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/PL29 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
X[MD1]
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF
PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL29
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 ‘Manager Minerals and Petroleum Regulation of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.’
Route of the Pipeline
3. Add the as-Constructed Pipeline Co-ordinates.
4. Add the Route Map.
Specifications
5. Update the pipeline design details and parameters, including reference to relevant Australian Standards, to reflect the as-constructed Blackback to Mackerel Pipeline.
As-Constructed Pipeline Co-ordinates
The route of the Blackback to Mackerel pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the tie-in spool at the Blackback Subsea Facility and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Mackerel platform. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
1 | Blackback Subsea Tie-in Spool | 356485.00 | 5733081.00 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 635500.14 | 5733067.29 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 635447.18 | 5733075.04 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 635481.00 | 5733046.00 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 625025.28 | 5730540.03 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 622296.47 | 5734420.09 |
7 | Inflection Point 06 | 620792.03 | 5735110.66 |
8 | Inflection Point 07 | 617196.88 | 5740187.72 |
9 | Inflection Point 08 | 617157.83 | 5740175.00 |
10 | FVO Mackerel Manifold | 617126.00 | 5740174.00 |
Coordinate set above based on GDA94 / MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
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Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. This legislation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulation to manage the environmental and economic implications of offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage, ensuring sustainable development while protecting the marine environment and upholding the rights of stakeholders. The Act was enacted by the Parliament of Australia, with the policy objective of balancing the need for energy resources with environmental protection and community interests. It grants the Commonwealth authority to regulate offshore petroleum activities and storage, ensuring that operations are conducted in a safe, environmentally responsible manner.
The recent gazetted notice concerning the application for variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL29 by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd exemplifies the practical application of the Act. This application seeks to amend the pipeline licence to reflect legislative changes, update the pipeline's route and design details, and ensure compliance with current standards and practices. The notice allows for public submissions, reinforcing the Act's commitment to transparency and community involvement in regulatory processes. This ensures that the variations align with the overarching goals of the Act, promoting safe and environmentally responsible offshore petroleum activities.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to entities involved in offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Australian jurisdiction. Specifically, this notice pertains to Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd, who have applied for a variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL29 in the offshore area of Victoria. The application seeks to amend the pipeline licence to reflect legislative changes, update pipeline design details, and incorporate the as-constructed pipeline coordinates. This notice is issued by the Titles Administrator, Graeme Albert Waters, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, and it invites written submissions from any interested parties within 30 days from the date of the notice. The changes proposed are administrative in nature and are subject to the provisions and requirements set out in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 226 and 708) provides a framework for the administration of offshore petroleum activities, including the management of pipeline licences. In this instance, the Act facilitates an application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL29, which is administered by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. This application, lodged by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd, seeks several administrative amendments to the existing licence. These amendments include changing the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term (section 226(3)), removing references to former Designated Authorities or the ‘Manager Minerals and Petroleum Regulation of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’ from the licence, adding the as-constructed pipeline coordinates, including a route map, and updating the pipeline design details and parameters to reflect the current as-constructed Blackback to Mackerel Pipeline.
The application imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, they must ensure that all modifications and updates proposed in the application are accurately reflected and clearly documented, including the precise pipeline coordinates and design details. Secondly, they need to ensure that any references to outdated authorities or regulatory bodies are properly removed from the licence documentation. Additionally, the parties are required to provide any additional information or clarifications that the Titles Administrator may request during the review process. They must also ensure that the application is submitted within the specified timeframe, which is 30 days from the date of the notice published in the Australian Government Gazette.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in various civil and criminal consequences. For instance, if the application does not meet the statutory requirements or if the modifications are not accurately represented, the Titles Administrator may reject the application. In such cases, the parties may face legal challenges or penalties. Additionally, any deliberate misrepresentation or failure to comply with the legislative provisions could lead to criminal charges, which may include fines or imprisonment as stipulated by the relevant sections of the Act. The specific penalties for non-compliance are detailed within the Act, but they can include substantial financial penalties and potential imprisonment terms depending on the severity and intent of the breach.