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The Norwegian-based oil and gas company Statoil has announced plans to drill an exploration well in the Great Australian Bight by the end of October 2019 – a move that Greenpeace says presents a catastrophic risk and should be rejected.
The company. which is majority owned by the Norwegian government. has signed an agreement to take over two exploration permits from BP for work in the Bight and has also given up its 30% equity in two other licences held by BP.
The plans for drilling are likely to face strong opposition from environmental groups due to fears any potential oil spill could damage the delicate marine ecosystem. which is a breeding ground for the Southern Right Whale.
Greenpeace says Norway’s oil regulator recently criticised Statoil’s safety record and it could not be trusted to drill in the Great Australian Bight.
“Statoil has come under scrutiny for a worsening safety record. including a doubling of the volume of oil spills from their Norwegian wells last year and fourteen major safety incidents in the past eighteen months.” said Greenpeace Campaigner. Jonathan Moylan.
