Northern Carnarvon Basin

There are 3 release areas in the Northern Carnarvon Basin, offshore north-western Australia.

They are in:

  • Dampier Sub-basin
  • Exmouth Plateau.

See all block listings [129 KB PDF] [40 KB DOCX] for graticular block numbers and 1:1,000,000 map sheet references that identify each release area.

Download shapefiles of all acreage release areas [38 KB ZIP].

Shapefiles show the areas in vector format for geographic information system (GIS) software.

Regional geology

Dampier Sub-basin

There are 2 release areas in the Dampier Sub-basin:

  • W22–4
  • W22–5.

The Dampier Sub-basin release area maps [2.5 MB PDF] [1.7 MB ZIP] show the release areas in bathymetric detail. They also includes other permit locations, known petroleum accumulations and wells.

W22–4

The Dampier Sub-basin block diagram [102 KB PDF] [86 KB PNG] shows the coordinates of release area boundaries.

Marine environment

W22–4 intersects the:

  • inter-nesting buffer for flatback turtles
  • foraging grounds of whale shark
  • migration route for humpback whales (north and south)
  • distribution for pygmy blue whale.

Wedge-tailed shearwater birds are also in the area.

Defence restricted areas

W22–4 overlaps with areas of restricted airspace which may need to be shut down at times. You should liaise with Defence early in the project planning phase to coordinate with Defence activities.

W22–5

The Dampier Sub-basin block diagram [102 KB PDF] [86 KB PNG] shows the coordinates of release area boundaries.

Marine environment

W22–5 intersects the:

  • inter-nesting buffer for flatback turtles
  • foraging grounds of whale shark
  • migration route for humpback whales (north and south).

Wedge-tailed shearwater birds are also in the area.

Defence restricted areas

W22–5 overlaps with areas of restricted airspace which may need to be shut down at times. You should liaise with Defence early in the project planning phase to coordinate with Defence activities.

Exmouth Sub-basin

There is 1 release area in the Exmouth Sub-basin: W22–6.

The Exmouth Sub-basin release area map [2 MB PDF] [1.2 MB JPG] shows the release area in bathymetric detail. It also includes other permit locations, known petroleum accumulations and wells.

W22–6

The W22–6 block diagram [112 KB PDF] [59 KB PNG] shows the coordinates of release area boundaries.

Marine environment

W22-6 intersects the:

  • inter-nesting buffer for flatback turtles
  • foraging grounds of whale shark
  • migration route for humpback whales (north and south)
  • migration route and distribution for pygmy blue whale and continental slope demersal fish communities.

Wedge-tailed shearwater birds are also in the area.

W22-6 is in close proximity (about 17 km) to areas that are protected as matters of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:

  • Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area
  • Ningaloo Coast National Heritage Place.

Defence restricted areas

W22–6 overlaps the edge of a defence weapons range. This could require industry operations to shut down at times.

Bidding information    

You can submit a work-bid application to NOPTA until 4:00 pm on Thursday 2 March 2023.

Find out how to file your application.

See important information for planning your bid.

The gazette notice inviting applications outlines matters that you should be aware of before submitting your application.

About these files

If you have difficulty accessing this information, please email petroleum.exploration@industry.gov.au.