Collaborative Seismic Environmental Plan
Shell Australia has been a part of a Collaborative Seismic Environmental Plan (CSEP) for future seismic activities. The CSEP was submitted to NOPSEMA on 8 September 2022 and is now open for comment.
To participate in the comment process and download the Environment Plan, please visit the NOPSEMA website through this link.
The CSEP will allow for 2D, 3D and 4D seismic surveys within the CSEP Operational Area offshore north and western Australia which is within Commonwealth waters with the following restrictions:
- The total combined 2D seismic surveys conducted under the CSEP within the CSEP Operations Area will not exceed 50,000 survey line km per calendar year.
- The total combined size of the Acquisition Areas of any 3D or 4D seismic surveys, or survey phases, conducted under the CSEP within the CSEP Operations Area will not exceed 40,000 km2 in any calendar year.
- The Acquisition Area of any single 3D or 4D seismic survey, or survey phase, conducted under the CSEP within the CSEP Operations Area will not exceed 10,000 km2.
- Spatial and temporal exclusion zones will be implemented to manage potential impacts to commercial fishers, marine fauna and marine protected areas including the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.
If accepted, the CSEP will be valid for a period of at least five years and will enable consistent assessment of environmental impacts when applying for and conducting seismic acquisition activities in the CSEP operational area.
The consortium considers that the CSEP is a transformative initiative that ensures that Australia is an attractive location for investment into the seismic surveys that underpin new carbon storage, renewable energy and petroleum exploration and development.
