Inpex Gets Okay for 2D Survey Off West Oz

The Australian offshore regulator April 9 approved Inpex's proposal to acquire a 2D seismic survey of exploration permits WA-532-P and WA-533-P in the Browse and offshore Canning basins.

The 2D seismic survey will also include the acquisition of seismic data in production licence WA-50-L, also within the Browse basin, said the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (Nopsema).

At the closest point, the survey activity will be undertaken over 87 km west of Broome and 42 km offshore from the Dampier peninsula. Seismic data acquisition will mainly take place in water depths between approximately 50-600 metres below mean sea level, Nopsema said. However, some seismic data acquisition may occur in shallower areas located at Lynher Bank in the southern part of WA-532-P where the shallowest water depth is approximately 30 metres, and east of WA-533-P where the shallowest water depth is approximately 37 metres.

Based on the environmental risk assessments presented in the environment plan (EP), an acceptable window of opportunity was determined to be from November 1 to 31 May in either calendar year that the EP applies (2020 or 2021). According to Nopsema, Inpex recognises that the Covid-19 pandemic presents challenges to undertaking the seismic survey.

“Due to the current circumstances, it is possible that the survey may not be undertaken within the proposed timeframe. If required, Inpex will submit an EP revision to accommodate the altered schedule,” Nopsema said.