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.