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
- 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).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
| Halibut Riser | 615309.9 | 5748503.3 |
TP1a | Start of first pipeline curve - TP1a | 615394.2 | 5748432.4 |
TP1b | End of first pipeline curve TP1b | 615410.2 | 5748380.6 |
| Crossing of Redundant CBA300 and HLA100 pipelines | 615400.2 | 5748345.2 |
TP2a | Start of second pipeline curve TP2a | 615116.5 | 5747340.6 |
TP2b | End of second pipeline curve TP2b | 615110.9 | 5747321.8 |
TP3a | Start of third pipeline curve TP3a | 614953.3 | 5746802.7 |
TP3b | End of third pipeline curve TP3b | 614945.0 | 5746773.9 |
TP4a | Start of forth pipeline curve TP4a | 614666.9 | 5745748.7 |
TP4b | End of forth pipeline curve TP4b | 614664.1 | 5745738.8 |
TP5a | Start of fith pipeline curve TP5a | 614106.6 | 5743764.5 |
TP5b | End of fith pipeline curve TP5b | 614104.7 | 5743752.6 |
TP6a | Start of sixth pipeline curve TP6a | 614097.8 | 5743539.6 |
TP6b | End of sixth pipeline curve TP6b | 614170.2 | 5743493.3 |
| Cobia Riser | 614231.7 | 5743524.1 |
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)
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to establish a legal framework governing the exploration, production, and storage of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas in Australian waters. This legislation aims to ensure that these activities are conducted in a safe, environmentally responsible, and economically efficient manner. The Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas operations to safeguard both the environment and the interests of the nation. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the exploitation of offshore resources with the protection of the marine environment and the promotion of sustainable development. The Act provides for the issuance of licenses and permits, sets out the rights and obligations of licensees, and establishes mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, administered by the Commonwealth of Australia through the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, applies to the proposed variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15, which concerns the Cobia to Halibut Oil Pipeline. This Act governs the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Australian jurisdiction, specifically in the offshore area of Victoria. The application for variation of this licence is made by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd, both of which are entities involved in offshore petroleum activities. The application seeks to amend the pipeline licence to reflect the repair of a 5.5 km section of the pipeline, including updates to the pipeline route description and specifications. Additionally, the application proposes several administrative amendments to the licence, such as updating the licence duration, incorporating standard licence wording, and redefining certain terms within the licence. This notice, published in the Australian Government Gazette, allows for public submissions within 30 days from the date of publication, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Act’s reach is confined to the offshore area of Victoria, and while the Act provides for extensions and restrictions through subordinate instruments, this particular notice pertains directly to the specified licence variation.
Key Provisions
The application, as detailed in sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, involves a request by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd to modify their existing Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 in the offshore area of Victoria. The primary objective of this application is to incorporate changes necessary for the repair of the Cobia to Halibut Oil Pipeline, specifically replacing a 5.5 km section of the pipeline with a 6” flexible pipeline. The application includes updates to the pipeline route description, the addition of a route map of the proposed repaired pipeline, and modifications to the pipeline specifications to reflect the repair and include additional design details.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties applying for this variation include providing detailed information about the proposed changes to the pipeline, including the updated route and specifications. They must also ensure that the updated route adheres to the pipeline's safety and environmental management regulations. Additionally, the application must address the administrative amendments to the licence, such as updating the licence duration, removing outdated references, inserting standard compliance requirements, and defining key terms within the licence.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can result in various consequences. The Act does not specify maximum penalties within the text provided, but typically, breaches of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage regulations can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could result in imprisonment. The severity of the penalty depends on the nature and extent of the breach, and it is enforced by the relevant regulatory authority, which in this case is the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority. Additionally, non-compliance could lead to the suspension or revocation of the pipeline licence, which would significantly impact the applicants' operations.