Oil company Equinor planning to drill in The Bight lashes opponents of project’s environmental risks

The company planning to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight has accused some of its opponents of overstating the project’s environmental risks.

The company planning to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight has accused some of its opponents of overstating the project’s environmental risks.

In a submission to the Federal Government, Norwegian company Equinor has lashed out at reports on the scale of potential damage in the event of a leak.

“Aspects of our environmental plan have been misrepresented in material circulating online, particularly the risk and consequences of a highly unlikely oil spill,’’ Equinor’s submission states.

“These misrepresentations, which inaccurately give the impression that impossible scenarios could happen, have led to real concerns among many people in the community.”

The Advertiser understands the company’s criticism is a response to predictions that the effects of an oil spill could extend to Sydney and New Zealand.

Equinor will on Thursday formally submit its 1500-page environmental plan to the Federal Government’s independent umpire for consideration.

It plans to drill one well before the end of 2021.

Greenpeace Australia on Wednesday released a report showing Equinor had more than 50 safety incidents in the past three and a half years, including 10 that resulted in chemical, oil or gas leaks.