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/PL6 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/PL6
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 Kingfish A to Kingfish B Oil 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to pipeline specifications, performance, reporting and approval requirements that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime (and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority).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 pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the flange immediately downstream of the LVO on the Kingfish A platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the FVO on the Kingfish B platform. The pipeline travels from Kingfish A, which has a depth of approximately 77 m, to Kingfish B with a depth of apprxomately 78 m. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION | EASTING | NORTHING |
1 | LVO at Kingfish A Platform | 599,671 | 5,727,369 |
2 | FVO at Kingfish B Platform | 603,459 | 5,727,233 |
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 Commonwealth Parliament to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. This legislation was introduced to address the need for effective governance and environmental management of offshore resources, ensuring that such activities are conducted in a manner that protects the marine environment while facilitating the development of Australia’s energy resources. The Act establishes the legislative basis for the issuance and management of titles and licences for offshore petroleum activities, including the regulation of pipelines necessary for the transport of oil and gas from offshore installations to onshore facilities.
The notice issued under section 708 of the Act indicates that an application for a variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL6 has been received by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator. The application seeks to update the licence to reflect legislative changes, remove outdated references, and incorporate the as-constructed pipeline coordinates and design details. The policy objective of these amendments is to align the licence with current regulatory standards and ensure that the pipeline operations comply with the most recent environmental and safety requirements, overseen by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 governs the regulation and management of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities within Australia. This Act applies to entities involved in offshore petroleum exploration, production, and storage, as well as to the conduct and transactions related to these activities. Specifically, the Act pertains to the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, which is administering the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL6. The geographic reach of this Act is limited to offshore areas, with this particular application concerning the offshore area of Victoria. The application for the variation of the pipeline licence seeks administrative amendments, including changes to the licence duration, route of the pipeline, and updated pipeline design details and parameters. The application also seeks to delete conditions that are no longer required or have been superseded under the current regulatory regime. This Act allows for the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional rules and regulations to ensure compliance and safety in offshore petroleum activities.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL6, as outlined in section 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, include amendments to the licence duration, interpretation, conditions, and pipeline route. Section 708 requires the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to provide notice of the application, specifying the proposed changes to the pipeline licence (subsection 226(3)). The application seeks to extend the licence from a fixed term to an indefinite term, update the pipeline route with as-constructed coordinates, and modify the design details and parameters of the pipeline. Additionally, it aims to remove outdated references and conditions that are no longer necessary under the current regulatory regime.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties involved include submitting a written application for the variation of the pipeline licence and providing detailed information about the proposed changes. The applicant must ensure that all modifications are in compliance with the legislative framework and that any removal of conditions or references does not compromise safety or regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the applicant must provide accurate as-constructed coordinates and a route map to clearly delineate the pipeline's path. The Titles Administrator, in turn, is required to review the application, consider any public submissions, and make a decision in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
In terms of consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance in the context of this specific notice. However, under the general framework of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, failure to comply with the provisions of the Act or with the terms and conditions of a licence can lead to enforcement actions. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of the licence, and potential legal action. The penalties for such breaches can vary, with maximum penalties often specified in the relevant sections of the Act, which may involve substantial financial penalties or imprisonment depending on the severity of the breach.