AUSTRALIA’S biggest land-based drill rig is on the move to Beach Energy’s Dombey-1 site to break ground as the energy giant starts gas flaring this weekend to test for gas at Haselgrove-4.
Flames are expected to reach heights of 30 metres, prompting Beach Energy regional manager Jon Conti to reassure the community there was no need to worry about the planned testing.
Mr Conti said the company would use two flare sticks to reduce the community impact.
“Motorists going past and local landholders could expect a bright white light in the evening, however we have taken steps to try and minimise the visual impact on the local area,” he said.
“We are aware the sound can be quite loud.
“Following Haslegrove-3 we did some noise modelling and do not expect the sound to be heard even from the highway.”
Mr Conti said light from the tests would be visible, particularly during evenings with low cloud coverage.
In another development for Beach, the drilling rig has been transferred to the Dombey-1 well site where the company will soon prepare to break ground.
Mr Conti said Dombey-1 well will not be as deep as Haselgrove-4 and is expected to take around eight weeks to drill.
“Following that we will see the results, because exploration always carries a risk that we may not be successful,” he said.
“However the geologists and geophysicists have mapped the area and the potential size.”
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chairperson Angus Ralton slammed the flaring as “economically wasteful” and “environmentally harmful.”
“It adds to the global carbon monoxide burning and with the Australian Medical Association coming out yesterday and officially accepting the health risks of climate change we stand with them and call on our government to promote an active transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy,” he said.
“Gas is not a transition fuel.
“It is just another dirty fossil fuel which also damages our clean green image for tourism and agriculture.
“We need to protect our region from the fossil fuel industry to protect the rights of farmers and to protect the existing industries we have within our region.”
Earlier this month, the environmental activist group addressed Wattle Range Council, as well as local government representatives across the region, on a range of mining issues.
Mr Conti said Beach Energy fielded phone calls from elected members “questioning the industry.”
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower said elected members who question the gas industry show positive signs of interest in common issues throughout the region.
“Elected members showing interest in local issues is a positive representation of them trying to understand the community’s thoughts and concerns,” he said.
“Council has not yet made a decision on whether it will sign the open letter which I believe is the main reason behind the questions posed to Beach Energy.”
