ConocoPhillips granted approval for offshore gas drilling

CONOCOPHILLIPS has been granted approval to drill for gas off the coast of western Victoria, in an area that overlaps with a separate seismic blasting proposal by energy company CGG.

The approval comes amid debate over offshore gas expansion, with community groups and environmental advocates calling for a moratorium on seismic blasting.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) approved ConocoPhillips’ Environment Plan on February 28.

The company stated its Otway Basin exploration drilling program aimed to identify gas reserves to support Australia’s energy needs.

“Gas is expected to be used to support the transition of the electricity market as a firming generation source to support renewable energies,” a ConocoPhillips spokesperson said.

“In Victoria, new natural gas supplies are essential to meet both current and future energy needs, ensuring reliable power generation, industrial processes, and residential heating.

“Forecasts indicate that the east coast gas market may experience gas supply shortfalls unless new sources of supply are made available.”

Opponents argue new gas projects are unnecessary and harmful to marine life.

Greens candidate for Corangamite Mitch Pope said the project ignored community concerns.

“This approval of the ConocoPhillips gas drilling project threatens our ocean and marine life. It goes against the concerns of communities right around our country and it denies the science of the climate crisis,” he said.

“We export almost 80 per cent of our gas, and the big gas corporations pay almost no tax and royalties on profits made from a resource that is owned by the public.”

Australian Marine Conservation Society fossil fuels campaign manager Louise Morris rejected claims that new gas projects were necessary.

“There is no gas shortage in Australia. It is a false narrative created by gas cartels who make a killing by exporting gas, and then making Australians pay through the nose for the dregs at the bottom of the barrel.”

ConocoPhillips maintains the project complies with strict environmental regulations and is not located within biologically important areas for southern right whale breeding.

A Seismic Shift: End Seismic Blasting event will take place at Logans Beach Whale Lookout in Warrnambool on March 29 at 1pm.

The event, organised by environmental groups and local communities, calls for a moratorium on seismic blasting and an end to new offshore gas approvals.