Norwegian oil giant Equinor has become the third company to abandon plans to drill in the Great Australian Bight.
The company stating it was “not commercially competitive” compared with other exploration opportunities.
In December, Equinor was granted environmental approval to drill 372 kilometres south of the Nullarbor coastline.
Drilling in the Bight had been fiercely opposed by environmental groups concerned about the threat of a catastrophic oil spill, with thousands taking part in a nation-wide paddle out, Fight for the Bight, in November last year.
Today, Equinior told federal, South Australian and local authorites it decided to scrap the $200 million project.
“This is an incredible win for people power and nature – after years of relentless campaigning by coastal communities, Indigenous traditional owners, surfers, the seafood industry, tourism operators and other local businesses,” said David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
BP abandoned plans in 2016, with Chevron following suit in 2017.
However, Santos, Murphy Oil and Bight Petroleum still have plans to drill in the Bight.
“The only way to protect coastal communities and the Great Australian Bight’s unique marine life is to rule out drilling permanently,” Dr Ritter said.
“The Australian government should now impose a permanent moratorium on oil drilling in this precious marine wonderland.”
