In the North-west Marine Region offshore from Western Australia (WA), the geophysical company Pathfinder Energy Pty Ltd (Pathfinder) proposes to acquire three-dimensional (3D) marine seismic surveys (MSS) within the Nightcap operational area. The Nightcap MSS operational area comprises ~30,720 square kilometres (km2), and 3D seismic acquisition is proposed in Exploration Permits WA-397-P, WA-447-P, WA-449-P, WA-466-P, WA-479-P, WA-487-P, WA-508-P, WA-509-P and adjacent open acreage areas including W16-4, W16-5, W16-6, W16-7 and W16-8.
At the closest point, the operational area is located ~210 km west of Broome on the mainland coast. The southeast corner is located >190 km northwest of Eighty Mile Beach and >70 km south of Scott Reef. The survey area is in close proximity to the Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) boundary (~4 km away). Located in WA State waters, the Rowley Shoals Marine Park is ~4 km to the west of the operational area. Water depths across the survey area range from ~80–1,300 m, with the deepest water depths situated in the northern half of the survey area. However, seismic activities will not occur in water shallower than 100 m.
In terms of technical methods and procedures, the proposed MSS is a typical 3D survey similar to most others conducted in Australian marine waters. No unique or unusual equipment or operations are proposed.