Hydrodynamic and environmental modelling in the vicinity of Scott Reef

The proposed Browse Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Developmentincludes three offshore gas-condensate fields in the Browse Basin located 290 km from the Kimberley coast and 425 km north of Broome. As a basis for the environmental impact assessment process for the upstream development a suite of models has been set-up based on the MIKE 3 modelling package. The basic model describes the physical oceanography (hydrodynamics), while routine and non-routine discharges are simulated in separate models. The development area includes the coral atoll Scott Reef, which is located in 500m water depth on the edge of the continental shelf. Modelling the hydrodynamics in this area is challenging not least because of the steep gradients in the bathymetry. The MIKE 3 model was calibrated and validated with water level, current and temperature measurements collected over 12 months.