Oz Resumes Assessment of Equinor's Bight Drill Plan

Australia’s offshore regulator National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) September 19 said it had resumed the assessment of Equinor’s environment plan for the exploration drilling activity in the Great Australian Bight.

According to NOPSEMA, on September 18, Equinor provided the requested further information regarding the environment plan. “In accordance with the environment regulations, NOPSEMA has resumed its assessment of Equinor’s environment plan,” it said.

NOPSEMA said it had 30 days to assess the proposal and through its assessment it will consider potential environmental impacts from the proposed activity to ensure appropriate precautions are taken. NOPSEMA can extend the timeframe of the assessment if additional time is required. To ensure a fair and unbiased process, NOPSEMA does not comment on the specifics of environment plans under assessment, it said.

In February, Equinor published for consultation its environmental management plans for proposed drilling in the Great Australian Bight.