Beach Energy looks for natural gas near Penola

Beach Energy looks for natural gas near Penola

Seismic surveying near Penola will start next month in a bid to identify potential natural gas reservoirs.

Beach Energy has announced it will start a Dombey 3D Seismic Survey in November, with the aim of “identifying potential natural gas reservoirs and boosting energy security for the South East”.

Beach’s regional manager Jon Conti said the area to be surveyed was located approximately 15km west of Penola, covering 165 square kilometres, and will be conducted over a 6-10-week period.

“The survey has been designed as a low footprint, low impact project and will be conducted under strict regulatory conditions,” Mr Conti said.

“Seismic surveys use special vibrating trucks to send soundwaves into the ground, which bounce back off different rock types underground, and are then detected by receivers back at the surface.

“Once the data in the receivers is collected, downloaded and processed, a three-dimensional image of the subsurface geology is produced, allowing engineers and geologists to target future drilling opportunities with greater precision.”

Mr Conti said Beach had undertaken an environmental evaluation of the survey area which included an assessment of the local ecology, to ensure the company meets its regulatory environmental objectives.

“The safety of our people and the local community, as well as the protection of the land, were key objectives of the seismic survey,” he said.

“Beach has 60 years of experience in undertaking these sorts of activities, and we are committed to doing so in a manner which is safe and sustainable.

“We also believe it is important to use local businesses to support our operations wherever we can – we have contracts with a number of local suppliers who will feed and accommodate a workforce of about 50 specialist workers over a three-month period.”

Last year, Beach released two key environmental reports outlining future seismic activities, both of which were approved by the South Australian Government following an extended period of community consultation.

“Over the past 18 months we have been speaking with landholders, regional stakeholders and the community about the project, which is important to ensuring future natural gas supply to the South East,” Mr Conti said.

More information is available online at beachenergy.com.au or by visiting the company’s shopfront on Church Street in Penola.

Why wait? Get more stories like this delivered straight to your inbox
Join our digital edition mailing list and stay up to date on the latest news, events and special announcements from across the Limestone Coast.

Your local real estate guide - every Thursday

spot_img

You might also like