A green group yesterday called for BP’s application to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight to be rejected amid concerns a spill could cause widespread damage.
The Wilderness Society said BP’s own modelling report suggests sections of Australia’s southern coast could be threatened by a full-on, uncontrolled blowout.
The report looks at the potential responses available to BP in the event of a worst case scenario occurring.
Also yesterday, Australia’s offshore oil and gas authority, NOPSEMA, said it would take an extra 10 days to assess BP’s proposals.
BP, which intends to drill two exploration wells in the Bight, said it published the modelling report in the interests of transparency, and that it would be ready to act if a blowout occurs.
A spokesperson for BP said: “We don’t expect an oil spill – in fact we plan not to have one. But we also plan to be prepared in meticulous detail should one take place.
“The oil spill modelling shows that in the unlikely event of an oil spill that we need to be prepared to respond anywhere along the southern Australian coastline at any time, and we will be.”
But Peter Owen, a director at the Wilderness Society, said: “The impact would be truly devastating for marine life, birds, coastlines, fisheries, coastal communities and possibly anywhere along the southern Australian coast. The risks are too great.
“The modelling shows a 68-100% chance of a spill damaging the Kangaroo Island Pool, canyons, adjacent shelf break, and the Eyre Peninsula upwelling systems.
“It also admits that marine animals would have a high probability of contact with a toxic oil slick, including sperm whales, pygmy blue whales, Australian sea lions and seabirds.”