Offshore Geotechnical Investigations

GB Energy is planning to conduct offshore geotechnical investigations in the Project area starting in mid-2024 at the earliest. Geotechnical investigations are commonplace in the region, with a number of these conducted in the past five years for oil & gas, carbon capture & storage and offshore wind projects.

Geotechnical investigations are undertaken to evaluate the physical properties of soils, sands and rock layers on and beneath the seabed by using geotechnical equipment to recover samples, and are carried out using specialised vessels, which typically include a drilling derrick. The vessels must be able to remain stationary at a location without using anchors (this involves the use of dynamic positioning thrusters) and be able to withstand extreme sea states and weather conditions.

What activities take place during geotechnical investigations?

Grab sampling is used to take samples from the seabed surface and can be collected by a diver or remotely operated vehicle using a specialised vessel. A typical grab sampler will close around the sample and transport it to the surface for analysis and testing.

Cone penetration tests and borehole drilling are used to take detailed samples from various depths beneath the seabed and will require a suitable drilling unit. Typical drilling units include drill ships, seafloor drill rigs and jackup barges.

The recovered samples will initially be photographed and described on the vessel, before being securely packed and transported for laboratory analysis. The results will determine the suitability of the seabed and shallow geological conditions to support future infrastructure, including a drill rig for drilling operations, and the pipelines and subsea infrastructure for the development of the project.

The geotechnical vessel will be visible from shore and at night, the vessel will be lit up.

There are no seismic operations or activity associated with these geotechnical investigations.

Geotechnical Investigations Area

The geotechnical investigations will take place within GB Energy’s offshore title VIC/RL1(v), entirely within Victorian state waters (see map on following page). The survey will range from approximately 750 m to 4 km from the Golden Beach shoreline.

During the operation a 500 metre radius safety zone would be in place around the vessel to rpotect it and other localised marine traffic.

Refer to the location map below.

Environment Plan (EP)

An approved EP is required under the Victorian Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (OPGGS) Regulations 2021 prior to undertaking offshore petroleum activities.

GB Energy received approval from the Victorian Petroleum Regualtor for the geophysical and geotechnical (G&G) investigations in April 2019. The geophysical survey was completed in early 2020 but the geotechnical investigations were postponed due to COVID restrictions. This existing and approved G&G Investigations EP expired in mid-April 2024.

As such, GB Energy is developing a new EP specific to just these geotechnical investigations. The EP is a comprehensive document detailing the existing environment, potential impacts and risks of the activity, and describes how the geotechnical investigation will be conducted to manage, minimise or avoid environmental risks to be ‘ALARP’ (As Low As Reasonably Practicable).

All activities will be subject to industry best practice standards and will be undertaken in accordance with all applicable environmental and safety legislation and regulations.

Consultation for the geotechnical investigations EP

GB Energy welcomes your feedback on the proposed geotechnical investigations to ensure we consider all relevant impacts to the environment (which includes the physical, biological, social, heritage and economic environments, and associated values) within the EP.

To inform the preparation of the EP, consultation and feedback on the proposed geotechnical investigations will be open until the 24th May 2024. Consultation will continue after this time, but may not be incorporated into the EP submission.

Confidentiality of feedback

Under Regulation 19(b) of the OPGGS Regulations 2021, any feedback you provide regarding the EP must be made available in its entirety as par of the EP submission. This will not be made publicly available and is submitted as ‘sensitive information’ to Resources Victoria for the purposes of verifying that consultation has taken place.

Environmental Hazards

GB Energy has identified the potential impacts and risks to the environment that may result from the geotechnical investigations. A summary of these risks and key control measures is linked below (opens PDF file).

Identified Risks

Upcoming Events in 2024

GB Energy will hold a number of drop in community sessions locally to provide updates on upcoming operations and the overall project. The dates will be advertised on this website, in local newspapers and via local community groups. The next drop in sessions are planned for;

- Wednesday 8th May. Port of Sale, Wellington Centre Library (13:30 – 15:00)

- Thursday 9th May. Golden Beach Community Centre (17:30 - 19:30)

Further Information

Please feel free to contact GB Energy about any questions you might have in relation to the project, via email (info@gbenergy.com) or Freephone 1800 423 637