In 2018, National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) established an industry consortium to create a common framework for seismic exploration in northwestern Australia, known as the CSEP project.

Aims of the CSEP Project

• A Commercial Fishing Industry Adjustment Protocol to provide a standardized, evidence-based process to understand monetary adjustment to offset the loss of catch, gear damage/loss, and displacement of fishing effort in areas where fishing occurs at the same time as a seismic survey conducted under the CSEP
• A Spatio Temporal Protocol to provide guidance regarding the repetition of seismic activities within the CSEP area
• A single overarching approvals framework for seismic activities within the CSEP area
• A consistent assessment of environmental features, potential impacts, and management strategies for seismic activities within the CSEP area
• Improved understanding of potential cumulative impacts of seismic activities across the CSEP area

If approved, the common Environment Plan framework will be valid for a period of at least five years and will enable consistent assessment of environmental impacts when applying for and conducting seismic acquisition activities in the CSEP project area. The benefits of a successful project could include improved certainty for both fishing and energy industries, greatly reduced consultation burden for all stakeholders, and a strategic assessment of impacts across northern Australia.

Find Out More 

The CSEP was submitted to NOPSEMA on 8 September 2022 and is now open for comment. To participate in the comment process and download the Environment Plan, please visit the NOPSEMA website.