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 Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.
(ABN 29 004 228 004)
for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL18 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/PL18
The application seeks to effect the following administrative amendments to the licence:
Pipeline Duration, Interpretation and Conditions
- Vary the duration of the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term to reflect legislative amendment.
- Where possible, remove references in the licence to the former Designated Authorities or the ‘said Manager’.
Route of the Pipeline
3. Add the As-Constructed Pipeline Co-ordinates.
4. Add the Route Map.
Specifications and Further Conditions
5. Update the pipeline design details and parameters, including reference to relevant Australian Standards, to reflect the as-constructed Flounder to Tuna Pipeline.
6. Delete conditions 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to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority).
As-Constructed Pipeline Co-ordinates
The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the flange immediately downstream of the Last Valve Off (LVO) on the Flounder platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve Off (VFO) on the Tuna platform. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
1 | LVO Flounder Manifold | 625859.58 | 5758703.21 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 625872.38 | 5758703.79 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 625939.09 | 5759035.67 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 626163.92 | 5765269.69 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 625615.17 | 5770983.94 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 625630.81 | 5771109.54 |
7 | West Tuna Fluid Umbilical Crossing | 625623.46 | 5772200.20 |
8 | KPA350 South Gas Pipeline Crossing | 625623.51 | 5772222.48 |
9 | KPA350 North Gas Pipeline Crossing | 625623.33 | 5772272.70 |
10 | West Tuna Electrical Umbilical Crossing | 625623.23 | 5772300.92 |
11 | Inflection Point 06 | 625618.73 | 5773573.59 |
12 | Inflection Point 07 | 624365.90 | 5774390.58 |
13 | FVO Tuna Manifold | 624358.16 | 5774390.34 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA94 / MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australian waters. This Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive and coordinated regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage operations to ensure environmental protection, safety, and efficient resource management. The Act establishes the legal basis for licensing, regulating, and monitoring offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities, thereby facilitating the sustainable development of Australia's offshore energy resources. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities with the need to protect the marine environment and ensure the safety of operations.
The Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, acting on behalf of the Commonwealth, administers the Act and is responsible for issuing licenses and ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements. This includes the management of applications for variations to existing licenses, such as the recent application by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL18. The application seeks administrative amendments to the licence to reflect legislative changes, update pipeline design details, and remove outdated conditions. The public is invited to make written submissions on the application within 30 days from the date of the notice, ensuring transparency and public participation in the regulatory process.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL18, specifically in the offshore area of Victoria. The application, made by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd., pertains to modifications to the existing pipeline licence, including the duration, interpretation, conditions, route, and specifications of the pipeline. The application seeks to reflect legislative amendments, update pipeline design details, and remove conditions that have been superseded by current regulations. This Act applies to the entities involved, their conduct in relation to the pipeline, and the transactions concerning the licence variation. The geographic scope of the application is limited to the offshore area of Victoria, and the jurisdictional reach is federal under the Commonwealth of Australia, managed by the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this specific application notice, although broader exclusions or exemptions may be defined elsewhere within the Act. The application is subject to the provisions of the Act, and its extension or restriction through subordinate instruments is possible but not detailed in this notice.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the notice pertain to sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. Section 226(3) allows for a written submission to be made by a person regarding an application for the variation of a pipeline licence, within a specified timeframe. This section ensures that interested parties have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the pipeline licence. Section 708 provides the legal basis for the Titles Administrator to issue the notice regarding the application for the variation of the pipeline licence, thus formalising the process for administrative amendments to the licence.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties involved include the requirement for Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. to submit a detailed application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL18. The application must include specific administrative amendments such as changing the licence duration, updating the pipeline route and coordinates, and revising the pipeline design details. Additionally, the applicants must remove obsolete references and conditions from the licence that are no longer necessary or have been superseded by the current regulatory framework managed by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
Breaching the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in civil and criminal consequences. While the notice itself does not detail specific penalties, it is understood that non-compliance with the Act's requirements could lead to enforcement actions by the relevant authorities. Offences under the Act might attract fines or other penalties as prescribed by the legislation. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are intended to ensure adherence to safety and regulatory standards in the management of offshore petroleum activities. The Act's provisions are designed to maintain the integrity and safety of offshore operations, thus protecting both the environment and public interests.