Report

Oil or gas production in the Great Australian Bight

11 May 2017

© Commonwealth of Australia 2017
ISBN 978-1-76010-536-5

View the report as a single document - (PDF 1486KB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Committee membership (PDF 24KB)
List of abbreviations (PDF 17KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 255KB)

Referral and terms of reference
Conduct of the inquiry
Termination of BP's proposed exploratory program
Acknowledgement
Structure of the report
Oil and gas production and use in Australia
Prospectivity of the Great Australian Bight
Overview of the Great Australian Bight
Great Australian Bight Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Great Australian Bight marine environment
Regional population and industry profile
Current research and scientific knowledge

Chapter 2 - Regulatory framework for oil and gas exploration and production (PDF 436KB)

Offshore oil and gas approval and regulatory regime
Regulatory responsibilities
BP's proposed venture – process and status

Chapter 3 - Regulatory issues (PDF 116KB)

Ministerial oversight and decision-making expertise
NOPSEMA's environmental standards
Adequacy of consultation processes
Transparency of decision making
Enhancements to the regulatory framework

Chapter 4 - Effects of oil and gas exploration and production in the Great Australian Bight (PDF 234KB)

Economic impacts of oil and gas production
Environmental impacts

Chapter 5 - Environmental and economic impacts in the event of an oil spill (PDF 117KB)

Oil spill modelling
Economic impact in the event of an oil spill
Impact on Indigenous communities
Impact on the marine environment in the event of an oil spill

Chapter 6 - Capacity to prevent, and mitigate the effect of an oil spill (PDF 133KB)

Regulatory requirements
Titleholder strategies and response organisations
Concerns with the adequacy of oil spill response strategies
Concerns with the ability of proponents to prevent an oil spill
Lessons learnt from Deepwater Horizon

Additional comments from the Australian Greens (PDF 55KB)

Protection of the Great Australian Bight
Impacts of oil and gas exploration and production in the Great Australian Bight
Impacts of an oil spill in the Great Australian Bight
Regulatory regime
Royalties and revenue

Additional comments from Senators Back, Gallacher and Reynolds (PDF 145KB)

Introduction
Additional evidence Chapter 3 – Regulatory issues
Additional evidence Chapter 4 – Effects of oil and gas exploration and production in the Great Australian Bight
Additional evidence Chapter 5 – Environmental and economic impacts in the event of an oil spill
Additional evidence Chapter 6 – Capacity to prevent, and mitigate the effect of an oil spill
Senators' views
Protection of the Great Australian Bight
Economic benefits and energy security
Strength of regulatory regime
Long track record of safe exploration and production
Oil spill mitigation
Conclusion

Additional Comments from Senators Chisholm and Urquhart (PDF 22KB)

Consultation
Information provision
Comments

Additional Comments from Senator Nick Xenophon - Oil or gas production in the Great Australian Bight: A Precautionary Tale (PDF 20KB)
Appendix 1 - Submissions, additional information, tabled documents and answers to questions on notice (PDF 24KB)

Submissions

Appendix 2 - Public hearings (PDF 17KB)

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au