In conjunction with geophysical and geochemical surveys currently being acquired by its sister company Searcher Seismic, Ecosscope is acquiring environmental baseline data in the Gulf of Papua.
Ecosscope and project partners Blue Ocean Monitoring and Gardline Marine Sciences deployed an autonomous subsea glider to collect information on the environmental and oceanographic conditions in the Gulf.
The glider is conducting a dive campaign, relaying data in near real-time to the survey vessel and onshore personnel. While principally targeting subsea seeps, the glider is collecting water column data on hydrocarbon content, chlorophyll, dissolved organic matter, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, water depth and currents.
The data is being analysed and interpreted by specialist scientists in Perth.
The approach taken during the current surveys is to collect important background environmental data concurrently with early-phase exploration. Coupled with proprietary bathymetric, oceanographic and sediment information acquired previously, this new environmental baseline data should assist companies working in the Gulf of Papua to plan their activities, obtain regulatory approvals and monitor compliance, Ecosscope explained.