COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Section 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 section 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 Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.
(ABN 29 004 228 004)
for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL19 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 VICPL/19
The application seeks to effect the following amendments to the licence:
Pipeline Duration, Interpretation and Conditions
- Vary the duration of the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term.
- 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 Snapper to Marlin 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to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority).
As Constructed Pipeline Co-ordinates
The route of the Snapper to Marlin pipeline is described in the table below, commencing at the pipeline riser at the Snapper platform, proceeding in a straight line with some minor deflections and terminating at the Marlin platform at the pipeline riser. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
0 | Launcher at Snapper Platform | 589800 | 5772160 |
1 | Riser at Snapper Platform | 589803 | 5772166 |
2 | Deflection point | 591112 | 5771834 |
3 | Deflection point | 592762 | 5771304 |
4 | Deflection point | 593502 | 5771194 |
5 | Deflection point | 594112 | 5770994 |
6 | Deflection point | 594752 | 5770904 |
7 | Deflection point | 598112 | 5770084 |
8 | Deflection point | 598912 | 5769934 |
9 | Deflection point | 599312 | 5769789 |
C1 | Crossing at VIC/PL2 (MLA500) | 604756 | 5768423 |
10 | Deflection point | 604912 | 5768384 |
C2 (11) | Crossing at VIC/PL41 (MLB450) | 606538 | 5768058 |
C3 | Crossing at VIC/SL9 (MLA150) | 606760 | 5767928 |
12 | Riser at Marlin Platform | 606836 | 5767917 |
13 | Receiver at Marlin Platform | 606852 | 5767932 |
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 framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities, ensuring both environmental protection and efficient resource management. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legislative structure that governs the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gases in Australia's offshore areas, thereby balancing industrial activity with environmental stewardship. The policy objective of the Act is to facilitate the responsible development of offshore resources while safeguarding the marine environment and public interests. The Act empowers the relevant authorities, such as the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, to manage and regulate pipeline activities, including variations to existing licences, as illustrated by the recent application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL19 by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to entities involved in offshore petroleum activities, specifically those seeking variations to pipeline licences within the offshore area of Victoria. The Act, which is Commonwealth legislation, covers the management and regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage. This notice pertains to an application by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL19. The application seeks to amend the duration, interpretation, and conditions of the pipeline licence, update pipeline design details, and remove obsolete conditions. The application's geographic reach is limited to the offshore area of Victoria, and it is subject to the provisions of the Act and any subordinate instruments that may extend or restrict its application. Interested parties have 30 days from the notice publication date to submit written submissions to the Titles Administrator regarding this application. This notice becomes effective on the date it appears in the Australian Government Gazette.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the notice pertain to the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL19 under section 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. The application by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd seeks to alter the licence’s duration from a fixed term to an indefinite term and to modify other specific details of the pipeline’s operation and design. The changes include removing references to former Designated Authorities, updating the pipeline route and coordinates, and aligning the pipeline specifications with current standards and regulatory requirements. The As-Constructed Pipeline Coordinates table provides detailed geographic data for the pipeline's route, using the Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties involved are primarily centered around the submission process and the necessary details to be provided in the application for a pipeline licence variation. The applicant must ensure that all modifications are clearly outlined, including the removal of obsolete references, the addition of precise coordinates, and the updating of design details to reflect the current pipeline configuration. Additionally, the application must be submitted in a written format, and any interested parties are granted a 30-day window to make submissions about the application, as stipulated in subsection 226(3) of the Act.
The notice also outlines the potential consequences for non-compliance with the Act’s provisions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the notice, breaches of the Act could lead to legal actions under the general provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. These could include fines, imprisonment, or other civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and the relevant jurisdictional laws.