Origin Energy Resources Limited (Origin) is proposing to undertake a two‐dimensional (2D) marine seismic survey in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, in Commonwealth waters, offshore Northern Territory. The proposed survey is named “Gulpener 2D” and could potentially identify new gas reserves in Exploration Permit NT/P84. The permit location is approximately 165 km (88 nautical miles) south‐west of Darwin and 20 km (11 nautical miles) north‐north‐east of Port Keats (Wadeye) and 10 km (5.4 nautical miles) east of the Blacktip gas field. The exploration or ‘acquisition’ area of the survey is approximately 2,850 sq km and will require an operational buffer area of 10 km around the survey area. The water depth of the operational area varies between 0 metres (at low tide) to 70 metres, including reefs, shoals and banks. Waters become deeper to the north‐west with increasing distance from the coastline. The survey is scheduled to take place over approximately two to three weeks, during the period 1 March 2016 to 31 July 2017. The preferred timing of the survey is between 15 June 2016 and 31 July 2016, which is outside the Northern Prawn Fishery season and during optimal sea conditions. The exact timing will depend on environmental approvals, confirmation of contractor resources, ongoing stakeholder consultation and actual sea conditions in the lead up to the planned survey. In addition, a survey to map the sea bed (bathymetric survey) may be run approximately seven days prior to the seismic survey or just prior to seismic survey acquisition.