EXPLORATION, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Abstract

BHP Petroleum practice is to undertake a comprehensive environmental management program for exploration activities in environmentally sensitive areas. The planning for the exploration program in the Otway and Duntroon Basins is presented as a case study.

BHP Petroleum's exploration activities in the Otway Basin, offshore Victoria, have been the subject of community debate as a result of the perceived effects on sensitive environmental values. The environmental management program undertaken for this exploration project included:

a community consultation and information program;

development of a geographic information system (GIS) recording a range of environmental and logistical (spill response) information;

a whale research program; and

formulation and implementation of an environmental management plan.

This program and the issues it is designed to address has been an education for the Company, the community and government agencies.