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 SUSPENDED WELLS INSPECTIONS Beach is planning to undertake routine inspections of three suspended wells in Bass Strait starting approximately 17 December 2021, over 3 days subject to weather conditions. Further information and a location map can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2rmvrvw8
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
PRION SIESMIC SURVEY The survey recommenced yesterday after a short weather delay. Mariners will be advised if the vessel moves from the operation area, and can continue to contact the survey and support vessels directly, see: https://tinyurl.com/ppr43e5w
WEATHER DELAY In response to weather conditions, the Geo Coral marine seismic survey vessel has retrieved equipment and is sheltering as per attached look ahead report - Geo Coral 48hr Look Ahead - 14Nov2021.
FURTHER PRE-LAY OF ANCHORS AND MOORING CHAINS Beach Energy will begin pre-laying anchors and buoys for the Thylacine West 1 and 2 wells around late November 2021, with exact timing subject to weather.
Click here for details on coordinates and further information. Update on Prion Marine Seismic Survey. PROJECT UPDATE The Prion Marine Seismic Survey has commenced laying out equipment on approach to the survey area in Bass Strait (see attached map) and the survey acquisition is expected to commence on 11 November 2021.
The survey will take around 35 to 50 days to complete and the survey and support vessels are expected to remain in the operational area for the duration of the survey.
SAFETY EXCLUSION ZONE A Notice to Mariners has been issued by the Australian Hydrographic Office regarding vessel clearances required for this activity (click here for further details).
FURTHER INFORMATION For further information on timings, location map, safety exclusion zone and contact details for the three vessels that will be carrying out the project click here:
Further information on the Prion Survey can be found here
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/
Please note that the Geo Coral has returned to the operational area and has recommenced the seismic acquisition.
ConocoPhillips Australia will undertake a three-dimensional (3D) marine seismic survey (the Sequoia 3D seismic survey) in Exploration Permit T/49P to enable assessment of the natural gas reservoirs in the eastern offshore Otway Basin. The survey will commence on approximately 20 August 2021 and be completed no later than 31 October 2021. ConocoPhillips Australia invites any commercial fisher that fishes in or near the operational area to register for and attend a virtual pre-survey briefing.
Invitation to Register for Pre-Survey Briefing - click here
In advance of this, please see below updates from ConocoPhillips.
Adjustment Protocol Again, thank you so much for your input and guidance as we have developed this adjustment protocol. Attached is the final version, along with a fact sheet that provides a brief overview. Both of these documents will be available on our website, however we would appreciate you distributing this to relevant members. If you get feedback on the workability/process of making a claim that we can improve on, please let me know and we can continue to work this so that it is a smooth as possible for your members. I acknowledge there are concerns that you have that aren’t in the scope of this protocol – primarily concerns around long term compensation and changes to the market (COVID/ political etc).
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 The upcoming Marine Engineering Geotechnical Site Investigation (MEGSI) surveys have been scheduled in Bass Strait between Heybridge in Tasmania and Waratah Bay in Victoria.
The tender for the MEGSI surveys has been awarded to Australian company MMA. Please refer to the media release here.
The expert crew aboard the survey ship ‘TEK Ocean Spirit’ will leave from Burnie Port in mid-January 2022 and take between four to six weeks (weather dependent) to survey the 250 kilometres between Heybridge in Tasmania and Waratah Bay in Victoria.
The survey will be conducted on approximately 110 sites across Bass Strait, in sea depths up to 80 metres.
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.
The types of testing that will be undertaken in the survey include core sampling, cone penetrometer testing and thermal testing. The surveys will have a very localised impact, and will only require sampling up to 5 metres below the seafloor.
To ensure survey activities have a minimal impact on marine operators and waterway users, please check your local marine safety authority for notices.
It should be noted that there will be no seismic testing involved in this survey.
Maritime cultural heritage and archaeology survey – nearshore environment, Waratah Bay, Victoria As you may recall in the last update, we are currently undertaking non-invasive maritime cultural heritage and archaeology surveys in the nearshore environments along the proposed route. The first survey took place in late September 2021, in the Heybridge (TAS) nearshore environment. One item found of particular interest was a cement block-like structure, which is currently being studied to see if it holds any heritage value. The survey crew are scheduled to complete the survey for the Waratah Bay nearshore environment in late November 2021. These surveys, like many others we undertake, will provide important scientific data that will inform the rigorous environmental and technical assessment processes that will enable us to sensitively build Marinus Link.
Marine benthic ecology survey – nearshore environment, Waratah Bay, Victoria So far we have completed marine benthic ecology surveys in the Heybridge nearshore environment and in Bass Strait. The benthic ecology survey will conclude in late November 2021 with the survey of the nearshore environment at Waratah Bay. This non-invasive survey will help us determine the locations of sensitive seabed habitats such as reefs, outcrops, sponge gardens and seagrasses, as well as how to avoid or minimise the impact of Marinus Link on the marine environment.
Update on environmental referral under EPBC Act
On 4 November 2021, a delegate of the Minister decided that the proposed action is a controlled action and requires further assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed. The proposed action will be assessed through an Environmental Impact Statement.