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BP must not be allowed to risk the Pristine Wilderness of the Great Australian Bight Whale Nursery



Video: Michael Petroff

BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd. (BP) plans to begin drilling for oil off the coastline of the Great Australian Bight in an Australian Marine Sanctuary. Their drill plan states the exact well locations have not been determined but are expected to range between 1,000 and 2,500 metres deep in an area located about 395 kilometres west of Port Lincoln and 340 kilometres south-west of Ceduna and will have environmental and economic impacts on marine reserves, whales, tourism and the fishing industry.

Since the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico, BP says, the oil and gas industry has developed significant capability to cap well blowouts,leading to a substantial reduction in the anticipated duration of uncontained hydrocarbon flow.  BP states, "Studies estimate that capping equipment can be mobilised and deployed to site within 35 days of a 'loss of well control' event occurring".

Bob Graham, Co-Chaiman, National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling states, "we found first that this was a totally avoidable accident. It was not an act of god, it was an act of men operating badly. Number two, that there was a culture within BP and much of the rest of the offshore oil and gas industry which put dollars above safety". (ABC Four Corners)

In its Oil Spill Modelling BP estimates that the earliest oil will reach shore in 21 days (near Esperence, Western Australia). That is 14 days of uncontrolled devistation to a coastal region that inhibits access from land and sea. With no oil spill response the 'Peak Oil Ashore' will occur 50 to 150 days after blowout. (Source: GAB Oil Spill Modelling)

Great Australian Bight whales
Southern Right whales in the Bight. Photo: The Adelaide Advertiser

Further, deterministic simulations for the summer season showed that the maximum amount of oil on the shoreline peaked at 810 tonnes after 86 days, with 227km of coastline impacted. This increased to a maximum of 240km of coastline after 100 days due to the remobilisation and re-deposition of oil on the shoreline due to wave action and tidal cycling.

Wilderness Society South Australia director Peter Owen said the company was, "desperately trying to open up a new oil drilling province while the world turns its back on the flailing fossil fuel industry".

"Pushing to expand the fossil fuel industry is the height of irresponsibility. We must rapidly transition out of fossil fuels to have any chance of providing our children with a liveable climate". . . Great Australian Bight


Southern Right Whales
Donate to Operation Jeedara and stop BP drilling for oil in the
Great Australian Bight.


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