Browse

Total has filed an application to drill three exploration wells next year in the Browse basin off Australia’s North West coast. Total will drill the three wells on exploration permit WA-408-P, and 475 kilometres north of Broome. The three wells will be called Astrolabe, Crozet and Dufresne are being set to target Jurassic Plover with depths up to approximately 5000 metres below the seabed. Each well will be permanently plugged and abandoned and subsea equipment removed following the completion of each drilling campaign.
The company named six species each of whales and turtles that may pass through the area but said that none of these were likely to be affected. “The nearest turtle nesting site is 60 kilometres away at Browse Island and thus artificial lights or vessel activity will not affect the reproductive cycle of this listed turtle species,” Total stated.