Chevron plans 4D survey offshore Australia

Chevron is planning a 4D marine seismic survey (MSS) over production licences WA-46-L, WA-47-L and WA-48-L in the Wheatstone and Iago gas fields in Commonwealth waters north of Barrow Island, Western Australia.

The 4D MSS aims to repeat the acquisition of the 3D MSS conducted over the same area in 2011-2012, as part of a monitoring program. The 4D MSS is scheduled to occur between mid-December 2023 and mid-April 2024, subject to vessel availability, and is expected to take ~75 days to acquire. While the seismic and support vessels may mobilise to the operational area during December 2023, seismic acquisition will not commence before 1 January, 2024. Seismic acquisition will be conducted 24 hours a day.

The Full Power Zone for the 4D MSS defines the area where the seismic source will be discharged at full power. The Full

Power Zone extends over ~1,644 km2 in water depths that range from ~60 m to 1130 m. The operational area extends over ~3730 km2 and in water depths that range from ~50 m to 1250 m. The operational area is situated ~30 km from the Montebello Islands and ~119 km from the mainland.

An environmental plan has been submitted to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority.