A World first
In the 1980s, Dr John Jackson used his earth science knowledge, skills and experience to achieve a world first that lead into art and education. In 1980 he formed Bond Petroleum and his first task was to hire an exploration team. Then in 1981 as CEO of Bond Petroleum, he joined with Occidental Petroleum (Operator), Texas Eastern, Reading and Bates, Ranger Oil, Pontoon and Pelsart to bid on an exploration license north of Barrow Island. It was a highly competitive bid (twelve competing consortiums) resulting in Bond Petroleum’s first direct entry into Australian oil exploration. The size ofthe bid was the biggest and highest work program in Australian history.
The first commercial oil (Harriet) was found in the ninth exploration well (1983), but was discovered in less than two years from the start of exploration. However, the operator Occidental did not regard Harriet as commercial. Bond Petroleum disagreed and bought both the operatorship and Occidental’s interest in 1984.
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The Harriet A Platform, gas flare and two Monopod Platforms taken from Lowendal Island.
Then in three months from 28th December 1984, Dr Jackson put together a fully operating exploration team, a complete development team, and the start of a production team. Bond Petroleum grew from seven employees to one hundred and forty.
One of the most important decisions at this time was to avoid the international companies on Barrow Island and establish an independent island terminal for Harriet oil. Varanus Island, just north of Barrow Island, was an ideal sight for a Harriet Oil terminal. This plan was approved by the West Australian government, financiers, and all partners. The key to this approval was Dr Jackson’s discussions with environmentalist Dr Harry Butler. Dr Butler was appointed as the director for all matters environmental.
The Varanus Island Terminal for storing Harriet oil before shipping to a refinery.
During 1985 Bond Petroleum (now the operator) completed; • 660,000 kms of seismic, • seven wells, • the doubling of proven recoverable oil reserves, • approval of the Varanus Island as an oil terminal • an offshore platform, • over twenty-five kilometres in sub-sea pipelines, • an island tank farm with 750 000 barrels of oil storage, • electricity generation and supply for the terminal, • fresh water supply for the island and platform, • environmental screening for all personal and materials, • island accommodation for up to 250 people, • filling a tanker with oil and it delivering to a refinery in Australia • and transporting over six thousand people.
On 19th January 1986 Harriet became the first offshore oil field developed by an Australian company anywhere in the world. It also became Western Australia’s first offshore oil field. Its construction had 83% Australian content. The Varanus Island terminal had an almost 100% Australian content. Air transport to the Varanus Terminal was by a 1947 flying boat. It may be the first time a flying boat has been used in an Australian oil field development. The production lift was completed in 2.5 hours and is possibly a record at the time for a heavy deck lift. The entire platform instillation was done in twenty-two days.
The whole Harriet Platform, pipelines, loadout facility and Varanus Island Terminal were completed in nine months from first construction to first oil shipment – an Australian record. Harriet was completed ahead of schedule and below budget. Harriet oil field accounted for about 20% of Western Australia’s oil reserves.
During its first year of production Harriet’s oil price fell by over 50% and it kept producing.
Soon thereafter, the Australian Government forced Harriet and other small Australian oil producers to sell into the international market. Bond Petroleum kept Harriet producing.
Bond Petroleum won the nation’s best safety record in its group for 1988 in the Petroleum Exploration and Production Industry.
Harriet was bought by international interests in 1990 but kept producing until 2013. Its original 6 million proven, produceable reserves, calculated before Bond Petroleum decided to develop it, eventually amounted to a 100 million barrels. Furthermore, the Varanus Island Terminal was crucial to establishing a significant Australian natural gas hub.
In 2013 Dr Jackson was awarded the Petroleum, Exploration and Production Industry’s highest honour, the Gold Medal (The Reg Sprigg Medal) for contributions to the industry, art and education.
Harriet was the first offshore oil field built by an Australian Company and operated by an Australian Company anywhere in the world. It was built in record time and under budget. It was built by Australians, in Australia for Australia and it delivered Australian oil into an Australian refinery.
“Harriet is an object lesson for Australia.” (Reference; BP Accelerator, No. 360, May 1987, pages 1-3).
On 19th January 1986 Harriet became the first offshore oil field developed by an Australian company anywhere in the world. It also became Western Australia’s first offshore oil field. Its construction had 83% Australian content. The Varanus Island terminal had an almost 100% Australian content. Air transport to the Varanus Terminal was by a 1947 flying boat. It may be the first time a flying boat has been used in an Australian oil field development. The production lift was completed in 2.5 hours and is possibly a record at the time for a heavy deck lift. The entire platform instillation was done in twenty-two days.
The whole Harriet Platform, pipelines, loadout facility and Varanus Island Terminal were completed in nine months from first construction to first oil shipment – an Australian record. Harriet was completed ahead of schedule and below budget. Harriet oil field accounted for about 20% of Western Australia’s oil reserves.
During its first year of production Harriet’s oil price fell by over 50% and it kept producing.
Soon thereafter, the Australian Government forced Harriet and other small Australian oil producers to sell into the international market. Bond Petroleum kept Harriet producing.
Bond Petroleum won the nation’s best safety record in its group for 1988 in the Petroleum Exploration and Production Industry.
Harriet was bought by international interests in 1990 but kept producing until 2013. Its original 6 million proven, produceable reserves, calculated before Bond Petroleum decided to develop it, eventually amounted to a 100 million barrels. Furthermore, the Varanus Island Terminal was crucial to establishing a significant Australian natural gas hub.
In 2013 Dr Jackson was awarded the Petroleum, Exploration and Production Industry’s highest honour, the Gold Medal (The Reg Sprigg Medal) for contributions to the industry, art and education.
Harriet was the first offshore oil field built by an Australian Company and operated by an Australian Company anywhere in the world. It was built in record time and under budget. It was built by Australians, in Australia for Australia and it delivered Australian oil into an Australian refinery.
“Harriet is an object lesson for Australia.” (Reference; BP Accelerator, No. 360, May 1987, pages 1-3).