A monster seismic blasting proposal could threaten marine life in the oceans off south-east Australia.
A joint venture between TGS and SLB/Schlumberger is proposing to conduct seismic blasting in 31,500 square kilometres of ocean in the Otway Basin between Victoria and Tasmania. If approved, this would be one of the largest 3D seismic blasting projects in Australian history.
The seismic blasting proposal is situated in an area of incredible marine biodiversity. These oceans are home to Biologically Important Areas, critical habitat, and foraging and resting areas for threatened species, including the southern right whale, pygmy blue whale and Australian sea lion. Blasting would also occur over the Zeehan Marine Park and the Bonney Upwelling, a seasonal oceanographic system that stretches from Portland towards Kangaroo Island in South Australia. This powerful upwelling provides a haven for krill – tiny crustaceans that are vital to marine food webs.
If allowed to go ahead, this enormous area of our oceans, and the marine life that live there, will be repeatedly impacted by seismic blasting from 2024 through to 2027. Some areas of the TGS/SLB-Schlumberger proposal have already been seismic blasted in the past 5 to 10 years.
TGS/SLB-Schlumberger are applying to carry out seismic blasting using a cheap and reckless permit called a Special Prospecting Authority (SPA). This cowboy permit allows companies to sidestep the annual acreage release process and avoid regulatory scrutiny, including passing the ‘fit and proper persons test’. SLB/Schlumberger is being investigated by the Department of Public Prosecutions for its conduct during a 2020 seismic blasting survey in the Otway Basin, where the company allegedly seismic blasted over critical blue whale habitat and sensitive marine areas of the Bonney Upwelling.
The social licence for new offshore oil and gas is gone. In July 2023, the government regulator, NOPSEMA, opened a 30-day public comment period to collect feedback on TGS’s Environment Plan. Over 30,000 people made submissions, with the vast majority opposing the proposal, including nearly 20,000 submissions made by Australian Marine Conservation Society supporters. In March 2024, a decision from NOPSEMA was delayed following public outcry about failures of consultation.
As a result of public pressure, TGS has repeatedly shrunk the size of the project area from 75,000 square kilometres back in 2022, to 45,000 square kilometres in 2023, and again to 31,500 square kilometres in May 2024.
This response sends a clear message that Australians overwhelmingly reject seismic blasting for offshore oil and gas in our oceans.
Now is our chance to turn the tide on harmful offshore oil and gas exploration. Take action now and tell the federal Resources Minister Madeleine King to abolish seismic blasting Special Prospecting Authority permits.
Have a read: ‘Seismic search for gas risks marine life, say opponents’ – The Age