BP finally withdraws application to drill for oil in Great Australian Bight

Regulator says company failed to provide information on oil spill response plans, environmental monitoring and risks to marine reserves

BP has finally officially withdrawn its application to drill for oil in the pristine Great Australian Bight, ending months of uncertainty after it announced it was not pursuing the project but then did not withdraw its application.

The Wilderness Society, which has been fighting plans from BP, Chevron, Santos, Murphy Oil and others to create a massive new oil field in the remote waters, described the announcement as an "early Christmas present" for Australians.