A visual assessment of the recovery of 3D seismic lines in the Cooper Basin, South Australia
Bridgette Doudy A and David Cockshell ADepartment of State Development, Government of South Australia
The APPEA Journal 56(1) 295-330 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ15023
Published: 2016
Abstract
This report examines the recovery rates of 3D seismic lines in the Cooper Basin, SA, 1992–2015. There are now more than 70,103 km of 3D seismic line in the Cooper Basin. There are a variety of impacts caused by seismic exploration, with the visual impact being the prime concern raised by stakeholders. The recovery rates of 3D seismic lines vary between differing land systems. Some land systems, such as dune and floodplain, are dynamic, while others, such as gibber plain, are less so.
A historical database consisting of 2,018 videos and photographs was used to score the visibility of seismic lines at various locations and times. A new methodology of visually scoring this data was created, using a scale ranging from 1 (the survey dominates the landscape) to 5 (the survey is no longer visible). Data analysis showed that seismic lines in dune land systems are likely to recover within seven years, seismic lines in floodplain land systems are likely to recover within eight years, and seismic lines in gibber plain land systems are likely to take 10–20 years to recover to a visibility score of 4 or 5. To arrive at a more accurate determination of seismic line recovery in salt lake, wetland and tableland land systems, more extensive data collection is recommended.
Bridgette Doudy is an Engagement Officer at the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), SA. Bridgette graduated from Flinders University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Environmental Management, and a particular interest in stakeholder engagement and environmental education. Bridgette also holds an Advanced Diploma of Advertising and Graphic Design, and has experience in digital art, magazine design and website advertising. In her previous position at DSD, Bridgette completed a large-scale research project that investigates the visual recovery rates of 3D seismic lines within the Cooper Basin, SA. Bridgette has a lifelong interest in environmental issues, which she has pursued through a variety of volunteering exploits in turtle breeding research, home permaculture, and facilitating community environmental events. dsd.petroleum@sa.gov.au |
David Cockshell completed his BSc (Hons) degree at the University of Adelaide in 1975, majoring in geophysics. He joined the SA Department of Mines and Energy in 1977 as a geophysicist. He is now the Director of Geophysical Operations for the Energy Resources Division within the SA Department of State Development. Dave has had experience with a wide range of geophysical techniques in the engineering, environmental, hydrological and petroleum fields. His expertise covers data acquisition and interpretation, as well as environmental management and petroleum and geothermal regulation. He provides policy advice on land access issues for the resource sector and represents the mining, petroleum and geothermal industries on the Great Australian Bight Marine Park and the SA Marine Parks Steering Committee. In his spare time Dave is a very active Rotarian. Dave has been a member of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists since 1977, and is a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia, and the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. |
