A marine seismic survey is a method used to map the subsurface of the ocean floor. It involves discharging a pneumatic sound source underwater to generate sound pulses that travel through the water and into the subsurface. The data collected from the survey is then used to create a map of the subsurface geology, which can be used for a variety of purposes such as oil and gas exploration, carbon capture, and environmental studies.

The survey has the potential to temporarily displace fish and other marine life from the survey area, which may temporarily impact the local fishing industry. However, measures will be taken to minimize the impact, such as conducting surveys during the time of year when fish are less likely to be in the area and implementing exclusion zones around fishing grounds. If exclusions zones cannot be accommodated, we will work with individual fishers to ensure they are no worse off because of the survey.

Most of the survey will be conducted far from the coast and will not impede the normal recreational activities such as boating and swimming. If our predictions of impact and risk show any residual harm to recreational marine users the risks will be clearly communicated, the vessels will be clearly marked, and any exclusion zones will be clearly marked and communicated to the public.

Marine seismic surveys have the potential to harm marine life if mitigation plans are not in place. Marine mammals, fish, and other marine fauna can be affected by the sound levels they are exposed to from a seismic survey. The sound generated by the survey can cause hearing loss or injury, as well as disturbance of feeding, breeding, and other essential behaviours. It is important to minimise the levels of sound input into the marine environment and manage sound impacts appropriately.

Measures to mitigate the impacts of the survey on marine life and their habitat include:

• Conducting the survey during a time of year marine mammals and fish are less likely to be in the area.
• Reducing the sound source to the lowest settings and reducing the number of times the sound source is activated.
• Implementing marine mammal and fish monitoring programs during the survey.
• Implementing exclusion zones around marine mammals and fish to minimize the potential for injury or harm.
• In-field monitoring of the ocean for the presence of marine life.
• Following strict guidelines as set by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).

The survey will provide valuable information about the subsurface geology of the ocean floor, which can be used for a variety of purposes such as oil and gas exploration, environmental studies, and natural resource management. Additionally, the survey will be conducted in compliance with strict environmental regulations and guidelines to minimize any potential impacts on the marine environment.

If you want to be consulted, you will need to provide us with contact details and an indication of your functions, interests or activities that may be affected by the proposed survey. Through the course of EP development, we will work with you to ensure the provision of sufficient information so you can make an informed assessment of the potential consequences of the activity to you. You will then need to provide feedback on the information provided and work with us to lessen or remove any consequences to you or your interests.

If you have been contacted by us and don’t want to be consulted as part of EP development, please tell us in writing that you wish to opt out of consultation and no longer want to be consulted for this activity. This decision can be reversed at any time. You can opt back into the consultation process by advising us in writing at any time.

CGG will attempt to contact you multiple times using multiple methods to gather your feedback. Your feedback is important to us, this is why we ask you to provide several contact methods.

Please share this website with them and encourage them to contact us.

There are several ways for people to get involved in the design and conduct of the Regia MSS. We have social media channels, a hotline, email, a monthly newsletter, surveys, an interactive map, and mobile number for texts. When you engage with us, we’ll work with you to select whether you should consult with us as a member of the public or as a ‘relevant person’ who is a mandatory consultee under Australian law with duties under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2006.

Community consultation is an important aspect of the marine seismic survey planning process. We will be reaching out to interested members of the community, through various means such as information sessions, social media, and webinars, to provide information about the survey and to gather feedback. Your input and feedback will be considered in the planning and execution of the survey.

Contact us using any of the contact points listed on the footer of this website.

The survey will be regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to ensure compliance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. This includes obtaining all necessary permits, conducting environmental assessments, and implementing a stringent set of control measures that manage our interactions with the environment below an acceptable level of impact.

The Australian Government requires petroleum and greenhouse gas (GHG) companies to conduct their activities in a manner that meets a high standard of environmental protection. The seismic industry's environmental record in Australia, particularly in offshore areas, has been exemplary. No offshore seismic survey proposal would be approved unless the highest environmental standards had been met.

Under Environment Regulations, an operator is legally required to submit an Environment Plan to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for public disclosure. Once accepted by NOPSEMA, an electronic version of the Environment Plan will be available on NOPSEMA’s website.

Environment Plans submitted for petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters are available on the NOPSEMA website at this link.

CGG is currently commissioning Klarite, a specialist environmental consultancy, to prepare a detailed Environment Plan for NOPSEMA using the best available science. If this is accepted, a permit may be granted to conduct the seismic survey under the conditions agreed to in the environmental plan.

CGG has had offices in Australia since 1983 and currently employs 24 people, in Perth. A leader in cutting-edge geoscience, we have a strong focus on innovation and a commitment to delivering the best sustainable solutions to our clients' energy challenges. We bring our clients a unique range of technologies, services and equipment designed to acquire extremely precise data and images of the Earth's subsurface. We also provide state-of-the-art services for analyzing that data and developing a deeper understanding of the subsurface for exploration, production and optimization of oil and gas reservoirs.

The Regia Marine Seismic Survey will be carried out by CGG Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, operating under Australia Business Number 70 081 777 755.

Geophysical surveys are acquired in two ways, either as a multi-client survey or as a proprietary survey. A proprietary survey is acquired by a single company using a geophysical contractor, over its area of interest only. Multi-client data is acquired by a geophysical company and covers a larger area of interest. The data is licensed to clients on a non-exclusive basis. In both cases the data is ultimately owned by the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Otway Basin has been producing hydrocarbons since the 1990’s and has seen the discovery of several gas fields. Since that time acquisition and processing technologies have advanced dramatically. New surveys allow us to apply new technologies to our understanding of the geophysics of an area. Additionally, the Regia MSS aims to survey an area where 3D geophysical data has not been acquired previously.