should fishing businesses be impacted by seismic surveys. This could include assisting Members with application for compensation.
We will keep you informed with the latest updates.
BEAch energy
Update on Offshore Drilling Campaign
DRILL RIG MOVE UPDATE Further to our last update on 28 February 2022, the Ocean Onyx drill rig is now expected to move location in the last week of April 2022, to commence drilling the Thylacine North-2 well.
The mooring lines and anchors have been pre-laid in preparation for the rig move. The attached information sheet includes location coordinates for the drill rig and anchors, along with vessel contact details. SAFETY EXCLUSION ZONE Beach reminds mariners that vessels must not enter the 500 m Petroleum Safety Zone (PSZ) around the drill rig. During drilling there is a further cautionary zone of 2 km radius around the rig's mooring lines.
After drilling is complete, PSZs will remain in place at each well head. A further permanent PSZ will be created around new seabed infrastructure (see map-beach_energy_otway_offshore_project_update_april_2022.pdf) FURTHER INFORMATION If you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to contact us: community@beachenergy.com.au or 1800 797 011
SEABED ASSESSMENTS Updating our last advice on 6 October 2021 regarding activity timing for seabed assessments, the remaining Geotechnical activities may be undertaken up to December 2023. The activities will take approximately 30 days and are most likely to occur between January and February 2022, or between November 2022 and February 2023, subject weather and vessel availability. At least 2 weeks’ notice will be given in advance of the start date. Further information and a map can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/5y457n3h
UPDATE Please be advised that the Sequoia 3D Marine Seismic Survey concluded on Sunday 31 October. The seismic vessel will undertake demobilisation activities as they exit the permit area west of King Island. All exclusion zones in place for the survey are now removed. Claims under the Commercial Fishing Adjustment Protocol will be accepted until 31 January 2022. Information on the protocol can be found here https://www.conocophillips.com.au/what-we-do/otway-basin/
Safe Marine Operations Protocol Please find attached the Safe Marine Operations Protocol for distribution to your members. This document outlines the protocols that will be implemented to ensure the safety of all marine users during the survey. All of your members that may be operating in the region during the acquisition window are encouraged to subscribe to the daily 48 hour look ahead notification. Details on this are included in the attached protocol.
Marinus Link project update - MEGSI survey - Bass Strait Marinus Link’s Marine Engineering Geotechnical Site Investigation (MEGSI) continues into its 4th week of the campaign in the Bass Strait.
Nearshore DCPT testing in Waratah Bay and contamination sampling in Heybridge are completed.
Core Sampling work continues in Waratah Bay and along the proposed route in the Bass Strait.
Our survey vessel TEK Ocean Spirit is currently undertaking geotechnical investigations of the ocean floor in Waratah Bay.
Background:
Marinus Link’s MEGSI survey began on Wednesday, 9 February, departing from Port Anthony, Victoria. Official survey activities commenced off the coast of Burnie, Tasmania on Thursday, 10 February.
The MEGSI survey is being undertaken by Australian company MMA Offshore, aboard the survey ship ‘TEK Ocean Spirit’.
The survey will take between four to six weeks (weather dependent) and will carry out tests on approximately 110 sites across Bass Strait, in sea depths up to 80 metres.
The types of testing being undertaken include core sampling, cone penetrometer testing (CPT) and thermal testing. The surveys will have a very localised impact, and will only require sampling up to 5 metres below the seafloor. We will also be conducting contaminant sampling in the nearshore environment around Heybridge (TAS). To ensure the survey activities have a minimal impact on marine operators and waterway users, we recommend that you check your local marine safety authority for notices:
It should be noted that there will be no seismic testing involved in this survey. This is the third marine survey Marinus Link has undertaken to determine the most suitable corridor for the project’s undersea cables to be sensitively buried.