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/PL25 (XB7HHR)
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/PL25 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/PL25
The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence:
- Vary the pipeline licence name from Whiting/Snapper to Whiting to Snapper.
- 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 Whiting platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Snapper platform.”
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Subsea cut location near the Whiting platform | 576466.55 | 5767189.35 |
2 | Inflection Point 03 | 576531.00 | 5767213.00 |
3 | Inflection Point 04 | 578784.81 | 5769526.63 |
4 | Inflection Point 05 | 589646.00 | 5772155.00 |
5 | Inflection Point 06 | 589763.07 | 5772173.94 |
6 | MLB450 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 589763.87 | 5772172.97 |
7 | Inflection Point 07 | 589770.28 | 5772166.33 |
8 | Inflection Point 08 | 589773.15 | 5772177.09 |
9 | SNA600 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 589774.90 | 5772176.86 |
10 | FVO Snapper Manifold | 589784.44 | 5772178.43 |
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 was enacted to regulate the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gas in Australian waters. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legislative framework that would govern the offshore petroleum industry, ensuring environmental protection, safety, and efficient resource management. The Act is overseen by the Commonwealth of Australia, with the primary policy objective of balancing the nation's economic interests in offshore petroleum activities with the imperative to protect the marine environment and public safety. It provides a structured approach to licensing, regulation, and enforcement to achieve these objectives.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of activities related to offshore petroleum exploration, production, and storage, as well as greenhouse gas storage, within Australian waters. This legislation is enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and therefore has a national reach, applying uniformly across state and territory boundaries. The Act provides the framework under which licences and permits are issued to entities involved in these activities, ensuring they adhere to environmental, safety, and operational standards. The application of the Act extends to all entities involved in offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage, including companies such as Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, as demonstrated by the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25. This particular application pertains to the offshore area of Victoria, illustrating the Act's jurisdictional reach over specific regions within the Commonwealth. The Act allows for the variation of pipeline licences through subordinate instruments, ensuring that the regulatory framework can adapt to changes in operational requirements while maintaining stringent safety and environmental standards.
Key Provisions
Pursuant to sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, Steven Robert Taylor, as the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, has issued a notice regarding an application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25. The application, submitted by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, seeks to alter the name of the pipeline licence from Whiting/Snapper to Whiting to Snapper and to revise the description of the pipeline route, as detailed in the First Schedule of the licence.
Under section 226 of the Act, any interested party has the opportunity to make a written submission to the Titles Administrator within 30 days from the date of this notice. This period is crucial for stakeholders to provide their views or objections on the proposed variations. The notice becomes effective on the day it appears in the Australian Government Gazette, signifying the commencement of the public submission period.
The Act imposes several obligations on the entities involved. Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd must ensure their application is complete and accurate, providing all necessary details and justifications for the proposed changes. Additionally, they must facilitate the public submission process by allowing interested parties to review the application and submit their feedback within the stipulated timeframe.
Breach of the requirements outlined in the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in this notice, the Act generally provides for penalties that may include fines or other sanctions for non-compliance. These penalties are intended to enforce adherence to the legislative provisions and to maintain the integrity and safety of offshore petroleum activities.