Norwegian company Equinor ordered to resubmit environmental plan to drill for oil in Great Australian Bight
The Norwegian company proposing to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight has been ordered to modify and resubmit its environmental plan.
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A plan to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight has been delayed for the fourth time by the independent regulator.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority on Monday announced more information about oil spill risk, consultation, and environmental protections were needed from the Norwegian company, Equinor.
“NOPSEMA issued a notice to Equinor requiring them to modify and resubmit their environment plan for proposed drilling in the Great Australian Bight,” the regulator said in a statement.
“The opportunity to modify and resubmit does not represent a refusal or rejection of the environment plan.
“This is a normal part of NOPSEMA’s environment plan assessment process.”
It is the fourth delay since Equinor submitted its environment plan to the regulator in April.
The oil and gas exploration watchdog now requires the company to resubmit an updated plan by November 29.
Equinor’s country manager for Australia, Jone Stangeland, yesterday told The Advertiser that planning for exploration activities demanded “detailed and careful” work.
“Our environment plan is a 1500-page technical, scientific and evidence-based document which shows our careful planning for safe operations,” he said.
“Equinor remains committed to the opportunity to explore the Great Australian Bight, which we consider to be a highly prospective asset in our global exploration portfolio.”
Environment groups, which have been lobbying against oil exploration in the Bight, celebrated the setback for the company.
Wilderness Society SA director, Peter Owen, said Equinor should “drop this farce” before it damages the reputation of the company and Norway further.
“We know NOPSEMA has requested more information about Equinor’s ‘consultation’, which is little wonder given that numerous organisations have consistently criticised its extraordinary refusal to consult environmental, indigenous and local government stakeholders.”
Greenpeace Australia Pacific senior campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said: “Equinor will never have a safe plan because drilling in the Bight is exceptionally dangerous”.
NOPSEMA’s decision comes after it was revealed that South Australia would be shortchanged if oil was extracted from the Bight.