Declaration of a Location - Crown Proteus Extension and Lasseter West

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for a regulatory framework governing the exploration, development, and production of offshore petroleum resources and the storage of greenhouse gases in Australia's maritime zones. The Act was designed to ensure the sustainable and environmentally responsible management of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage operations. It provides the legal basis for the Commonwealth–Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority to declare specific offshore areas as locations for petroleum exploration and production, as well as for greenhouse gas storage. This particular legislative instrument, Gazette C2017G00825, is a declaration made by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, Graeme Albert Waters, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The declaration pertains to the establishment of blocks in Brunswick Bay as a location for petroleum exploration under Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-502-P. The policy objective underlying this declaration is to facilitate the exploration and potential development of offshore petroleum resources in a manner that balances economic interests with environmental protection and sustainable resource management.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gas in offshore areas of Australia, with its jurisdiction extending to Commonwealth waters and overlapping state waters such as those between the Commonwealth and Western Australia. The Act governs the persons and entities involved in these activities, including those who hold or seek to hold permits or titles for exploration and production. The scope of the Act includes the regulation of conduct and transactions related to offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas operations, ensuring that these are conducted in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and in accordance with the law. This Act provides the legislative framework for the declaration of specific offshore locations for petroleum exploration, as exemplified by the declaration of Brunswick Bay blocks by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth-Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The Act can be further extended or detailed through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional specifications or regulations that support the primary objectives of the Act.

Key Provisions

Section 131 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 outlines the declaration of specific offshore blocks as a location. This declaration, made by Graeme Albert Waters, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, identifies the blocks in question, which include Block No. 1329, Map Sheet 1401, and Blocks 1470 to 1473, collectively referred to as Brunswick Bay [SD51]. These blocks are part of the Crown/Proteus Extension and Lasseter West and are subject to Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-502-P. This legal declaration formalises the status of these blocks for the purposes of offshore petroleum exploration and potential greenhouse gas storage activities. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties and entities it governs. For instance, it mandates that the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator must formally declare specific offshore blocks as a location. This declaration must include detailed information about the blocks, such as their names, numbers, and map sheet references. Additionally, the blocks must be part of an approved petroleum exploration permit. Compliance with these requirements ensures that the exploration activities are conducted within the legal framework and that the blocks are properly identified and managed. Breach of the provisions outlined in the Act can result in serious legal consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is understood that any failure to comply with the declaration requirements could lead to legal actions. In general, non-compliance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 could result in penalties, which might include fines or other administrative sanctions. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not specified in the text but would typically be determined by the relevant authorities and the severity of the violation. It is essential for entities involved in offshore petroleum exploration to adhere strictly to the Act to avoid any legal repercussions.