Australia鈥檚 energy security will be put at risk if decision-makers ignore the science of seismic surveys 鈥� a safe and proven technology that is critical for finding and developing new gas supply.
鈥淪eismic surveying is a strictly regulated technology that has unlocked Australia鈥檚 vast offshore gas resources and delivered reliable energy for millions of Australian homes and businesses for decades,鈥� Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said.
鈥淭he facts are that Australia鈥檚 future energy security will depend on continued exploration for new gas supply to 2050 and beyond.
鈥淭he legislation introduced in the Parliament today is aimed at stopping new gas projects, with no regard for the devastating impact on Australia鈥檚 economy and energy security.
鈥淎t a time when Australia is facing looming gas shortfalls we need energy policies backed by science and robust regulations, not ideology.鈥�
The Australian Government鈥檚 Future Gas Strategy confirmed that natural gas will remain an integral part of Australia鈥檚 energy mix to 2050 and beyond, and 鈥渨ithout future investment, there are real risks gas will become unaffordable and unavailable to Australian households and industry well before 2050鈥�.
鈥淎 recent independent report by EnergyQuest found that a halt to new gas investment would trigger 鈥榤ajor economic disruption鈥� on both coasts of Australia, leading to a high risk of blackouts, manufacturers closing and inevitably higher energy prices,鈥� Ms McCulloch said.
Modern seismic technology is used around the world to obtain high-quality data with minimal disruption to marine ecosystems.
The national independent regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority has also found that 鈥渟eismic surveys can be managed and regulated to ensure that they do not have serious, unacceptable impacts on the marine environment or marine fauna鈥�.