(Adelaide Now, Australia)
Whale count paves way for Bight oil hunt off SA
by: Belinda Willis From: The Advertiser January 31, 2012 12:00am
(PHOTO: A blue-whale pod off Cape Nelson, near Portland. Sightings of blue whales were made during aerial surveys for Bight Petroleum in waters between Ceduna on the west coast of South Australia and Port Fairy in Victoria. Picture: Bob McPherson)
(PHOTO: Bight Petroleum chief operating officer Iain MacDougall.)
AERIAL surveys funded by Bight Petroleum have recorded 17 blue-whale sightings off southern Australia.
Bight Petroleum chief operating officer Iain MacDougall said the information would be used to help the company plan its exploration activities about 100km offshore from Eyre Peninsula.
Three aerial surveys this summer, undertaken by Portland-based researchers Blue Whale Study, have covered waters between Ceduna on the west coast of South Australia and Port Fairy in Victoria.
Bight was granted two exploration permits in the Eastern Bight Basin last year and Mr MacDougall said it had revised its forward plan to start a 3D seismic survey of the zone during the summer of 2012-13.
"We think it's one of the very much under-explored areas, only nine wells have been drilled in this area to date," he said.
He compared this to many more being drilled in the North Sea until oil was found.
Mr MacDougall said operating in calmer summer months would help manage on-board safety of survey ships.
A summer exploration program would avoid key migration times, particularly of the southern right whale that occurs during winter, he said.
Once the surveys are completed, the company will work through regulatory approvals, with hopes of drilling an exploratory well in 2014-15.
Dr Peter Gill, who heads Blue Whale Study Inc, said three surveys, covering more than 5000km, had led to 17 blue whales being identified.
"The eastern Bight is a very important habitat in some seasons," he said.
Mr MacDougall said most were spotted to the south of Kangaroo Island. The next survey flight is scheduled for early February.
Bight Petroleum is the wholly owned Australian unit of Canada-based explorer Bight Petroleum Corp.
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