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/PL29 (2DRLWP)
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/PL29 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/PL29
The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence:
- 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, commencing at tie-in spool at the Blackback Subsea Facility and terminating at the subsea cut location near the Mackerel platform.”
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Blackback Subsea Tie-in spool | 635485.00 | 5733081.00 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 635500.14 | 5733067.29 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 635447.18 | 5733075.04 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 635481.00 | 5733046.00 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 625025.28 | 5730540.03 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 622296.47 | 5734420.09 |
7 | Inflection Point 06 | 620792.03 | 5735110.66 |
8 | Inflection Point 07 | 617196.88 | 5740187.72 |
9 | Inflection Point 08 | 617157.83 | 5740175.00 |
10 | Subsea cut location near the Mackerel platform | 617134.39 | 5740174.52 |
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 address the regulatory gap in managing offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australia. This Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia, aiming to provide a comprehensive legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities. The primary objective of the Act is to ensure that these activities are carried out in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and economically efficient. This legislation establishes the legal foundation for licensing, environmental protection, and the management of potential risks associated with offshore operations, thereby protecting both the marine environment and the interests of stakeholders.
The notice provided pertains to an application by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL29 in the offshore area of Victoria. This application is made under sections 226 and 708 of the Act, which govern the processes for varying pipeline licences. The proposed variation involves changes to the pipeline route, as detailed in the application, and is subject to public submissions within 30 days from the date of this notice. This mechanism ensures transparency and public participation in the regulatory process, aligning with the policy objectives of the Act to balance industrial activity with environmental stewardship.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to persons and entities involved in offshore petroleum activities, including the granting and variation of pipeline licences in offshore areas of Australian states and territories. This Act has a national reach as it pertains to the Commonwealth and its interaction with state and territory jurisdictions concerning offshore petroleum activities. The application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL29 specifically targets offshore areas in Victoria, reflecting the Act's jurisdictional scope. The application is made by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, and the Act allows for public submissions regarding the proposed variations within a specified timeframe. The Act’s application is not limited to specific exclusions or exemptions, though it does provide for certain thresholds and conditions that must be met in the application process. The legislative framework also allows for the extension or restriction of application through subordinate instruments, ensuring flexibility in the administration of offshore petroleum activities.
Key Provisions
Pursuant to sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, Steven Robert Taylor, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, has published a notice in the Australian Government Gazette, declaring the receipt of an application from Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd for a variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL29 in the offshore area of Victoria. This application, detailed in the First Schedule of the Licence, proposes a new route for the pipeline, starting from the tie-in spool at the Blackback Subsea Facility and ending at the subsea cut location near the Mackerel platform. The application seeks to replace the existing route description and table with the new specified coordinates, based on the GDA 94/MGA Zone 55 survey of the pipeline centreline.
Under the Act, any individual or entity may submit a written response to the Titles Administrator within 30 days from the publication date of this notice. This requirement is outlined in subsection 226(3) and serves to provide an opportunity for public consultation and stakeholder input on the proposed changes. The application details a new pipeline route with specific coordinates for various inflection points, culminating in a new subsea cut location. This modification aims to ensure that the pipeline's path adheres to current operational needs or regulatory standards.
The Act imposes obligations on the applicants, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, to ensure that their application for the pipeline variation is complete and accurate. This includes providing detailed descriptions and coordinates of the new pipeline route and ensuring that all submissions comply with the regulatory requirements set forth by the Titles Administrator. Additionally, the applicants must address any public submissions received during the consultation period in their final application.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act or the terms of the pipeline licence can result in various consequences. While the notice does not specify exact penalties, breaches of the Act can typically lead to enforcement actions by the Titles Administrator. This may include the issuance of compliance notices, imposition of fines, or in severe cases, revocation of the pipeline licence. The specific penalties would be determined based on the nature and severity of the breach, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act.