Big Oil Big Bight
The Great Australian Bight is a pristine coastline, targeted by the oil and gas industry as a new opportunity for the potential discovery of fossil fuels. While proponents of the industry base their argument on what they say is an ongoing need for fossil fuels providing strong economic benefits others say the conservation values make the Great Australian Bight too sensitive to industrialise.
The Great Australian Bight is an important breeding and feeding ground for a range of marine species, 80% of which are only found here. It is an important calving and mating area for the endangered Southern Right Whale and the threatened Australian Sea Lion.
For the Mirning people the Great Australian Bight is one of the most important cultural and heritage sites and has provided them with a way of life that spans thousands of years.
The Great Australian Bight currently contributes over $400 million in revenue from the South Australian Fishing industry. Tourism is also a valuable contributor to the South Australian economy with a combined $1.2 billion estimated from the Yorke, Eyre and Fleurieu Peninsulas, Kangaroo Island and the Limestone Coast. All of which could be potentially impacted by a well blow-out like the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster.
Buna Lawrie with protestors campaigning to save the Bight from Oil at Glenelg Beach.
British Petroleum (BP) and Norway’s Statoil aim to conduct exploratory drilling in October 2016. Santos, Chevron, Exxon and Bight Petroleum are also lease holders. If successful the BP/Statoil exploration will open the door to the industrialisation of the Great Australian Bight. BP has now been asked by the national regulator NOPSEMA to resubmit its environment plan. The company has until July 15 to do this.
UPDATE: In October 2016 BP announced it was pulling out of exploration projects in the Great Australian Bight but since then its partner, Statoil has resolved to continue to seek approval to drill exploratory wells in this high risk area. For the Clean Bight Alliance and the Wilderness Society, the fight continues. If you want to help save the Bight contact your local Wilderness Society here.