One step closer to Bight oil drill: BP

BP says its one step closer to drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight after opening an exploration base in Adelaide.

The centre, which will employ up to 18 workers at its peak, opened in Port Adelaide on Friday.

The oil and gas giant plans to resubmit its proposal to drill four exploration wells off the bight after being knocked back by the national authority last year.

A Senate committee will also investigate the project's potential environmental, social and economic impacts.

SA's Wilderness Society says BP is treating Australians and the Senate with "contempt" by launching a supply base for an unapproved oil drill.