COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF A PIPELINE LICENCE
I, JOANNE JENNIFER BELL, Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Western Australia 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
Quadrant Oil Australia Pty Limited
(ABN 63 050 611 688)
Quadrant East Spar Pty Limited
(ABN 82 008 674 413)
Quadrant Kersail Pty Ltd
(ABN 28 087 029 169)
Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd
(ABN 35 000 670 575)
for the variation of Pipeline Licence WA-5-PL, located in the offshore area of Western Australia, 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.
JOANNE JENNIFER BELL
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–WESTERN AUSTRALIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF
PIPELINE LICENCE WA-5-PL
Pipeline Route
“The route of the pipeline shall be as described in the table below, from and including the boundary of Pipeline Licence WA-21-PL and WA-5-PL at the tie-in flange at or about 7,707,290.78mN, 290,101.15mE to the pipeline licence boundary of TPL-12 at or about 7,714,306.54mN, 330,042.88mE along a line no point of which shall be more than 125 metres from the proposed pipeline route as shown in the drawing attached to the Licence as Annexure ‘A’. The coordinates given above are relative to UTM zone 50, with Central Meridian 117 deg E based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
Feature ID | Feature Name | UTM Zone | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Boundary of WA‐21‐PL and WA‐5‐PL (start point) | Zone 50 | 290,101.15 | 7,707,290.78 |
2 | East Spar Tie‐in Flange (Connection to Z-Spool Flange) | Zone 50 | 290,117.00 | 7,707,292.00 |
3 | 14” East Spar Pipeline Flange (Connection to Z‐Spool Flange) | Zone 50 | 290,128.92 | 7,707,316.25 |
4 | Intersection Point (IP) 1 | Zone 50 | 312,897.64 | 7,710,670.05 |
5 | IP 2 | Zone 50 | 315,961.70 | 7,711,378.97 |
6 | IP 3 | Zone 50 | 320,430.55 | 7,712,179.87 |
7 | Boundary of WA‐5‐PL and TPL‐12 (end point) | Zone 50 | 330,042.88 | 7,714,306.54 |
|
Pipeline Design Parameters
The Second Schedule of Part 1 Specifications of the Licence is to be varied by:
- Removing references to the East Spar Manifold;
- Inserting details of the 14” spool that will replace the East Spar Manifold; and
- Other technical variations.
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum exploration and production activities, including the establishment and management of pipeline licences. This Act aims to ensure that activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, addressing the need for stringent controls in the offshore energy sector. The Commonwealth–Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, acting under the authority delegated by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, facilitates the administration of these provisions. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum activities with the imperative of protecting the marine environment and ensuring public safety.
This legislation allows for the regulation of pipeline licences, including the variation of existing licences, as seen in the recent application by Quadrant Oil Australia Pty Limited and associated entities for the variation of Pipeline Licence WA-5-PL. The application seeks changes to the pipeline route and design parameters, reflecting the evolving nature of offshore operations and the need for adaptability in regulatory frameworks. The process for reviewing such applications involves public consultation, ensuring transparency and community involvement in decisions that affect both economic interests and environmental protection.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the application for the variation of Pipeline Licence WA-5-PL by Quadrant Oil Australia Pty Limited, Quadrant East Spar Pty Limited, Quadrant Kersail Pty Ltd, and Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd. This application is specific to the pipeline route and design parameters as delineated within the offshore area of Western Australia, affecting the operations of these entities involved in offshore petroleum activities. The scope of the Act includes regulating the alteration of pipeline licenses, ensuring that any modifications comply with the existing legal framework governing offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage. The geographic reach of this application is limited to the offshore area of Western Australia, where the pipeline is situated, and the application must adhere to the jurisdictional regulations set forth by the Commonwealth-Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this particular application, although broader provisions within the Act may apply depending on specific circumstances. The Act may also extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments, which are not detailed in this notice but are integral to the comprehensive regulatory environment governing offshore activities in Australia.
Key Provisions
Sections 226 and 708 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 pertain to the application process for varying a pipeline licence. In this case, the application has been submitted by Quadrant Oil Australia Pty Limited, Quadrant East Spar Pty Limited, Quadrant Kersail Pty Ltd, and Santos (BOL) Pty Ltd, seeking variations to Pipeline Licence WA-5-PL, which is located in the offshore area of Western Australia. The application involves changes to the pipeline's route and design parameters, including the removal of references to the East Spar Manifold and the insertion of details about the 14” spool that will replace it. This application process is initiated by the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth–Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority.
The Act imposes several obligations on the applicants and the relevant authorities. The applicants must submit a detailed application that specifies the changes they wish to make to the existing pipeline licence. This application must include precise details about the new pipeline route and design parameters, as well as any technical specifications necessary to ensure the safe and effective operation of the pipeline. The Titles Administrator is required to publish a notice in the Australian Government Gazette to inform the public about the application and provide an opportunity for written submissions from interested parties within 30 days of the notice's publication. This ensures transparency and allows stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed changes.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act or providing false or misleading information in the application can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. Under the Act, a person who makes a false or misleading statement in an application for a licence or variation can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1.1 million for a corporation or $220,000 for an individual. Additionally, under section 708, a person who is found guilty of an offence against the Act can be subject to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the nature and severity of the offence, but they are designed to deter non-compliance and ensure that the Act's provisions are upheld.