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Bight drilling protest heads to Norway

A delegation representing those opposed to oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight is heading to Norway to continue the fight against plans for a well.

A delegation of those opposed to oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight is heading for Norway in the fight against international energy company Equinor's plans to drill an exploration well off the coast of South Australia.

The company will hold its annual meeting later this month where, among other issues, shareholders will vote on a motion banning exploration in sensitive areas.

The Australian Bight Alliance delegation leaves on Monday and includes Wilderness Society South Australia Director Peter Owen, first nations leader Bunna Lawrie, Bight fisherman and former pro surfer Heath Joske and Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility executive director Brynn O'Brien.

"We will be heading to Norway tomorrow to tell Equinor, its shareholders including the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian people just how unpopular Bight drilling is," Mr Owen said.

"We will take our protests to Oslo's harbour and the Equinor AGM."

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Equinor wants to drill an exploratory well 370km off the SA coast.

If Stromlo-1 receives all necessary regulatory approvals, drilling is expected to start in the summer of 2020/21.

But the company said it would only carry out a drilling operation if it could do so safely and with the approval of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).

"We will take the time necessary to ensure our operations are safe for people, communities and the environment," it said.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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