Total proposes 3D marine seismic survey over a 1,651 km2 at WA-408-P near vulnerable islands

Whilst desktop studies from the DEWHA protected matters search tool revealed 6 threatened, and 12 migratory species in the area of a proposed 3D siesmic survey near Ashmore Reef, Hibernia Reef, Seringapatam Reef, Scott Reef and Cartier Island. Total had argued the impact on the majority of these species will be minimal.

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Shell 2D Marine Seismic Survey plan for WA- 384-P, WA-385-P and WA-394-P in the Southern Exmouth Basin, in whale migration zones

The Shell Guacamole 2D Marine Seismic Survey - 25 km west of mainland Western Australia. - will take place over an estimated 45 day period (allowing for mobilisation and demobilisation) between November 2008 and March 2009, subject to vessel availability and regulatory approval. Shell is committed to undertaking the survey outside the main whale migration and whale shark aggregation period from late March to mid October.

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Snowy Hydro may suspend operations: declare force majeure, if Eucumbene and Jindabyne storages fall to catastrophic lows

The graph above shows Snowy Hydro generation over last 90 days to 11 August 2008, and reduced use of Tumut units. On 6 August Moody's withdrew insured ratings on Snowy Hydro's MTNs and Baa1 underlying senior unsecured ratings on all of Snowy Hydro's MTNs “for business reasons”. This suggests a major risk event for Snowy Hydro, not yet released to the market. The affected notes include $277 million of senior unsecured MTNs due in 2010 and $ 223 million of senior unsecured MTNs due in 2013.

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