The Pluto 4D (time lapse) MSS survey is currently planned to commence in Quarter 4 2015, and is expected to take approximately 30 days to complete.
The Pluto 4D survey will acquire a broadband seismic volume to provide an accurate image of the Pluto reservoir and surrounds to observe changes in the reservoir due to hydrocarbon extraction and for future production well positioning.
 
SURVEY DETAILS
The proposed Pluto 4D MSS has a total survey area of about 780 km2, surrounded by a 15 km buffer making up a total Operational Area of approximately 3, 710 km2 . The Operational Area is within 150 km north-west of Dampier and 25 km north-west from the nearest shoreline, the Montebello Islands.
The 'survey area' is the vicinity within which the majority of seismic acoustic emissions will occur for the purposes of acquiring data. Additionally, within the 'Operational Area' the seismic source may be discharged at or below full capacity (power) for the purpose of run-outs, source testing and soft starts.
The proposed Pluto 4D MSS survey area is included within the Operational Area and covers petroleum permits WA-34-L, WA-350-P R1, WA-47-L, WA-46-L, WA-48-L, WA-49-L, WA-21-R, WA-23-R, WA-500-P, W14-14 and W14-20.
The proposed Pluto 4D MSS Operational Area covers the additional petroleum permits of WA-1-IL, WA-5-R, WA-427-P, WA-444-P, WA-15-R, WA-356-P and WA-253-P.
The actual survey commencement and duration will be dependent on survey vessel availability, operational constraints and prevailing weather conditions.
 
ACTIVITY SUMMARY
Seismic surveying is commonly used in the oil and gas industry to improve understanding of subsurface geology. For the Pluto 4D MSS, seismic data will be collected using a purpose-built seismic survey vessel towing dual acoustic source arrays and hydrophone cables, also known as streamers.
The acoustic emissions from the source arrays will be detected by the hydrophone cables and recorded onboard the seismic vessel. The reflected sound is then processed to provide information about the structure and composition of geological formations below the seabed to identify potential hydrocarbon reservoirs.
For the Pluto 4D MSS, the source arrays will have a total volume of less than 4,000 cubic inches and will be towed at a depth of 6 to 9 m. The vessel will tow up to 14 solid hydrophone streamers, which will be up to 7,000 m long, towed at a depth of up to 20m and the distance between the hydrophone streamers will be approximately 100m.
The seismic vessel will traverse the survey area in a series of pre-determined lines at a speed of approximately 7 to 9 km/h.
A support vessel will be present during the survey. Any vessels in the vicinity should keep well clear, particularly when the survey vessel is turning.