Marine Fauna Observers to support Equinox Drilling Campaign offshore Australia

Tetra Tech RPS Energy has been awarded a contract to provide Marine Fauna Observers (MFOs) for an upcoming drilling campaign by Beach Energy in the Otway and Bass Basins, offshore Victoria, Australia. The campaign will not only explore and develop new gas discoveries in the Otway Basin but will also plug and abandon (“P&A”) non-producing wells in the Otway and Bass Basins. 

Mitigating potential risks to marine mammals and other protected species is crucial for compliance in successful offshore projects. This is most commonly achieved by deploying MFOs on-board vessels or platforms that carry out activities with the potential to disturb wildlife, usually through sound production.

Tetra Tech RPS Energy is one of the largest providers of MFOs to the oil and gas sector internationally, supplying highly qualified, experienced operatives. In Australia, we have provided MFO services since 2008. We are recognised as a premier provider of these services in the Australia and Southeast Asia region.

We have previously supported Beach Energy by providing MFO services for the 2021-2022 Otway Offshore Drilling and Completion Campaign. This groundbreaking project was the first in Australia – and the second in the world – to involve MFOs on such a scale. Additionally, the team demonstrated significant adaptation and resilience despite the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a vendor for multiple clients who intend to utilise the same Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) for their various projects in Australian waters throughout 2025, Tetra Tech RPS Energy has also identified potential opportunities for synergies across these projects and to deliver enhanced value to our clients. 

To learn more about this project or our services, please get in touch with the contacts below.