Chevron Seeks Approval in Australia for Gorgon Backfill Field Survey

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chevron Australia has submitted an environment plan to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for the next phase of site surveys at the Gorgon Gas Development project, located off the northwest coast of Western Australia.

The proposal is currently under review by NOPSEMA and has not yet been approved. The plan covers geophysical, geotechnical, and environmental surveys at the Chrysaor, Dionysus, and Chandon gas fields. These fields are part of the Gorgon Gas Development Backfill Fields Development. The backfill project aims to maintain supply to the existing gas processing plant on Barrow Island and sustain liquefied natural gas and domestic gas production as output from the current fields declines.

The Gorgon Gas Development began operations in 2015, with natural gas sourced from the Gorgon and Jansz-Io fields. The gas is transported via subsea pipelines to the Barrow Island gas processing plant, where it is processed for export as LNG or supplied to the Western Australian domestic market.

The proposed survey areas are located approximately 55 kilometers and 120 kilometers northwest of Barrow Island, at water depths ranging from about 125 meters to 1,370 meters. If approved, the surveys are expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, lasting approximately 4 to 6 months, and may be conducted in a single campaign or multiple phases. Chevron stated that the activities could be carried out at any time during the five-year approval period of the environment plan. The environment plan outlines the assessment and management of potential environmental impacts and risks associated with the proposed survey activities.