Senate to examine BP's plans to drill for oil in Great Australian Bight

Modelling has showed a spill from the company's proposed oil wells could affect most of Australia's southern coastline

A Senate inquiry will investigate BP's plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight and examine how a spill could be dealt with.

The company's application to drill four exploratory wells was knocked back last year by National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, but details of why were not made public. BP quickly vowed to reapply.