PEP 11, page-3

XST has Borba which is a PEP 11 equivalent but without the issues, large costs and long lead time to drilling;

"The northern part of PEP 11 is located within the Hunter Area for Further Assessment – an area identified by the Commonwealth Government for possible inclusion in a nationally representative network of marine protected areas. The northern part of PEP 11 is also located offshore from the NSW Great Lakes Marine Park."

"However, most of the media coverage in newspapers like the Newcastle Herald has identified community concerns regarding offshore drilling. Objections raised by those opposed to the drilling include concerns about the potential for environmental damage. Further concerns cited in media coverage include the lack of community consultation conducted by Advent Energy"

"According to this summary, the EPBC Act lists 34 migratory and 27 threatened species that could occur in the area."

"A coalition of community and environment groups, which included some local government councillors, opposed the offshore drilling for two reasons: they held "serious concerns about the potential for environmental damage to the coast and marine life"; and believed that governments must begin the transition to a "clean, renewable energy economy and away from the fossil-fuel economy."

"Further concerns cited in media coverage include the lack of consultation conducted by Advent Energy (according to community groups Commonwealth MPs and several), and disappointment with the NSW Government's decision to not release the entire Environment Plan to the general public."

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/r...ffshore-petroleum-exploration-and-mining.aspx