Beach Energy consent granted with conditions
A Beach Energy Resources Holdings (Limited) application for a marine discharge consent in the Canterbury Basin has been granted, subject to conditions.
The consent was granted by a three-member Decision-making Committee appointed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Beach Energy applied for a consent to discharge trace amounts of harmful substances from the deck drains of a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit. Trace amounts of harmful substances are sometimes present in deck drainage after the clean-up of minor spills.
The consent relates to Beach Energy’s exploration and appraisal drilling programme within exploration permit PEP38264.
The committee found adverse effects on the environment will be negligible because of the small amount of harmful substance, the short-term duration of the proposed activity, and the characteristics of the marine environment the harmful substances will be discharged into.
The decision also notes there will be negligible effects on human health.