Proceedings launched against Barossa offshore gas pipeline

Offshore staff

ADELAIDE, Australia — Santos has come up against a further hurdle to its Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea.

The Environmental Defenders Office has initiated proceedings on behalf of Simon Munkara, a member of the Jikilaruwu clan. Santos said that while it respects the cultural heritage of the Tiwi people and understands that there are a range of views about Barossa, it will defend the proceedings vigorously.

NOPSEMA, the Australian regulator, approved the Environment Plan (EP) for the offshore gas export pipeline installation in March 2020.  Santos said it had complied at all times with the applicable regulations and requirements and that NOPSEMA had monitored that compliance.

It refutes the allegations in the application that there are significant environmental impacts or risks to submerged Tiwi cultural heritage.

Santos added that assuming the pipelay is completed this year, and drilling activities start before the end of the year, its guidance on the project’s cost and schedule remain unchanged. However, if any injunction is granted, the company will need to assess any impact on the schedule and cost.

The export pipeline route runs from the Barossa gas field 262 km offshore along a narrow underwater corridor. The pipeline, with a maximum diameter of 86 cm, will traverse water depths ranging from 33-254 m, with no planned excavation of the seabed along the route.

At its closest point to land, Santos added, the pipeline will be more than 7 km offshore from Bathurst Island in Commonwealth waters where the water depth is about 70 m.

As stipulated by NOPSEMA this January, the company says it appointed an independent specialist to conduct an assessment to identify any underwater cultural heritage sites along the Barossa pipeline route to which people may have spiritual and cultural connections that may be affected by the planned activities.

NOPEMA confirmed the appointee was a suitably qualified independent consultant, with further information provided by Tiwi people underwater cultural heritage specialist Wessex Archaeology, and another concerning the geology and sedimentology of the Arafura Sea.

The consultant, having obtained information from about 170 Tiwi Island people with cultural connections to the sea area and analyzed relevant archaeological and anthropological literature and studies, concluded there are no specific underwater cultural heritage places along the pipeline route that might be impacted by future activities covered by the EP.

Santos said it would continue to engage with communities, land councils and First Nations people as it fulfils activities in accordance with the EPs accepted by NOPSEMA.

10.31.2023