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 Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.
(ABN 29 004 228 004)
for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL22 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/PL22
The application seeks to affect the following administrative amendments to the licence:
Pipeline Duration, Interpretation and Conditions
- Vary the duration of the licence from a fixed tern to an indefinite term to reflect legislative amendment.
2. 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 Seahorse to Barracouta 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to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority).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 Seahorse to Barracouta pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the tie-in spool at the Seahorse Subsea Facility and terminating at the first flange upstream of the FVO on the Barracouta platform. Coordinates are based on the Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
POINT ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
1 | Seahorse Wellhead | 559032.57 | 5772320.71 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 559035.82 | 5772317.85 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 559048.81 | 5772316.14 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 559042.89 | 5772303.75 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 559109.30 | 5761119.36 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 559118.17 | 5761091.86 |
7 | Inflection Point 06 | 559116.55 | 5761083.81 |
8 | BTA EHU Umbilical Crossing | 559116.83 | 5761094.90 |
9 | FVO Barracouta Manifold | 559117.23 | 5761075.68 |
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 establish a regulatory framework for the exploration, production, and storage of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legislative regime to manage the offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas industry, ensuring environmental protection and safety while facilitating economic development. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia and seeks to balance the interests of resource extraction with the imperative of environmental stewardship. The policy objective is to provide for the responsible development of Australia's offshore petroleum resources, ensuring that activities are conducted in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and economically viable. The Act aims to streamline the regulatory process, reduce duplication, and provide certainty to industry participants, while safeguarding the marine environment and the rights of affected stakeholders.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 governs the application for variation of a pipeline licence in the offshore area of Victoria. Specifically, the Act applies to Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, which have submitted an application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL22. This application seeks to amend the duration, interpretation, conditions, and specifications of the pipeline, including updates to the pipeline design details and parameters, and the removal of conditions that are no longer applicable. The geographic scope of this Act is confined to the offshore area of Victoria, falling under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The Act allows for public submissions regarding the application within 30 days from the date of the notice, which was published in the Australian Government Gazette. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but it does provide that any subordinate instruments may extend or restrict the application of the Act.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, specifically sections 226 and 708, provides the legislative framework for applications to vary offshore pipeline licences. In this instance, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, has issued a notice regarding an application by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL22 in the offshore area of Victoria. This application includes several administrative amendments to the existing licence, such as changing the licence duration from a fixed term to an indefinite term, updating pipeline design details, and modifying the conditions relating to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting, and approval requirements. Additionally, the application seeks to remove outdated references and add new information, such as the As-Constructed Pipeline Coordinates and a Route Map.
The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved in this application process. The applicants must submit a detailed application that includes the proposed changes and provide sufficient information to support the requested variations. This includes the updated pipeline coordinates and design details, as well as a justification for any conditions that are to be removed or modified. The applicants are also required to ensure that the proposed changes comply with all relevant legislation and standards, including those enforced by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in significant legal consequences. Any party that submits an application that is deemed non-compliant with the Act, or fails to meet the requirements set out in the application process, may face penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the notice, the Act generally allows for fines and other sanctions for non-compliance with its provisions. Additionally, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator has the authority to refuse an application if it is not in accordance with the Act or if the application does not meet the necessary standards and requirements.
The application process also provides an opportunity for public submissions. Pursuant to subsection 226(3) of the Act, any person can make a written submission to the Titles Administrator about the application within 30 days from the date of the notice. This allows interested parties, including the public, to provide feedback or raise concerns about the proposed variations. This notice serves as a formal announcement of the application and is published in the Australian Government Gazette to ensure transparency and provide an opportunity for public input. It also signifies that the application process is officially underway and that the relevant authorities are considering the proposed changes.