Dombey 3D geophysical survey

Winner: Environment, Resources sector

Beach Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company with a target to reduce equity emissions intensity from its operations by 35% by 2030.

The company is committed to engaging positively with local communities, providing local employment, supply chain opportunities, and partnerships with a range of clubs and organisations.

Beach Energy has developed an innovative approach to acquiring geophysical data, eliminating the need for clearing native vegetation and better protecting local wildlife habitats.

The method, using a unique combination of technologies and procedures, was implemented during the Dombey 3D Geophysical Survey near Penola in the Otway Basin. The survey, which took place in early 2022, aimed to identify future gas reserves to be drilled and connected back to the Katnook Gas Processing Facility, and designed in such a way to eliminate the need to clear any native vegetation, and to minimise or avoid clearing forestry.

The new approach to acquiring seismic data was implemented by the Beach team and joint venture partner, Cooper Energy.

The low-impact survey method meant there was minimal impact to landholders with no disturbance to properties, and reduced land clearing from as much as 150 Ha down to zero, whilst leading to improved data quality and lower costs.

This has flow-on effects for the native habitats of local wildlife including red-tailed black cockatoos.

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