Esso has developed this Environment Plan (EP) to manage the environmental impacts and risks associated with plug and abandonment (P&A) of the 21 platform wells and five subsea wells, to be completed by a Jack-Up Rig at 12 locations in the Gippsland basin. The subsea wells are located at the Marlin-1, Whiptail-1A, Mulloway-1, Halibut-1 and East Pilchard-1 well sites, while the platform-based wells are at the Bream B platform and Perch and Dolphin monotower platforms.
The scope also includes conductor driving activities at the Marlin B platform utilising a pile driving rig, as well as potential geotechnical activities at the Bream Subsea Exploration wells, Bream-2, Bream-3 and Bream-5 locations.
The P&A campaign will take place in Production Licences VIC/L01, VIC/RL1, VIC/L03, VIC/L05, VIC/L09, VIC/L13, VIC/L14, VIC/L15, and VIC/L17 (as shown in the location map), located at the edge of the Gippsland Basin of the eastern Bass Strait.
Activities will all be undertaken within and nearby the Bass Strait Area To Be Avoided (ATBA).
The activity is due to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024 with the earliest date of arrival expected to be 1 October 2024 with an estimated total program duration of approximately 12-16 months with the expected completion at the start of 2026. Therefore, pending timing of EP acceptance, the EP will be valid for three years (2024, 2025 and 2026).