Subsea 7 to no longer pursue controversial Ningaloo pipeline facility

An engineering giant has withdrawn its plan to pull pipe bundles through the Exmouth Gulf. In a statement issued today, Subsea 7 announced it has decided to cease investment in the proposed Learmonth Pipeline Bundle Fabrication Facility near Exmouth. “Subsea 7 has been successfully designing, fabricating and installing pipeline bundles since 1980 in other locations around the world,” it said. “The technology requires an onshore fabrication facility in proximity to the field locations, and Subsea 7 had identified Learmonth as the ideal location to support future developments in Australia. “Having reviewed the evolution of the market and the economics of this investment, and with availability of alternative technical solutions to execute our projects in Australia, Subsea 7 has taken the decision to no longer pursue the development of the proposed Learmonth Pipeline Bundle Fabrication Facility.” The proposal involved the construction of pipeline bundles at an onshore facility in Learmonth, 35km from Exmouth, with each bundle containing lines, cables and wires. It was planned the bundles would then be towed through Ningaloo World Heritage areas for use by the offshore oil and gas industry. The project has been the subject of environmental scrutiny since being proposed and was currently under review by the Environmental Protection Authority. Subsea 7 said it would now be withdrawing the referral assessment currently under review by the EPA. Environmental group Protect Ningaloo have been campaigning for two years to stop the proposal which it claims would harm the Exmouth Gulf. In August, the group ramped up its efforts with the Beautiful Ningaloo campaign involving advertising, social media posts, billboards, household postcard drops and posters.