Fish populations and species diversity study along pipelines around Varanus and Airlie Islands, on the North West Shelf

North West Shelf Environmental Survey

Santos is Australia’s pioneering energy supplier of oil and gas, with subsea pipelines on the North West Shelf. When Quadrant Energy, now part of Santos, wanted to know about fish populations and species diversity along pipelines around Varanus and Airlie Islands, they relied on our team of experienced marine ecologists. We performed an environmental survey—critical for understanding the ecological value of shallow water infrastructure and making informed decisions about any future decommissioning based on robust scientific studies.

Uniquely suited to the challenge, our team investigated subsea pipelines around the islands. Using baited remote underwater video stations, we collected data to estimate fish populations and species diversity along the pipelines. Analyzing the data, we made a preliminary assessment of the habitat value and productivity in the water around the pipelines.

With data in hand, our work helps with understanding the productivity of habitat in the delicate marine environment around subsea pipelines, now and into the future.