Download Caldita-Barossa Marine Seismic Data Acquisition

Caldita-Barossa
Marine Seismic
Data Acquisition
Overview
Fact Sheet - August 2016
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ConocoPhillips is currently acquiring three dimensional (3D) marine seismic data in an area of the Timor Sea, 300
kilometres north of Darwin.
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Data is being acquired in Retention Lease Permits NT/RL5 and NT/RL6, known as the Caldita-Barossa assets, as well as
some adjacent open acreage. The permit areas are in Commonwealth waters of the Bonaparte Basin
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ConocoPhillips operates NT/RL5 and NT/RL6 on behalf of co-venturers Santos Offshore Pty Ltd and SK E&S Australia
Pty Ltd (SK). The permits are granted and administered pursuant to the Commonwealth Offshore Petroleum and
Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
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ConocoPhillips has been successfully undertaking activities within the permit areas since 2004 and can demonstrate
a history of safe and environmentally responsible actions as well as a strong understanding of the area’s key
environmental features and sensitivities
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The Environment Plan (EP) enabling data acquisition until 30 September 2016 was accepted by the Commonwealth
regulatory body for offshore oil and gas activities, NOPSEMA, on 27 July 2016. Because we expect to need to continue
acquisition beyond this date, ConocoPhillips has submitted an EP Revision to NOPSEMA to allow acquisition to
continue until 31 October 2016.
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The data acquisition is part of the ongoing appraisal program for potential
future field development. The presence of significant accumulations of
natural gas has been previously confirmed in the permits and the coventurers are now determining whether the recoverable resource can be
commercially developed. The seismic data results, as well as further appraisal
drilling planned for 2016/17, will help to further delineate the existing
reservoir and inform engineering design.
Acquisition Methods
Marine seismic acquisition is commonly used in the oil and gas
industry to improve understanding of subsurface geology.
Data is collected using a purpose-built seismic vessel towing
dual acoustic source arrays and hydrophone cables (streamers).
Acoustic emissions from the source arrays are detected by the
hydrophone cables and recorded on the vessel.
The reflected sound is processed to provide information about
the structure and composition of the geological formations
below the seabed, including hydrocarbon reservoirs.
ConocoPhillips has contracted Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS)
to conduct the data acquisition. PGS is a highly experienced
and credentialed international company that has carried out
marine seismic data acquisition over many years in Australian
waters.
The Ramform Sovereign is accompanied by a logistics support
vessel and a chaser vessel that ensures other vessels do not
come in close proximity.
In direct response to stakeholder feedback, ConocoPhillips has
fundamentally redesigned the survey to complete the areas
to the South, with potentially largest fisheries impact, first. The
redesign has also resulted in the total data acquisition area
now being reduced by approximately 10 percent, from 3,186
square kilometres to 2,858 square kilometres.
As per the map above, the data acquisition area has been divided into two areas – Area A covers approximately 2,200 square kilometres
and Area B, 658 square kilometres. Data acquisition is occurring in Area A first and is planned to be completed by 30 September 2016.
Once data acquisition in Area A is completed we will then acquire data within Area B.
The indicative boundary coordinates of the operational area are:
Easting
Northing
627753 mE 8839473 mN
565959 mE 8886038 mN
643855 mE 8989410 mN
708373 mE 8940792 mN
631972 mE 8839504 mN
UTM Zone: 52
Water depths in the operational area range from 75 to 550 metres. The vessel
tows 16 hydrophone cables, at a length of 6 km at depths of 20 m. The
distance between the hydrophone cables is an average 50 m.
The total volume of the seismic source proposed for the survey is 4,130 cubic inches. This source size was selected to meet several
criteria regarding operational stability, predictable behaviour and fit for purpose subsurface seismic imaging (vertical focus).
The vessel collects data along a series of pre-determined sail lines at an average speed of 8-9 km/hour. There are a total of 109 sail lines
in the acquisition area, with a total length of 8,384 km and a separation distance of 400 m. The seismic source is discharged at a nominal
interval of 8 seconds along each sail line. The seismic source produces peak at source (i.e. within a few metres of the airgun array) sound
pulses of zero to peak sound pressure level of approximately 246 dB re 1 μPa @ 1 m, and sound exposure levels of approximately 223 dB
re 1 μPa2.s @ 1 m across a frequency range of 10 Hz to 2 kHz.
Environmental Studies
ConocoPhillips has undertaken an extensive and robust environmental baseline
studies program to characterise the existing marine environment within and
surrounding the Caldita-Barossa fields, as part of the Company’s commitment
to understanding and protecting the environment and to support the potential
future development of the Caldita-Barossa fields. The studies were undertaken in
conjunction with a range of expert research partners and consultancies.
Data collection occurred across the region to understand water and sediment
quality, benthic habitat, infauna and fish communities, met-ocean and
meteorological conditions (e.g. currents, wave heights, wind speed) and
underwater noise.
As part of the program, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) also conducted a survey of the seabed biodiversity and fish
communities of offshore shoals and within the proposed Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (designated as a Multiple Use
Zone).
Environmental Approvals
On 27 July 2016, an Environment Plan (EP) for the data acquisition was accepted by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and
Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) in accordance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage
(Environment) Regulations 2009. This enabled data acquisition to occur until 30 September 2016.
The acceptance decision is available at: https://www.nopsema.gov.au/assets/epdocuments/A494813.pdf.
Because we expect to need to continue acquisition beyond this date, ConocoPhillips has submitted an EP Revision to NOPSEMA to allow
acquisition to continue until 31 October 2016.
Environmental Management
ConocoPhillips is committed to conducting all activities and work in a manner that is safe for our employees, contractors and the public,
which protects the environment and adds value to the communities where we live and work. All activities conducted by ConocoPhillips
are subject to rigorous environmental risk assessments and planning, and undertaken in strict compliance with all relevant legislative
requirements.
It is recognised that marine seismic surveys can affect the marine environment, with the main environmental concern being their
repetitive use of a high-energy noise source and the effects of this acoustic disturbance on marine animals.
Through undertaking a detailed risk assessment process for the activity, ConocoPhillips has identified a range of measures aimed at
reducing and managing potential impacts on the environment.
The key environmental management measures include:
• Use of trained marine mammal observers to look for the presence of marine animals during seismic data acquisition activities
• Undertaking the activity in accordance with the EPBC Act Policy Statement 2.1 Interaction between offshore seismic exploration
and whales: Industry guidelines
• All routine discharges will be disposed of in accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From
Ships, 1973 (commonly referred to as MARPOL 73/78) and relevant Australian Marine Orders
• Appropriate storage of hydrocarbons and chemicals
• Implementation of appropriate refueling procedures to minimise the risk of spills
• Preparation of a suitable Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, which includes detailed spill response measures and equipment
• Compliance with all Australian quarantine requirements and guidelines to prevent the introduction of invasive marine species.
Consultation
An important part of the preparation process is to consult with other potential users of the proposed acquisition area during the
planned activity period. In the case of the permit areas, ConocoPhillips commenced discussions in October 2015 with commercial
fishing operators and other users as well as the Northern Territory and Commonwealth agencies with regulatory roles.
Consultation has been conducted and is ongoing with all relevant stakeholders, including those whose operational interests may
be affected or those with an interest in the potential environmental, social or economic impacts.
From October 2015 to June 2016, ConocoPhillips consulted with all stakeholders during preparation of the EP enabling data
acquisition until 30 September 2016. From 31 May to 8 August 2016, ConocoPhillips consulted with stakeholders on the EP
Revision in order to address issues or concerns related to new or increased environmental impact or risk that arise as a result of
conducting the data acquisition between 1 October and 31 October 2016.
All feedback received is considered as part of the environmental risk assessment and management process to assist in the
preparation of the formal EP. A summary of all feedback and communication received and given on behalf of ConocoPhillips was
provided to NOPSEMA as required under legislation.
In direct response to stakeholder feedback, ConocoPhillips fundamentally redesigned the survey, in both time and area, to
manage environmental risk and impact and minimise disruption to other users of the marine environment for the data acquisition
that would need to occur during October 2016. ConocoPhillips recognises that we share equal access rights with other users of
the marine environment and has specific arrangements in place with these stakeholders to ensure they are kept appraised of our
activities during the data acquisition period and have ongoing opportunity to seek information or discuss any issues or concerns
they may have. Other stakeholders can also continue to contact ConocoPhillips via the details below.
ConocoPhillips is committed to responsible oil and gas production and achieving excellence in everything we do.
The essence of the ConocoPhillips brand is Accountability and Performance. Our SPIRIT Values, comprising the principles of Safety,
People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Teamwork, set the tone for everything we do. By conducting our business in
accordance with these values, we will continue to deliver energy sustainably and responsibly.
About ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips is the world’s largest independent oil and gas exploration and production company, based on proved reserves and
production. Headquartered in Houston Texas, ConocoPhillips has more than 15,600 employees and assets in 21 countries.
ConocoPhillips Australia is the operator of the Bayu-Undan facility located in the Joint Petroleum Development Area of the
Timor Sea. ConocoPhillips’ portfolio includes the Darwin LNG facility in the Northern Territory and Australia Pacific LNG facility
in Queensland. We also have exploration and appraisal projects offshore from Australia including the Greater Poseidon, CalditaBarossa and Greater Sunrise fields.
You can communicate to ConocoPhillips in any manner convenient to you (post, email or phone).
All input is carefully considered, formally recorded and a response provided. Please direct comments to:
Michael Marren - External Relations Adviser
PO Box 1102, West Perth WA 6872
Tel: +61 8 6363 2644
Email: [email protected]
Find out more www.conocophillips.com.au