Shell is seeking Federal Government environmental approval for a small 2D marine seismic survey off the North West Cape.
Subject to approvals the survey is planned to have a duration of around 12 days and to take place during the period from mid-November 2011 to the end of March 2012 – avoiding the humpback whale migration.
At closest point the survey will be around 25km from Ningaloo Reef. As detailed in environmental documentation Shell has elected that the 2D seismic survey will not come within a 10km buffer zone of the Ningaloo World Heritage Area.
The seismic survey is the final work commitment for permit WA-385-P in the current term.
In July 2011 Shell received environmental approval for the Palta-1 gas exploration well in adjacent permit WA-384-P.
[mappress] Source: Shell, September 12, 2011; Image: octanex