The CarbonNet Project (CarbonNet) is preparing to drill an offshore appraisal well (OAW) in Bass Strait. The OAW will provide CarbonNet with information about the properties of the rock layers below the seabed, and confirm the site is suitable for carbon storage Approach and equipment CarbonNet plans to drill an offshore appraisal well (OAW) in Commonwealth waters in Bass Jack-up drill rigs are typically used to drill Strait in late 2019/early 2020. An wells in water depths less than 100 m. They Environment Plan (EP) for this activity is consist of a buoyant hull fitted with three being prepared for regulatory approval. movable legs. To position the jack-up drilling rig: What does the drilling involve? The rig will be towed into location by Drilling the OAW will involve the use of a support vessels; jack-up drill rig. Drilling operations are expected to take between 45 and 60 days to The legs will be lowered to the complete. seabed; While the rig is on location there will be a Once the legs have been lowered, the 500m exclusion zone in place for marine hull will be elevated out of the water safety purposes. This area will be gazetted allowing drilling operations to commence; and a map showing the exact location will be and communicated to stakeholders prior to rig At the end of drilling operations, the legs mobilisation. are raised, allowing the rig to be towed OAW drilling will be managed by AGR away. (Australia) Pty Ltd (AGR) as the Drilling CarbonNet is currently evaluating the Management Contractor for CarbonNet. AGR availability of drill rigs for this activity. Further has drilled over 40 wells in Australia and 530 information on the contracted drilling rig will globally. be made available when known, as part of ongoing consultation. Why is drilling necessary? Drilling results in the generation of cuttings The OAW will enable the collection of rock (ground up rock) and muds. These cuttings core samples from the proposed carbon and muds will disperse during drilling. Drill storage reservoir. Core samples will provide cuttings and muds dispersion and deposition further insights into the properties and modelling will be undertaken to inform the formations of the rock layers below the environmental impact assessment in the EP. seabed and confirm its suitability to store carbon dioxide.
The CarbonNet Project (CarbonNet) is preparing to drill an offshore appraisal well (OAW) in Bass Strait. The OAW will provide CarbonNet with information about the properties of the rock layers below the seabed, and confirm the site is suitable for carbon storage CarbonNet plans to drill an offshore appraisal well (OAW) in Commonwealth waters in Bass Strait in late 2019/early 2020. An Environment Plan (EP) for this activity is being prepared for regulatory approval. What does the drilling involve? Drilling the OAW will involve the use of a jack-up drill rig. Drilling operations are expected to take between 45 and 60 days to complete. While the rig is on location there will be a 500m exclusion zone in place for marine safety purposes. This area will be gazetted and a map showing the exact location will be communicated to stakeholders prior to rig mobilisation. OAW drilling will be managed by AGR (Australia) Pty Ltd (AGR) as the Drilling Management Contractor for CarbonNet. AGR has drilled over 40 wells in Australia and 530 globally. Why is drilling necessary? The OAW will enable the collection of rock core samples from the proposed carbon storage reservoir. Core samples will provide further insights into the properties and formations of the rock layers below the seabed and confirm its suitability to store carbon dioxide. Approach and equipment Jack-up drill rigs are typically used to drill wells in water depths less than 100 m. They consist of a buoyant hull fitted with three movable legs. To position the jack-up drilling rig: The rig will be towed into location by support vessels; The legs will be lowered to the seabed; Once the legs have been lowered, the hull will be elevated out of the water allowing drilling operations to commence; and At the end of drilling operations, the legs are raised, allowing the rig to be towed away. CarbonNet is currently evaluating the availability of drill rigs for this activity. Further information on the contracted drilling rig will be made available when known, as part of ongoing consultation. Drilling results in the generation of cuttings (ground up rock) and muds. These cuttings and muds will disperse during drilling. Drill cuttings and muds dispersion and deposition modelling will be undertaken to inform the environmental impact assessment in the EP.
CarbonNet-offshore-appraisal-well-information-sheet.docx