Wednesday 24 April 2019

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has received an environment plan submission from Equinor for its proposed petroleum drilling activity in the Great Australian Bight.

In accordance with the Environment Regulations, NOPSEMA will now commence its formal assessment of the plan, under which a proposed activity must be found to meet all legislative requirements to proceed. Through its assessment, NOPSEMA will consider potential environmental impacts from the proposed activity to ensure appropriate precautions are taken.

The regulatory assessment process is iterative, and it is normal for environment plans to move between the proponent and NOPSEMA throughout the assessment process.

For more information on Equinor’s proposed activity (including a map of the proposed operational area), and to subscribe to updates, go to: www.nopsema.gov.au

To ensure procedural fairness and natural justice, NOPSEMA does not comment on the specifics of plans and proposals under assessment.