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 a variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL20 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/PL20
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 Director’.
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 Bream A to West Kingfish 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to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority).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 Bream A to West Kingfish pipeline is described in the table below, commencing at the pig launcher on the Bream A platform, proceeding in a straight line with some minor deflections and terminating at the pig receiver on the West Kingfish platform. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
0 | Launcher at Bream A Platform (Start Point) | 567329 | 5738469 |
1 | Riser at Bream A Platform | 567360 | 5738416 |
2 | Deflection point | 567653 | 5738407 |
3 | Deflection point | 568878 | 5738327 |
4 | Deflection point | 595918 | 5727871 |
5 | Deflection point | 596253 | 5727802 |
6 | Riser at West Kingfish Platform | 596260 | 5727801 |
7 | Receiver at West Kingfish Platform (End Point) | 596254 | 5727797 |
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 to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within Australian waters. This Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive governance and regulation of offshore energy operations, ensuring environmental protection and safety while facilitating resource development. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia, with the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator acting on behalf of the relevant offshore petroleum joint authority. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the development of offshore petroleum resources with the protection of the marine environment and the safety of operations.
A recent application under this Act involves Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, seeking a variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL20 in the offshore area of Victoria. The application aims to amend the licence duration, update pipeline design details to reflect the as-constructed pipeline, and remove outdated conditions that are no longer relevant under the current regulatory regime overseen by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority. This amendment seeks to ensure the pipeline operations align with current legislative standards and operational realities.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the application for a variation of a pipeline licence in the offshore area of Victoria. Specifically, the Act pertains to Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd, the entities seeking the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL20. This application involves amendments to the licence duration, interpretation, conditions, route, and specifications, reflecting legislative changes and current regulatory requirements. The Act's jurisdiction extends to the Commonwealth and state of Victoria, ensuring that the application and its outcomes comply with federal and state regulations governing offshore petroleum activities and pipeline operations. The application is open to public submissions within 30 days from the date of the notice appearing in the Australian Government Gazette, allowing stakeholders to provide input on the proposed variations.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (section 708) allows for the variation of a pipeline licence through an application process. The current application, received by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, is from Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd. The application seeks to amend Pipeline Licence VIC/PL20 in the offshore area of Victoria. Specifically, the application proposes varying the duration of the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term (section 708). Additionally, it seeks to update the pipeline route, including adding As-Constructed Pipeline Coordinates and a Route Map (section 708). The application also proposes to modify the pipeline design details and parameters to reflect the current, as-constructed Bream A to West Kingfish pipeline, updating references and deleting obsolete conditions (section 708).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. The applicants, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, must submit a detailed application that complies with the provisions of the Act. The application must specify the administrative amendments proposed, such as the changes to the licence duration, pipeline route, and design details. The Titles Administrator is required to publish a notice of the application in the Australian Government Gazette, inviting public submissions within 30 days (subsection 226(3)). The applicants must also ensure that all proposed changes are consistent with the current regulatory framework and standards, particularly those overseen by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act or the terms of the licence may result in various consequences. Under the Act, breaches of licence conditions can lead to administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. For example, if the applicants fail to provide accurate and complete information in their application, or if they propose changes that are not in accordance with the Act, they may face enforcement actions. The specific penalties for breaches depend on the nature and severity of the offence. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The maximum penalties for certain offences under the Act can be substantial, reflecting the importance of compliance with offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage regulations.