Sauropod 3D Marine Seismic Survey Information
Viridien Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (ABN 70 081 777 755) has received approval from NOPSEMA of an environment plan for its Sauropod 3D Marine Seismic Survey (MSS), located in the eastern Bedout Sub-basin, approximately 120 km from the West Australian coast at Pardoo and 230 km from Broome. The survey will take a maximum of 60 days to acquire within the acquisition window of January to May 2025.
Viridien wishes to continue consult with relevant stakeholders to identify any functions, interests or activities that may be affected by the proposed operations. The environmental consultant RPS will continue engaging with stakeholders (local communities, traditional owners, fisheries representatives, conservation associations, regulatory bodies, etc.) and addressing their potential concerns.
This page provides detailed information about the Sauropod 3D MSS:
1. Who is Viridien Australia?
2. What is ‘multi-client data’?
3. What kind of activities are planned to be conducted during the Sauropod 3D Marine Seismic Survey?
4. Why is new data needed in this area?
5. How are seismic surveys authorized?
6. Do Viridien activities impact the environment?
7. Is there a potential impact on fish?
8. Will this survey mean all fishing in the area will have to be stopped during acquisition?
9. What kind of consultation process has there been with the local stakeholders?
Viridien has had offices in Australia since 1983 and currently employs 23 people in Perth. A leader in cutting-edge geoscience, we have a strong focus on innovation and a commitment to delivering the best sustainable solutions to our clients’ energy challenges. We bring our clients a unique range of technologies, services and equipment designed to acquire extremely precise data and images of the Earth’s subsurface. We also provide state-of-the-art software and services for analyzing that data and developing a deeper understanding of the subsurface for exploration, production and optimization of oil and gas reservoirs.
The Sauropod 3D Marine Seismic Survey will be carried out by Viridien Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, operating under Australia Business Number 70 081 777 755.
Geophysical surveys are acquired in two ways: either as a multi-client survey or as a proprietary survey. A proprietary survey is acquired by a single company using a geophysical contractor, over its area of interest only. Multi-client data is acquired by a geophysical company and covers a larger area of interest. The data is licensed to clients on a non-exclusive basis. In both cases, the data is ultimately owned by the Commonwealth of Australia.
The aim of the proposed Sauropod 3D Marine Seismic Survey (Sauropod MSS) is to explore the area in order to evaluate its potential natural resources. The survey vessel would operate over approximately 6,000 km2, including approximately 3,500 km2 where seismic data could be acquired (see map).
The survey vessel will be operating in Commonwealth waters.
The main purpose of seismic exploration is to render the most accurate possible graphic representation of specific portions of the Earth’s subsurface geologic structure.
Acquisition of seismic data involves the transmission of controlled acoustic energy into the Earth and recording the energy that is reflected back from geologic boundaries in the subsurface.
The images produced allow the evaluation of the area for its potential to yield natural resources.
Seismic surveys are the main tool used in oil and gas exploration and are used routinely throughout the world and around Australia. Numerous 2D and 3D surveys have taken place on the North West Shelf for over half a century, alongside other activities, such as petroleum production and commercial fishing.
The North Carnarvon Basin has been producing hydrocarbons since the 1960s and has seen the discovery of several giant oil and gas fields. Since that time, acquisition and processing technologies have advanced dramatically. More recently, work on the Bedout Sub-basin, within the North Carnarvon Basin, has revealed its potential as a new oil and gas province. New data is required to further examine and help unlock this potential.
The Australian Government requires petroleum and greenhouse gas (GHG) companies to conduct their activities in a manner that meets a high standard of environmental protection. The seismic industry’s environmental record in Australia, particularly in offshore areas, has been exemplary. No offshore seismic survey proposal would be approved unless the highest environmental standards had been met.
Under Environment Regulations, an operator is legally required to submit an Environment Plan to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for public disclosure. Once accepted by NOPSEMA, an electronic version of the Environment Plan will be available on NOPSEMA’s website.
Environment Plans submitted for petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters are available on the NOPSEMA website at this link.
Viridien is currently commissioning RPS, a specialist environmental consultancy, to prepare a detailed Environment Plan for NOPSEMA using the best available science. If this is accepted, a permit may be granted to conduct the seismic survey under the conditions agreed to in the Environment Plan. During the Environment Plan preparation phase, the environmental consultancy engages with stakeholders (local communities, traditional owners, fisheries representatives, conservation associations, regulatory bodies, etc.) and addresses their potential concerns.
Viridien’s Sauropod MSS Environment Plan was opened for public comment for 30 days on 19 September 2023 and can be found on the NOPSEMA website.
Viridien’s policy is to apply ecodesign principles and mitigations to prevent and remediate potential negative effects on the environment.
Our marine seismic surveys play an important role in reducing environmental footprints. Seismic surveys are short-term events that provide indirect environmental benefits. First, they reveal which areas are not viable prospects. Second, they reduce the number of wells required to locate and precisely delineate oil and natural gas resources. And third, they reduce the number of wells required to produce the resources that are discovered.
Viridien diligently applies risk-based monitoring and mitigation measures, which have been tailored to the local environment as a result of the Environmental Impact Assessment. These include specific measures protecting marine life in line with national requirements and international laws and regulations.
The seismic source is progressively started (‘soft-start’) over a period of 30 minutes starting from the smallest single source element to the entire array. Independent Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) ensure a watch of 30 minutes prior to the soft start from the vessel bridge, monitoring a safety zone of 3,000 meters from the seismic source.
If a whale is detected, the soft start cannot take place until a clear 30 minutes has passed without a further sighting. Throughout data acquisition, MMOs have the authority to stop the seismic source so as to prevent any risk of harm to the animal if a marine animal is sighted within the safety zone. Records from marine life monitoring and mitigations are sent to NOPSEMA.
Every year, Viridien transparently reports its consolidated environmental performance in its sustainability report.
As part of its Care+Protect program, Viridien is committed to further investigate the effects of operations on marine life and implement further measures of mitigation where necessary. Viridien therefore commissioned original research from the UK Universities of Exeter and Bristol to assess the cumulative effect of seismic sound and other man-made sounds such as shipping and pile-driving on fish post-larvae, a very sensitive life-stage. The results, which are published in a high-level peer-reviewed scientific journal, are compelling. After having initially developed some levels of stress as a result of the exposure to seismic sound, the post-larvae have quickly developed a mechanism of tolerance to the seismic sound, which has allowed them to eliminate any stress and grow the same way as the post-larvae raised in the same conditions without any exposure to man-made sound.
The Sauropod MSS Environment Plan will assess and discuss potential impacts, including on local fish species. Fish can respond differently to seismic sound depending on whether or not they have a swim bladder, a gas-filled chamber that can detect sound pressure. The research on post-larvae referenced above focused on the seabass, a model species with swim bladder. Fish with a swim bladder include blue warehou, jackass morwong, whiting, yellow-eyed mullet, Australian sardine, Australian salmon and some species of flathead. Fish with no swim bladder are less susceptible to sound pressure impacts from seismic surveys. These include sharks, rays, mackerel and tuna, as well as many flatfish and flounder.
Past 3D seismic Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) referenced on NOPSEMA’s website have determined that potential impacts from the survey on all fish, including those with a swim bladder, has been assessed as minor or insignificant, localized, and temporary. It is also noted that no cases of fish death have been reported from seismic surveys.
No, our seismic surveys are designed, planned and executed to prevent potential conflicts of usage with other sea users. Although the potential exists for short-term inconvenience and disruption to the patterns of fishing and aquaculture, the survey lines are therefore carefully planned and discussed with fisheries representatives and other interested parties ahead of and during operations. Early stakeholder engagement and local consultations aim to limit interference to the lowest levels possible. Ongoing communications with all interested parties are maintained throughout the survey.
Viridien will implement the Collaborative Seismic Environment Plan NERA Commercial Fishing Industry Adjustment Protocol to formally manage claims should any commercial fishing stakeholders incur any loss of catch, displacement, or require replacement of fishing equipment lost or damaged as a consequence of survey activities.
The seismic vessel sails slowly (about 4.5 knots) and has limited maneuvering capabilities due to the length of the towed cables. One or more support vessels escort the seismic vessel, with the duty to establish and maintain communications with other vessels in the area.
Viridien has contracted RPS, an environmental consulting company, to assist us in communications with the stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement to date has included:
Consultation with government departments (state and commonwealth)
Consultation with traditional owners
Consultation with fishing industry associations and WAFIC
Consultation with individual commercial fishers historically active within the survey area
Consultation with recreational fishers through Recfishwest
Consultation with the pearl producers’ association
Public information for broader engagement is provided on this webpage, through a project specific website at www.sauropodmss.com.au, and through adverts in various newspapers
Information has been sent to stakeholders detailing how feedback has been incorporated into the survey planning (see PDF downloads below)
A positive outcome, whereby the survey is completed safely and cost-effectively and disruption of fishing activity is minimized, relies on open communications. Viridien wants to work with fishers to minimize and mitigate any impacts and invites cooperation from the fishing industry in providing open and honest information on the key areas fished and where they plan to fish between January and May 2024 and/or 2025.
Viridien thanks all fishers and other stakeholders who have taken the time to provide feedback to date and encourages others to provide detailed information on any areas or times of particular importance, such that impacts can be minimized further.