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/PL27 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/PL27
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 Tuna to West 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to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority).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 Tuna to West Tuna 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 Tuna platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the West Tuna platform. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
1 | LVO Tuna Manifold | 624334.33 | 5774392.20 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 624323.05 | 5774391.92 |
3 | TNA200 Oil Pipeline Crossing | 624322.97 | 5774389.71 |
4 | TNA300 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 624322.87 | 5774386.51 |
5 | WTN250 Oil Pipeline Crossing | 624321.77 | 5774353.27 |
6 | Inflection Point 02 | 624320.96 | 5774328.65 |
7 | Inflection Point 03 | 621583.01 | 5772026.00 |
8 | Inflection Point 04 | 621607.00 | 5772001.00 |
9 | FVO West Tuna Manifold | 621608.73 | 5771977.89 |
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to regulate the exploration, production, storage, and transportation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas in Australian waters. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legal framework governing the offshore petroleum industry, ensuring sustainable development while protecting the environment and managing potential risks associated with offshore activities. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia and aims to provide a clear and efficient regulatory environment for the offshore petroleum sector. In this context, the Act facilitates the administration of pipeline licences, including the ability to apply for variations to existing licences, as demonstrated in the recent application by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum activities with the need to protect the marine environment and ensure the safety of operations.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the proposed variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27, specifically concerning Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. The Act regulates offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Commonwealth of Australia, and in this instance, the application pertains to the offshore area of Victoria. The application seeks to amend the pipeline licence to reflect legislative changes, update pipeline design details, and remove outdated conditions. The scope of the Act extends to the administrative amendments required for the pipeline, ensuring compliance with the current regulatory regime overseen by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority. The application is subject to public submissions within 30 days of the notice's publication in the Australian Government Gazette, allowing stakeholders to provide input on the proposed changes. The Act's application is geographically confined to the offshore area of Victoria, with the specified amendments tailored to the Tuna to West Tuna Pipeline, as detailed in the notice.
Key Provisions
The application from Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. seeks to make several administrative amendments to Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27 under sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. Section 226(3) allows the Titles Administrator to consider written submissions from interested parties within 30 days of the notice being published in the Australian Government Gazette. The main changes proposed in the application include altering the duration of the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term to align with legislative amendments (section 226(3)(a)). Additionally, the application requests the removal of references to former Designated Authorities or the ‘said Manager’ from the licence where feasible (section 226(3)(b)). Furthermore, the application seeks to update the route of the pipeline by adding the As-Constructed Pipeline Coordinates and a Route Map, which detail the pipeline's path from the Tuna platform to the West Tuna platform (section 226(3)(c)).
The application also proposes updating the pipeline design details and parameters to reflect the as-constructed Tuna to West Tuna Pipeline, including referencing relevant Australian Standards (section 226(3)(d)). Additionally, it seeks to delete conditions related to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting, and approval requirements that are no longer necessary or have been superseded by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (section 226(3)(e)). These proposed changes aim to streamline the licence and ensure it aligns with current regulatory standards and practices.
Failing to comply with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, particularly in relation to the administrative amendments requested in the application, can result in significant legal consequences. The Act mandates that the Titles Administrator consider any objections or submissions received within the specified period and may refuse the application if it deems the proposed changes do not meet regulatory requirements. Non-compliance with the Act can also lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential revocation of the pipeline licence. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act are determined by the severity of the offence and can include substantial financial penalties or imprisonment, depending on the specific provisions violated.
In summary, the application seeks to make several administrative amendments to Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27, including changes to the licence duration, removal of outdated references, updating the pipeline route, and adjusting the design details to reflect the as-constructed pipeline. Interested parties have 30 days to submit written submissions to the Titles Administrator. Failure to comply with the Act's provisions can result in significant legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and potential revocation of the pipeline licence.