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/PL17 (MPZV8D)
I, STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR, 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/PL17 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.
STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF
PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL17
The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence:
- Change the pipeline licence commencement point to Flounder Platform and the termination point to Tuna Platform.
- 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:
“The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below (Attachment A), commencing at the subsea cut location near the Flounder platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Tuna platform.”
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Subsea cut location near the Flounder platform. Flexible Pipeline – Section 1 Begin | 625864.04 | 5758705.26 |
2 | Inflection Point 02 | 625873.3 | 5758735.3 |
3 | Inflection Point 03 | 625867.5 | 5758784.4 |
4 | Inflection Point 04 | 625833.0 | 5758787.0 |
5 | Inflection Point 05 | 625786.0 | 5758799.0 |
6 | Inflection Point 06 | 625783.0 | 5758817.0 |
7 | Flexible Pipeline – Section 1 End | 625783.0 | 5758820.5 |
8 | Flexible Pipeline – Section 2 Begin | 625829.0 | 5762200.6 |
9 | Inflection Point 07 | 625829.0 | 5762223.0 |
10 | Inflection Point 08 | 625863.0 | 5762244.0 |
11 | Flexible Pipeline – Section 2 End | 625863.7 | 5762252.3 |
12 | Flexible Pipeline – Section 3 Begin | 626088.7 | 5765623.2 |
13 | Inflection Point 09 | 626086.7 | 5765652.0 |
14 | Inflection Point 10 | 626118.3 | 5765644.9 |
15 | Flexible Pipeline – Section 3 End | 626115.6 | 5765674.0 |
16 | West Tuna Fluid Umbilical Crossing | 625459.8 | 5772194.2 |
17 | KPA350 South Gas Pipeline Crossing | 625455.8 | 5772214.9 |
18 | KPA350 North Gas Pipeline Crossing | 625446.1 | 5772265.8 |
19 | West Tuna Electrical Umbilical Crossing | 625441.2 | 5772291.4 |
20 | Inflection Point 11 | 625214.0 | 5773082.0 |
21 | Inflection Point 12 | 624587.1 | 5774202.3 |
22 | Inflection Point 13 | 624365.9 | 5774389.1 |
23 | FVO Tuna Manifold | 624358.2 | 5774389.1 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline
Attachment A
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australian waters. This Act aimed to address the need for comprehensive governance over the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum resources offshore, as well as the storage of greenhouse gases, to ensure environmentally sustainable practices and efficient resource management. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the economic benefits of offshore activities with the protection of the marine environment and the rights of various stakeholders. The Act empowers the relevant authorities to issue licenses, monitor compliance, and manage the environmental impacts associated with offshore operations.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to persons and entities involved in offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically in the offshore area of Victoria. This legislation governs the regulation and management of offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage facilities. The Act's provisions cover a range of activities, including the application and variation of pipeline licences, which are critical for the transportation of petroleum and greenhouse gases. The Act extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and its territorial waters, ensuring a unified regulatory framework across different states and territories. Notably, the Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the notice concerning the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL17, but these may be detailed in the application documents and other related provisions of the Act. The application process for variations to pipeline licences is governed by specific sections of the Act, such as sections 226 and 708, which allow for public submissions and ensure transparency in the regulatory process.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, specifically sections 226 and 708, mandates that the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator must notify the public of an application for variation of a pipeline licence, in this case, the application from Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd for the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL17. The proposed variation includes changing the pipeline's commencement point to Flounder Platform and its termination point to Tuna Platform. The amendment entails updating the "FIRST SCHEDULE – ROUTE OF PIPELINE" to reflect the new pipeline route, as detailed in the table and map provided in Attachment A of the application. This notice informs interested parties that they have 30 days from the date of publication in the Australian Government Gazette to submit written submissions to the Titles Administrator.
Under the provisions of the Act, the applicants, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, must comply with the regulatory framework governing pipeline licensing in offshore areas. This involves submitting detailed plans and descriptions of the proposed pipeline route, ensuring the safety and environmental standards are met, and engaging with any stakeholders or the public who may be affected by the pipeline's operation. The applicants must also ensure that the new route complies with all existing maritime and environmental regulations and any specific conditions set out in the current licence or relevant legislation.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in significant legal consequences. If the applicants do not adhere to the requirements for pipeline variations, they may face enforcement actions, including fines or penalties as stipulated in the Act. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to stringent safety and environmental standards in offshore petroleum operations. Additionally, any adverse findings from the public submissions or regulatory review could lead to the application being rejected, thereby preventing the pipeline variation from proceeding.