Shell has submitted an environment plan for the drilling of an exploration well in the AC/P64 permit offshore Western Australia.
The well, named Bratwurst-1, will be located within the Northern Browse Basin in Commonwealth Waters with a water depth of approximately 155 meters.
Shell Australia plans to use a semi-submersible offshore drilling rig for the operation and is targeting gas/condensate.
If significant gas/condensate volumes are discovered during this campaign, there is a future potential for a tie-back to the giant Prelude FLNG unit where production started last month.
The Prelude facility is located approximately 160 km southwest of the approximate well location. Drilling is proposed to start as early as mid-2019.
Shell’s environment plan for the Bratwurst-1 is now under assessment with National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
NOPSEMA expects to come up with the decision on February 20, 2019.