Barrow Island

When our client, a multinational energy corporation, required environmentally sensitive access within a Class A Nature Reserve, it was the world’s largest non-government facilitated quarantine management system. Rigid quarantine measures implemented on the island have assisted to safeguard natural fauna and biodiversity from the proliferation of non-native species. It hosts 235 square kilometers of secured habitat for a variety endangered animals and plants.

Over 50 years ago, oil was first discovered on the island, and since 1963, the island has produced over 300 million barrels worth. The company reached out to JWA with the purpose of providing beach access to cause minimal interference to the sea turtles of the island.

The known turtle breeding ground required beach access for heavy machinery. The requirement was to have minimal ground disturbance and be able to demob the moment a turtle was sighted offshore. Consequently, all machinery had to be turned off and all crew members had to wait until the turtles had left until construction could commence. Soft sand was also an issue as vehicles were unable to gain traction in the unstable terrain. This resulted in both the tired-vehicles and machinery subsiding into the ground, thereby causing delays and possible damage.

The solution to the problem involved using Dura-Base mats to grant access to the beach. A non-invasive method that does not interfere with the turtles and provided the option to halt work at a moments notice. Once a turtle was sighted, the mats were quickly gathered and the site was restored to its original environment. Used as a solid continuous surface for vehicles to travel across, the robust mats are 105mm thick and can spread the load evenly.

Resulting from this initiative, the works had minimal impact upon the breeding habitat of the endangered sea turtle population. No remediation was required and the only action needed to be was gathering the mats upon successful completion of the project.