Net community benefits and seismic line remediation – a case study

Abstract

Petroleum Group of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) conducted an audit of seismic lines within Petroleum Exploration Licenses (PELs) 5 & 6 in 1999, to assess their condition upon expiry of these licenses. A significant number of seismic lines located in gibber plains and residual tablelands to the north of Innamincka were identified as being in poor condition, particularly in regard to active erosion. Maps were produced from low-level aerial videography of more than 1200 kilometres of seismic lines that enabled detailed assessment of the amount of seismic lines in poor condition. Physical rehabilitation of windrows or erosional gullies would be unlikely to make a significant improvement to the impacted lines. Rather than wasting money and effort by forcing Santos to undertake any physical remediation, PIRSA, Santos and NPWS agreed that funding of other environmental projects in the Innamincka Regional Reserve would provide a better net benefit to the local environment. The Santos has set up a fund for a range of environmental projects within the Innamincka Regional Reserve. In return the Government agrees that no further rehabilitation of the lines will be required. As part of the process, PIRSA undertook a risk assessment to ensure that the level of any such risk is acceptable.