A SEISMIC testing survey off the coast of Newcastle will go ahead on Sunday, according to Asset Energy.
The vessel contracted to start the survey is due to arrive in Newcastle in coming days. Installation of the seismic testing and associated equipment will then be undertaken in port.
The Sunday start date is later than expected after the vessel became stranded on its trip from Queensland to Newcastle due to tropical cyclone Iris.
The survey is anticipated to take about three to four days, and will be undertaken 30 kilometres southeast of Newcastle. A tie line to the New Seaclem-1 exploration well site, approximately 50 kilometres northeast of the main survey area, will also be undertaken for geological calibration of survey data.
The testing, which was opposed by the state government but approved by the federal regulator, had been due to start on April 9.
The plan to shoot acoustic pulses into the ocean floor in search of gas deposits has been criticised in recent months by the NSW Greens and the Professional Fishermen’s Association, who fear the project could have negative impacts on wildlife in the area.
But the company maintains its practices are environmentally safe.
The ship’s imminent arrival follows a rally where about 100 protesters chanted “whales not gas”, calling for the planned survey to be aborted during a march along Newcastle Foreshore.
