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/PL21 (PERCH TO SHORE) (QHZ55G)
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/PL21 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/PL21
The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence:
- Removal of the flexible jumpers at Perch and Dolphin platforms, the pipeline remaining on the seabed will be plugged using environmental plugs and the remaining licensed pipeline will be decommissioned at a later date in accordance with the regulatory approvals in place for that decommissioning activity.
- 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 start of the steel pipeline near the Perch platform location before proceeding through two major deflections, and continuing in a straight line with minor deflections to a point which intersects the boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters at the 3 nautical mile limit.”
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Start of Steel Pipe near Perch platform | 528072 | 5730975 |
2 | Tangent Intersection Point 06 | 527415 | 5731937 |
3 | Tangent Intersection Point 07 | 533816 | 5739201 |
4 | Dolphin Platform T connection location | 532889 | 5740035 |
5 | 3 Nautical Mile Limit Crossing | 522272 | 5749839 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
- The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting all current text as stated in the licence instrument dated 31 August 1989 and all subsequent variations (e.g., variation dated 8 May 2020 and 3 April 2025), and substituting with the following:
SPECIFICATION
(A) Design
The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –
- one 300 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons;
- a flow rate of 3,800 sm3/d (0.024 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons;
- an internal design pressure of 15,310 kPag;
- a design temperature of 65.5°C;
- a specific gravity of 2.5 for the 323.9 mm X 22.2 mm pipeline (including contents);
- a pipeline length of approximately 26.4 km.
(B) Materials of Construction
- Steel Pipe
The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5L for Grade X42 seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application and the pipeline shall have the dimensions 323.9 mm O.D. with 22.2 mm W.T.
- Protective Coating
The line pipe shall be protected by a coating of Taubmans HB3005 Fusion Bonded Epoxy 400-500 Microns thick, and in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited Protective Coatings Specifications accompanying the pipeline licence application.
(C) Cathodic Protection
Sacrificial anodes in the form of zinc bracelets 600mm long by 560mm O.D., net weight 628Kg, shall be installed and spaced 625 metres apart on the pipeline, as detailed in the construction specifications and cathodic protection design.
ATTACHMENT A
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australian waters. This legislation addresses the need for a unified and effective system to manage the exploration, production, storage, and transportation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas, ensuring environmental protection, safety, and economic benefits. The Act was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia, reflecting the national interest in managing offshore resources responsibly and sustainably. The policy objective of the Act is to facilitate the responsible development of Australia's offshore energy resources while minimising environmental impact and ensuring the safety of operations.
The application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL21, as outlined in the gazette, exemplifies the Act's purpose by seeking to modify the existing pipeline infrastructure to align with updated operational requirements and safety standards. This application process underscores the Act's commitment to adaptive management and the continuous improvement of practices in the offshore petroleum industry. The involvement of the Titles Administrator and the public submission period highlights the Act's dedication to transparency and stakeholder engagement in decision-making processes.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL21 concerning the offshore area of Victoria. The application is made by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, targeting modifications to the existing pipeline infrastructure. The application seeks to remove flexible jumpers at Perch and Dolphin platforms, replace them with environmental plugs, and plan for the future decommissioning of the pipeline in compliance with regulatory approvals. This legislation governs the jurisdictional scope within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically affecting offshore petroleum activities in Victoria. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text, and the application process involves public submissions within a specified timeframe. The Titles Administrator, represented by Monica Elaine Atsalis, facilitates this process on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, as applied to the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL21 (Perch to Shore) (QHZ55G), include the removal of flexible jumpers at Perch and Dolphin platforms, the plugging of the remaining licensed pipeline using environmental plugs, and the decommissioning of the pipeline in accordance with regulatory approvals (section 226(3)). The variation also includes changes to the route of the pipeline, as detailed in the First Schedule, and modifications to the pipeline's design, materials of construction, and cathodic protection as specified in the Second Schedule (section 708). The variation details a 300 mm nominal diameter pipeline for liquid hydrocarbons with a flow rate of 3,800 sm3/d, internal design pressure of 15,310 kPag, and a design temperature of 65.5°C. The pipeline will be constructed with steel pipe conforming to API Spec 5L for Grade X42 seamless pipe, with a protective coating of Taubmans HB3005 Fusion Bonded Epoxy 400-500 Microns thick. The pipeline will also include sacrificial anodes spaced 625 metres apart.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd must ensure that the pipeline's variation complies with all regulatory requirements, including the design, materials, and cathodic protection specifications outlined in the Second Schedule. They must also ensure that the decommissioning of the pipeline is carried out in accordance with the regulatory approvals in place. Additionally, the applicants must allow for public submissions within 30 days of the notice appearing in the Australian Government Gazette (section 226(3)).
Breach of the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in both civil and criminal consequences. Civil penalties for non-compliance can include fines of up to $1.1 million for individuals and $5.5 million for corporations, as stipulated under section 848 of the Act. Additionally, criminal offences can be pursued under section 847, with penalties including imprisonment for up to five years, fines of up to $33,000 for individuals and $165,000 for corporations, or both. These penalties underscore the importance of adherence to the regulatory requirements set out in the Act.