BP plan to drill for oil in Great Australian Bight rejected for second time

Australian offshore oil and gas regulator keeps reasons for rejection secret, but says company will be given an opportunity to revise application

BP's application to drill for oil deep in the pristine Great Australian Bight has been rejected for a second time by the offshore oil and gas regulator, Nopsema.

The regulator said on its website on Monday evening the company would be given an opportunity to revise its plans and resubmit. The decision implies the regulator found BP's plans did not meet its regulatory requirements, although the reasons were kept secret.