About the application

Application: Five-year review of the Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO) for Drilling, Completion and Well Production Testing in the Otway Basin, South Australia

Applicant: Beach Energy Limited

Purpose:
Beach Energy Limited and its group subsidiaries (Beach) hold a number of petroleum exploration, production and retention licences in the onshore Otway Basin in the Southeast of South Australia.

The SEO was first gazetted in 2013 to meet the requirements of the Petroleum and Geothermal Act 2000 (PGE Act), with a subsequent revision gazetted in 2019. The PGE Act has since been superseded by the Energy Resources Act 2000 (ER Act) and the Energy Resources Regulations 2013 (the regs). In accordance with s102(1)(b) of the ER Act, an approved SEO must be reviewed every 5-years. The SEO (and associated EIR) has now been revised where the overall scope of activities covered by the EIR remains unchanged and continues to apply to drilling, completion, well production testing and decommissioning activities in the onshore Otway Basin. The EIR now includes an assessment to meet the requirements stipulated in the Environmental Impact Assessment Criteria in accordance with section 97 of the ER Act.

In accordance with s105A of the ER Act, the Minister for Energy and Mining must undertake public consultation on the SEO and associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Location

The scope of activities covered by the SEO are described in the associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and apply only to Beach licence areas within the onshore Otway Basin in the Penola region of South Australia.

Documents for public comment

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO) have been submitted by Beach Energy Pty Ltd, following stakeholder consultation.

Closing date for submissions

Submissions closed 29 May 2026.

More information

If you have any questions about the consultation process contact: