The proposed Gemtree-A well (permit area WA-49-L) is in Commonwealth waters in the Barrow Sub-Basin, 142km off the Pilbara coast.
Woodside outlined in its application to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) that the proposed activity would involve drilling, formation evaluation and permanent abandonment of one well. The well will be drilled using a moored semi-submersible MODU.
The company further highlighted that two or three vessels would support the MODU during drilling activities, with the proposed drilling of the well expected to commence in the third quarter.
As part of the environment plan, Woodside addresses the potential environmental impacts from planned activities within the operational areas and any potential unplanned events that originate from within the area.
Woodside stated that a 500m petroleum safety zone, from which unauthorised vessels will be excluded, will be in place around the petroleum activities program location for the duration of the activities.
The proposed drilling of the exploration well is expected to take 50 days to complete, which is subject to change due to project schedule requirements, MODU/vessel availability, unforeseen circumstances and weather.
NOPSEMA advised that Woodside’s environment plan was currently under assessment.
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