Application for Variation of a Pipeline Licence - VIC/PL15

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Sections 226 and 708

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF A PIPELINE LICENCE

I, GRAEME ALBERT WATERS, 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

(ABN 62 091 829 819)

BHP Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.

(ABN 29 004 228 004)

 for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 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.

GRAEME ALBERT WATERS

TITLES ADMINISTRATOR

ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA

OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY

APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF

PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL15

The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence to reflect the proposed repair of the Cobia to Halibut Oil Pipeline (the Cobia Pipeline Repair Project) by replacing a 5.5 km section of 300 mm (nominal) diameter steel pipeline between the risers on the Cobia and Halibut platforms with a 6” flexible pipeline.

Route of the Pipeline

1. Update the pipeline route description to reflect minor changes to the pipeline route resulting from the proposed pipeline repair (see Pipeline Coordinates below).

2.      Add a route map of the proposed repaired pipeline (see Appendix A).

Pipeline Specifications

3.      Update the existing pipeline specifications to reflect the proposed repair to the pipeline.
 

4.      Update the pipeline specifications to include additional design details and parameters.

The application also seeks to effect the following administrative amendments to the licence:

Pipeline Duration, Interpretation and Conditions

5.      Vary the duration of the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term to reflect legislative amendment.
 

6.      Where possible, remove references in the licence to the former Designated Authorities or the ‘said Director’.
 

7.      Insert standard licence wording requiring the licensee to comply with the provisions of the Act and any directions made under the Act.
 

8.      Under the heading ‘Interpretation’, delete the current text and insert definitions of  “the Act”, “the regulations” and “pipeline”.
 

9.      Delete conditions A–E of Part II of the Second Schedule, relating to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority).

Pipeline Co-ordinates

The pipeline route is described in the table below, and displayed on the attached map, commencing at the Cobia platform production tee and terminating at the Halibut platform pig receiver isolation valve, within a corridor centred on the pipeline route, along the pipeline and between the HLA and CBA platform 500m petroleum safety zone. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).

Coordinate set above is based on GDA94 / MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.

Appendix A: Cobia to Halibut Oil Pipeline Route (subject to repair)