Precompetitive geoscience information to support the Australian ocean energy sector bringing seabed data to the surface

Australia’s vast ocean estate offers significant potential for the emerging ocean energy industry. Capitalising on this opportunity is critical to achieving Australia’s net zero targets. Yet, Australia’s oceans remain largely unexplored, with <10% of the continental shelf mapped in sufficient detail to inform government and industry decisions.     Pre-competitive geoscience information is a critical input to support the ocean energy sector. This includes seabed mapping information such as bathymetry compilations and seabed geomorphology maps. These integrated, multidisciplinary datasets increase our understanding of Australia’s seabed at regional and national scales, with wide-ranging applications and benefits across multiple ocean sectors.     Pre-competitive geoscience information is used to inform more targeted surveying and identify areas suitable for offshore infrastructure, reducing investment risk. It also provides important regional context for environmental impact assessments and informs evidence-based decisions consistent with government policies and regulations.     Australia’s seabed mapping data is limited in extent, fragmented, difficult to access, and held in various formats across different organisations. Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Hydrographic Office, James Cook University, and the University of Sydney, is creating a series of bathymetry compilations, including in the Bass Strait region. These high-quality datasets bring together disparate data to create seamless surfaces and provide a complete three-dimensional picture of the seafloor. Individual survey datasets and bathymetry compilations are available through the AusSeabed Marine Data Portal.      Interpretation of these bathymetry compilations and complementary datasets to produce seabed geomorphology maps provides further insights into seabed features and processes such as sediment dynamics and seabed stability. Applying a nationally consistent approach, these geomorphology maps provide baseline data to effectively evaluate, monitor, and manage environmental impacts from ocean energy developments.     This robust scientific information enables government and industry to sustainably manage Australia’s oceans, drive growth of Australia’s ocean economy, and protect our marine environment.

Presented at the 2024 International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE)