Application for Variation of a Pipeline Licence - Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 (Cobia to Halibut) (CKFDJS)

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au C2026G00527 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

 

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

 

Sections 226 and 708

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

 

APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF A PIPELINE LICENCE - PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL15 (COBIA TO HALIBUT) (CKFDJS)

 

I, MONICA ELAINE ATSALIS, the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority hereby give notice pursuant to sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 that an application has been received from

 

Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd

(ACN 091 829 819)

 

Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd

(ACN 004 228 004)

 

 

for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 in the offshore area of Victoria, as set out below.

 

Pursuant to subsection 226(3) of the Act, a person may make a written submission to the Titles Administrator about this application within 30 days from the date of this notice.

 

This notice takes effect on the day on which it appears in the
Australian Government Gazette.

 

Made under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

of the Commonwealth of Australia.

 

MONICA ELAINE ATSALIS

DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR

ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA

OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY

 

 

 

 


APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF

PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL15

 

The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence: 

  1.       Removing the flexible flowline between Cobia and Halibut platforms (i.e., DN150 (6”) flexible pipeline), removing the majority of the redundant DN300 steel pipeline between Cobia and Halibut platforms approximately 5.2km in length, the DN300 steel pipeline section remaining on the seabed at the HLA end will be plugged using an environmental plug and, the remaining licensed pipeline will be decommissioned at a later date in accordance with the regulatory approvals in place for that decommissioning activity.

 

  1.       The FIRST SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text and table below the heading “FIRST SCHEDULE ROUTE OF PIPELINE”

and

substituting under the heading the following:

ROUTE OF REDUNDANT DN300 STEEL PIPELINE

 

“The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below

(Attachment A), commencing at the cut location near the Halibut platform and terminates at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Halibut platform.”

 

ID

Description

Easting (mE)

Northing (mN)

1

Cut location near Halibut platform

Redundant DN300 Steel Pipe – Section 1 Start

615322

 

5748486

 

2

Redundant DN300 Steel Pipe – Section 1 End

615310

5748496

3

Halibut platform – DN150 to DN300 riser tie-in cut location – Section 2 Start

615309

 

5748504

 

4

Upstream flange of FVO on Halibut platform

DN300 riser – Section 2 End

615297

 

5748505

 

Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.

 

  1.       The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting all current text as stated in the licence renewal instrument dated 20 July 1990 and all subsequent variations (e.g., variation dated 19 October 2018 and 22 July 2019), and substituting with the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIFICATION 

 

Basis of Design – Redundant DN300 Steel Pipeline

 

The redundant DN300 steel pipeline design is based on the following parameters.

 

Item

Item Description

Details

1

Outside diameter of pipe

323.9 mm

2

Wall thickness of pipe

19.05 mm

3

Length

0.016 km (approximate)

4

Design life

The DN300 steel pipeline is redundant and is not planned to be reused

5

Pipeline Material and Grade

The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specifications – API Spec 5LX for Grade X52 seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application.

6

Minimum yield strength of pipe steel

358.5 MPa

7

Weight Coating

DN300 pipeline is provided with 25 mm concrete weight coating. The specification for the reinforced concrete weight coating and the shop application of this material to the pipe shall be in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited Protective Coatings Specifications accompanying the 1981 pipeline licence application.

8

Protective Coating

The line pipe shall be protected by a coating of fusion bonded black polyethylene having a minimum coating thickness of 2.2 mm and applied in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited specification accompanying the 1981 pipeline licence application.

9

Internal design pressure

13,962 kPag

10

Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure

Not provided

11

Specific Gravity

Minimum 1.3 (including contents)

12

Design Capacity

12,400 kilolitres per day (12,400 m³ per day or 77,994 bbl per day)

13

Maximum Operating Temperature

Not provided

14

Maximum Design Temperature

Not provided

15

Minimum Design Temperature

Not provided

16

Characteristics of substance proposed to be conveyed

Liquid hydrocarbons (and associated produced water)

17

General plans and description of pump stations, tank stations or valve stations and their equipment

N/A

18

General plans and description of pigging facilities

N/A

19

Valves and Fittings

Low pressure (2.5 MPag) mechanical pipe plugs shall be installed at each end of the DN300 pipeline section.

20

Connection to Pipeline Tow Sled Assemblies

The redundant steel pipeline is installed within the bottom tow sled at the HLA end which was used for installation of the pipeline in 1982. This tow sled remains connected to the seabed level bracing of HLA platform.

21

Cathodic Protection

Transformer rectifier unit on Halibut platform provides protection to the tow sled which remains connected to the seabed level bracing of HLA platform, but does not provide cathodic protection to the redundant DN300 steel pipeline section.

 

Basis of Design – DN300 Halibut Platform riser

 

(A) Design

 

The pipeline riser design is based on the following parameters –

 

  1.             one 300 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons;
  2.             a flow rate of 12,400 kilolitres per day (12,400 m3per day or 77,994 bbl per day);
  3.             an internal design pressure of 13,962 kPag;
  4.             a DN300 riser length of approximately 0.083 km.

 

(B) Materials of Construction

 

  1.             Steel Pipe

 

The riser pipework shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5LX and Esso Australia Limited supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application, Grade X52 seamless pipe and have the dimensions 323.9 mm O.D. and 19.05 mm W.T.

 

  1.             Protective Coating

 

Protection of the riser pipework by an epoxy coating shall be in accordance with the Specification for the Protection of Pipeline Risers accompanying the pipeline licence application. Protection of the riser pipework in the splash zone area with 4.7 mm thick Monel sheeting shall be as detailed in the specifications accompanying the pipeline licence application.

 

(C) Cathodic Protection

 

  1.             A transformer rectifier unit on Halibut platform shall provide protection to the subsea portion of the DN300 pipeline riser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


ATTACHMENT A

 

 

 

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to address the need for a comprehensive legislative framework governing offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australian waters. This Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia and aims to facilitate the sustainable exploration, production, and storage of offshore petroleum resources while ensuring environmental protection and safety. The Act provides a structured approach to the regulation of offshore activities, encompassing licensing, environmental management, and safety standards. It empowers the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority to manage and regulate activities within designated offshore areas, ensuring that operations are conducted in a manner that minimises environmental impact and adheres to stringent safety protocols. This legislative framework is critical in balancing the economic benefits of offshore resource extraction with the imperative to protect marine ecosystems and public safety.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the offshore petroleum activities within Australia's jurisdiction, specifically targeting entities involved in offshore petroleum operations. This Act governs the regulation and licensing of activities related to offshore petroleum exploration, production, and storage, including the management of pipelines and other infrastructure essential for these operations. In this context, the Act applies to the entities Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, which have submitted an application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15, concerning modifications to the pipeline infrastructure between the Cobia and Halibut platforms in the offshore area of Victoria. This application seeks to remove redundant pipeline sections and modify the licensed pipeline route. The geographic reach of this Act is national, as it pertains to Commonwealth jurisdiction over offshore areas. However, the specific application of this Act in this instance is confined to the offshore region of Victoria. The Act does not specify exclusions or exemptions in this notice, although broader exemptions might apply under other sections of the Act. The application of this Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which provide further details on the regulatory requirements and processes for pipeline licensing and variations.

Key Provisions

Pursuant to sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, an application has been received by the Titles Administrator from Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd for a variation to the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15. The application seeks to remove a flexible flowline and a significant portion of a redundant DN300 steel pipeline between the Cobia and Halibut platforms in the offshore area of Victoria. The remaining section of the DN300 steel pipeline at the Halibut end will be plugged using an environmental plug and subsequently decommissioned. The changes involve altering the pipeline's route and specifications, as detailed in the First and Second Schedules of the Licence. The obligations imposed on the applicants by the Act include ensuring that the variation application is made in accordance with the statutory requirements and that all relevant documentation is submitted to the Titles Administrator. The applicants must provide detailed descriptions of the proposed changes, including the pipeline's route and specifications, and ensure that these changes comply with the Act and any other relevant regulations. Additionally, the applicants must allow for a 30-day period for the public to make written submissions regarding the application, as mandated by section 226(3) of the Act. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act may result in civil or criminal penalties. Under the Act, unauthorised activities related to offshore petroleum operations can lead to significant fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The maximum penalties for breaches can vary depending on the nature and severity of the offence, but they can include substantial fines for corporations and potential imprisonment for individuals responsible for the breach. Compliance with the Act is crucial to avoid these consequences and to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible conduct of offshore petroleum activities.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.