Challenges and lessons learned from environmental approvals for drilling in frontier offshore basins, using the Great Australian Bight as an example

Giulio Pinzone is the Director and Principal Environmental Consultant for Aventus Consulting Pty Ltd. Giulio has spent 17 years working in the areas of environmental impact assessment (EIA), management and auditing, with experience consulting to, and on staff with the upstream petroleum industry. This provides Giulio with the ability to not only undertake EIA using the insight of industry knowledge and experience, but also the practical experience to oversee environmental management in the field, whether this be for onshore or offshore drilling, pipeline installation, seismic surveying, or at a production platform or plant. Since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), Aventus has consistently been responsible for the preparation of ~6% of EPs submitted to the authority, giving Giulio great insight into the ever-changing offshore environmental regulatory regime. Giulio is a qualified Lead Auditor in the EMS Auditor Scheme (Exemplar Global) and has undertaken over 50 environmental compliance audits. A good working knowledge of the oil and gas industry ensures that he can ‘talk the talk’ with industry personnel and come to quick determinations of compliance or otherwise. Giulio prides himself on developing good working relationships with stakeholders, including government regulators, and understanding key environmental and resource legislation. Giulio derives a deep sense of job satisfaction in obtaining timely project approvals for his clients and values spending time in the field (e.g. auditing and site visits) to continually expand his industry knowledge and expertise.