Bight Petroleum moves to have controversial oil project off Kangaroo Island to be considered under new system


The proponent of a controversial oil exploration project off South Australia's Kangaroo Island has become the first offshore operator to have their proposal considered under a new approval process.

Bight Petroleum announced the move soon after the new federal approval system, which removes the federal department from the process of approving offshore oil and gas operations, came into operation.

From Friday, the federal approvals for offshore oil and gas projects became the sole responsibility of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPEMA).

Since the change the company has announced plans to conduct seismic testing in a 3,000 square kilometre area between Kangaroo Island and the Eyre Peninsula would go to NOPEMA.

"Bight Petroleum having not yet received approval under the old system, decided to withdraw its EPBC Act Referral 2013/6770, to enable the Company to apply for approval under the new amended regulations," the company says on its website.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare is campaigning against the seismic surveys arguing that it is poses a threat to whale populations.

Marine campaigner Matthew Collis says the project is now out of public view.

"We have seen large levels of community opposition, thousands of people contacting the Minister for the Environment," he said.

"Now those voices no longer have any means of being heard because there is no longer any practical public comment mechanisms for seismic surveying under this new regime."

Mr Collis says the federal department has a process to invite public comment on exploration projects, but now individuals may have to contact oil and gas companies directly.

Bight Petroleum has not responded to ABC's request for comment but in the past has denied the tests pose any risk to marine life.

Fears public concerns will not be considered

South Australian Greens Senator Penny Wright is also concerned about the environment department no longer being involved.

She says she is worried that public concern at potential effects on the marine environment would not be considered by the authority.

"Our concern is that the community may no longer have any ability to influence the outcome and it's crucial for Kangaroo Island that their voices are heard on this matter," she said.

However, the local state Liberal MP Michael Pengilly dismissed the concerns.

"There has been a lot of public consultation over the last couple of years and I'm sure that will be taken into consideration by the federal authority," he said.

It is the second time Bight Petroleum has withdrawn the application to the Federal Environment Minister.

The first time was last year when the Federal Government delayed its decision on the exploration by ordering a full environmental impact assessment.

Bight resubmitted the plan, amending the timing of the seismic surveys, and that application has now been taken off the Minister's desk.

The new regulatory streamlining of offshore oil and gas projects, the "one-stop shop" approval system, was initiated by the former Labor government and completed by the current government.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-02/oil-and-gas-company-jumps-to-new-approval-...

Abbott wants to attack so called green tape which is double speak for environmental protection. And that is what has happened in South Australia.

ArmPit gets it wrong.

The seismic exploration work can lead to whales beaching themselves.

Be much better to explore options for offshore wind energy.

Well, the OP was by Greenswin so you have to make allowances.

But allowing seismic exploration can bugger up whales navigation so they end up beaching themselves. If oil is found and there is a spill—bye bye whales.

Around KI tho is some of the best wind energy—generate power forever. Minor players like Bight would be better off selling assured amounts of electricity than spending tons of money into a mostly futile search for oil which they will have to sign away most of the field to get the money to build production platforms, pipelines etc.