Offshore thing: flights search sea for Otway gas

As the debate about Australia’s energy future rolls on, the state government will take to the sky to map Victoria’s gas resources and open up offshore acreage in the otway basin.

Last week, Minister for resources tim Pallas announced at the International Mining and resources Conference that the state government will use aerial gravity surveying as part of the $42.5 million Victorian Gas Program, which will produce a clear picture of the state’s prospective onshore and offshore gas resources.

From 2018, airborne gravity data will be collected using a specially-equipped aircraft that will fly as low as 80 metres above the sea surface, allowing the aircraft to collect the highest quality data.

the data will then be used by geologists to detect rock structures deep inside the earth, while a gravity meter will help detect changes in gravity and rock density.

This aerial work will provide new geoscientific data to identify areas off the Victorian coast that are prospective for offshore gas.

Mr Pallas also announced plans to further strengthen offshore gas exploration – specifically in the otway geological basin – by advancing plans to release offshore areas for commercial exploration next year.

this will include the release of 18,000 square kilometres of new offshore acreage within Victorian waters, an expanse the equivalent of 10 times the size of Port Phillip.

Discussions with industry are imminent and the release will help promote more commercial gas exploration and development before the end of next year.

“the Victorian Gas Program is using the very best technology and research methods to get the clearest possible picture of the state’s gas resources,” Mr Pallas said.

Created alongside the ban on unconventional gas in Victoria, the Victorian Gas Program is also carrying out scientific, technical and environmental studies on the risks, benefits and impacts of onshore conventional gas while the moratorium is in place until June 30, 2020; as well as investigating the opportunities for further underground gas storage in the onshore otway geological basin.