3D Oil T49P Pty Ltd (3D Oil) is proposing to undertake the Flanagan 3D Marine Seismic Survey (MSS) in the Commonwealth waters of the Otway Basin, Tasmania.
The MSS area is located approximately 45km northwest of King Island (Tasmania), 45km southwest of Cape Otway (Victoria) and 70km south southeast of Port Campbell (Victoria) in Commonwealth Exploration Permit Area T/49P.
The Flanagan 3D MSS data acquisition area covers an area of approximately 1120 square kilometres and is located entirely within Commonwealth waters of the Otway Basin. It is expected the vessel will operate in a NE‐SW direction when acquiring seismic data and during acquisition will maintain a minimum distance of approximately 45km from each of the Victorian and King Island coastlines. MSS acquisition will be undertaken in water depths ranging from 70‐200m. Vessel turning areas (i.e. operational area) will be in water depths of approximately 70m to 1000m.
The activity will be undertaken by an experienced seismic contractor utilising a purpose‐built seismic vessel, towing equipment along a series of pre‐determined seismic lines within the survey area. The vessel will, while acquiring seismic, travel at an average speed of approximately 8–9 km/h (4–4.5 knots). As the vessel travels along the survey lines, a series of acoustic pulses, activated at approximately 18.75m or 25m intervals (approximately every 9‐11 seconds), will be directed down through the water column into the seabed via two source arrays. These acoustic pulses transmit through the subsurface; reflect at geological boundaries and transmit back to the surface where they are detected by sensitive hydrophones, arranged along a number of cables (streamers) towed behind the survey vessel.
The proposed Flanagan 3D MSS program is scheduled for 1st November to 31st December 2014 with the activity expected to take approximately 30 days. Commencement and completion dates depend on vessel availability/schedule and weather conditions. Seismic acquisition will be undertaken on a 24 hour, 7 days per week basis dependent on weather conditions and operational efficiency.
Note: This information has been extracted from the EP Summary. Please refer to the attached EP Summary for more information.