THE TECHNICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES OF DRILLING ON THE EDGE OF A NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Magellan Petroleum, operator of the Palm Valley Gas Field, successfully drilled the Palm Valley–11 (PV–11) gas development well situated on aboriginal land adjacent to the Finke Gorge National Park, Central Australia. The drilling site was located within the Palm Creek catchment area, an environmentally significant and internationally renowned area which feeds the rare and endangered red cabbage palm (Livistona mariae).

Although no commercial gas flow was encountered, the well was a success in terms of the technical, environmental and cultural heritage challenges faced during the 71-day drilling program.

Several mitigation measures not generally required in petroleum drilling operations were incorporated in the PV–11 Drilling Program and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

This paper describes the Commonwealth and Northern Territory approval processes required to ensure all risks were identified and addressed; the challenges of drilling the PV–11 well using under-balanced techniques in difficult conditions; and the mitigation measures adopted to address these challenges.