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/PL8 (5MZC5N)
I, STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR, 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 (the Act) 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/PL8 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/PL8
The application seeks to affect the following amendments to the licence:
- The FIRST SCHEDULE (Route of the Pipeline) is varied by deleting all the current text and replacing with the following:
The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below (Attachment A), commencing at cut spool location at the Mackerel platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Halibut A platform.
ID | DESCRIPTION | Easting (m) | Northing (m) |
1 | Cut spool location at the Mackerel platform | 617112.65 | 5740149.89 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 617103.28 | 5740144.71 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 616925.68 | 5740153.00 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 617234.51 | 5744105.63 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 617273.69 | 5744107.11 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 617222.86 | 5747499.34 |
7 | Inflection Point 06 | 615316.11 | 5748501.76 |
8 | Inflection Point 07 | 615311.94 | 5748505.64 |
9 | FVO Halibut Manifold | 615298.45 | 5748508.58 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
2. The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by:
- deleting the following text under the fourth and fifth paragraph in item (i), Part B – Materials of Construction – Steel Pipe:
The first sections of both the export riser on MKA and the import riser on HLA are fabricated from A106 Grade B sour service seamless CS line-pipe between the pig launcher/receiver and the first riser flange. The first sections have an external diameter of 323.9 mm and a wall thickness of 21.44 mm. The rest of the riser section are made from API-X52 sour service seamless CS line-pipe, have a diameter of 323.9 mm and a wall thickness of 19.05 mm.
The lower section of the risers have 1-1.5 mm UHB epoxy coating. The export riser splash zone at MKA is wrapped in a 12.7 mm CS sleeve and a 5 mm Monel sleeve. The import riser splash zone at HLA is wrapped in a 12.7 mm CS sleeve.
b. deleting the following text under item (ii), Part B – Protective Coating:
Protection of the riser shall be maintained with a coating in accordance with the coating Specification No. 4.3 – Protective Coatings for Onshore Plants, Offshore Platforms and other Marine Specifications or other systems.
c. deleting the text under Part C – Cathodic Protection:
(a) Insulation flanges and gaskets shall be maintained on the pipeline in accordance with the construction specifications accompanying the original pipeline licence application.
(b) Sacrificial anodes in the form of zinc bracelets shall be installed, spaced and maintained as detailed in the construction specifications and cathodic protection design, or other systems that are approved from time to time by the said Director.
The rest of the SECOND SCHEDULE remains as stated in the licence instrument dated 30 June 1975 and as varied on 6 October 2020.
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to address the need for a comprehensive legal framework governing the exploration, production, and storage of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas. This legislation was introduced by the Commonwealth Parliament to ensure the sustainable development of Australia's offshore energy resources while protecting the environment and managing risks. The policy objective of the Act is to establish a regulatory regime that balances the interests of industry, the environment, and the public. The Act provides for the granting of titles to explore for and produce petroleum, the construction and operation of pipelines, and the storage of greenhouse gases, among other provisions. Through this Act, the Commonwealth aims to foster responsible and efficient management of offshore energy resources while safeguarding Australia's marine environment and ensuring public safety.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the offshore petroleum activities within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, including the regulation of pipeline licences in offshore areas such as Victoria. Specifically, the Act allows the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, to manage and regulate pipeline licences through issuing, varying, and cancelling such licences. The Act applies to entities like Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, which are involved in offshore petroleum operations and must comply with the Act's provisions when seeking variations to their pipeline licences. This application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL8 pertains to the offshore area of Victoria and involves modifications to the pipeline route and specifications for materials and protective coatings. The Act also provides mechanisms for public submissions on such applications, ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement in regulatory decisions. Notably, the Act’s application can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, allowing for detailed and specific regulatory measures tailored to particular circumstances or technological advancements in offshore operations.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the Act) relevant to this notice include sections 226 and 708. Section 226(3) allows a person to make a written submission to the Titles Administrator regarding an application for variation of a pipeline licence. This notice, which appears in the Australian Government Gazette, informs the public of the application for variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL8 by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd. The application includes specific changes to the pipeline route as detailed in the First Schedule, and modifications to the materials of construction, protective coating, and cathodic protection as outlined in the Second Schedule.
The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, the applicants, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, must provide a detailed application for the variation of the pipeline licence, including the proposed changes to the pipeline route and materials. They must ensure that all modifications comply with the provisions of the Act and any relevant regulations. Additionally, the applicants must allow a 30-day period for written submissions from the public, as mandated by section 226(3) of the Act. During this period, any person can make a submission to the Titles Administrator about the application.
Breaches of the provisions of the Act or the terms of the pipeline licence can result in various civil or criminal consequences. For instance, if the applicants fail to comply with the notification requirements or if they implement the variations without proper approval, they may face penalties as outlined in the Act. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are intended to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework governing offshore petroleum activities in Australia. The Act also provides for the enforcement of compliance through court orders, including injunctions and corrective action orders.