Equinor Submits Revised Oz Bight Drilling Plan

Australia’s offshore regulator National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) December 2 said that on November 29, Equinor resubmitted its environment plan for proposed drilling activity in the Great Australian Bight.

Last month, NOPSEMA had asked Equinor to modify and resubmit the environment plan for proposed drilling. “In accordance with the environment regulations, NOPSEMA has resumed its assessment of Equinor’s environment plan,” it said.

The regulator said that the next decision point in the assessment process is scheduled to occur by the end of this month. “Prior to this point, NOPSEMA will continue to assess the environment plan and consider potential environmental impacts from the proposed activity to ensure appropriate precautions are taken,” it said.

NOPSEMA said it can extend the timeframe of the assessment if additional time is required and will only accept the environment plan once it meets the stringent requirements of the law.

In February, Equinor published for consultation its environmental management plans for proposed drilling in the Great Australian Bight - a region of open bay off the southern Australian coast. In September, the regulator requested further information from Equinor to input into its environment plan.