Torosa South Appraisal Drilling

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Referrals

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, Woodside has submitted two referrals to the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), for proposed appraisal wells in the southern portion of the Torosa gas field, located in the Browse Basin, approximately 425km north of Broome in Western Australia.

Torosa South Initial Appraisal Drilling Campaign

The first referral, in June 2007, proposed up to three appraisal wells from a maximum of two different locations. Woodside anticipates that these wells will be drilled sometime in the period from February 2008 to the end of December 2009, depending on rig availability.

Each well is expected to take 65 days to drill and 15 days for well testing, if required, giving up to 80 days per well.

All of the appraisal wells will be located in Commonwealth waters and will assist with the appraisal of the southern portion of the Torosa gas field.

The DEW referral document and the analysis of the drilling rig options conducted by Woodside are available for download below.

EPBC Act Referral
Torosa South Appraisal Drilling Alternatives Analysis

The DEWHA have advised that this is a controlled action and requires approval by the Minister for the Environment before it can proceed. The level of assessment has been set at "Preliminary Documentation", as advertised on the EPBC Act website.

Torosa South-1 Appraisal Well

Woodside is proposing to drill one pilot appraisal in Commonwealth waters at the Torosa South-1 location, using the Wilcraft jack-up rig. Drilling is planned to commence in April 2008 and will be completed prior to 20 July 2008. The well is being drilled as a pilot in advance of further appraisal drilling to gather critical sub-surface information and to confirm the southern extent and performance of the Torosa gas field.

A referral was submitted to the DEWHA for approval under the EPBC Act. This referral included Supplementary Documentation outlining the potential impacts and associated mitigation and management measures to support the referral.

The activity was deemed a “not controlled action”, if undertaken in a particular manner. More information, including the decision instrument and particular manner conditions that apply to the drilling activity, are available on the EPBC Act website.

Woodside has committed to completing the drilling using best-practice drilling techniques, including recovery and containment of all cuttings and drilling mud for disposal at a deep water location where studies show no impact on Scott Reef.

A monitoring programme is being implemented to assist with ensuring management and mitigation measures are effective. Studies will also be undertaken to assist with impact assessment of further drilling activities associated with development of the Torosa gas field.

Woodside welcomes feedback on this activity and any other element of the Browse LNG Development.  Your comments or requests for further information can be provided via the feedback form.