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Activity - Wheatstone Deep-1 Exploration Drilling

Activity details
Organisation Chevron Australia Pty Ltd
Project
Activity types Drilling
In-force EP 7811
Submission date 12 April, 2024
Outcome Accepted
Acceptance date 19 December, 2024
Locations North West
Start date Pending titleholder notification
Stop date Pending titleholder notification
Lifecycle Classification Exploration
Please note: activity start and stop dates are based on notifications provided by the titleholder.

Titleholder contact
Ian Nott
Phone: 08 9216 4000

Activity Description
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd is planning to conduct exploration drilling within the Northern Carnarvon Basin off the northwest coast of Western Australia between 2024 and 2025.

The proposed Wheatstone Deep-1 exploration well is located within production licence WA-47-L in Commonwealth waters, ~175 km northwest of Dampier Port and ~65 km north-northwest of the Montebello Islands. The proposed exploration well is targeting a gas reservoir.

The proposed petroleum activity includes drilling, formation evaluation, and well abandonment. Exploration drilling activities will be undertaken by a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU). Vessels will also be used during the petroleum activity for various support functions. A 500 m safety exclusion zone will be requested around the MODU for the duration of the activity.

Formation evaluation includes standard data acquisition methods (no use of vertical seismic profiles are planned). Once the exploration drilling activities are complete, the Wheatstone Deep-1 well will be permanently plugged and abandoned, and any property (e.g. wellhead) above the mudline will be removed.

The petroleum activity is estimated to take ~50 days to complete. However, this duration is indicative and subject to potential operational delays (e.g. caused by weather conditions). Activities may be conducted 24 hours/day and 7 days/week.

This Environment Plan documents the assessment and management of potential environmental impacts and risks associated with the Wheatstone Deep-1 exploration drilling activities in Commonwealth waters.
Location map (click to enlarge)
Location map - Activity: Wheatstone Deep-1 Exploration Drilling (refer to description)

Accepted EP Documents

EP Document A1152228 (15.6 MB)
OPEP Document A1152229 (2.63 MB)
OSMP Document A1152234 (19 MB)
NOPSEMA Report A1165384 (220 KB)

Related EP assessments

7811 (Click to view)

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