Establishment of a Petroleum Safety Zone – Notice A1221662 – Scarborough FPU - Woodside Energy Ltd - WA-61-L

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the need for stringent regulation and management of offshore petroleum activities, ensuring safety and environmental protection. This legislative framework empowers the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to enforce compliance with safety standards and to mitigate risks associated with offshore operations. The policy objective of the Act is to safeguard the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment while enabling the responsible development of offshore petroleum resources. In this context, a petroleum safety zone has been established around the Scarborough Floating Production Unit operated by Woodside Energy Ltd. This safety zone, effective from 1 July 2025, prohibits unauthorised vessels from entering the designated area, which extends to a distance of 500 metres from the outer edge of the structure. Violation of this prohibition constitutes an offence under Section 616 of the Act, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the nature of the breach.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically to the Scarborough Floating Production Unit operated by Woodside Energy Ltd. This legislation empowers the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to establish safety zones and enforce compliance with safety regulations. The Act applies to all entities involved in offshore petroleum activities, including operators, vessels, and individuals, within the specified jurisdictional reach of Australian Commonwealth waters. In this particular case, the legislation prohibits unauthorised vessels from entering a designated safety zone surrounding the Scarborough Floating Production Unit, which extends 500 metres from the outer edge of the structure. The prohibition applies from 1 July 2025 and remains in effect until revoked by a notice published in the gazette. Any contravention of this notice by an unauthorised vessel results in criminal penalties for the vessel's owner and the person in command or charge, with the severity of the penalty depending on the degree of fault, ranging from strict liability to intentional misconduct.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of this notice (A1221662) establish a petroleum safety zone around the Scarborough Floating Production Unit (FPU) operated by Woodside Energy Ltd. This zone extends 500 metres from the outer edge of the FPU, defined by specific geographic coordinates (latitude 19o 55' 33.73" South, longitude 113o 14' 29.75" East). According to Section 616 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, this safety zone is in effect from 1 July 2025 until revoked by a published notice in the gazette. The primary requirement of this notice is to prohibit any vessel other than those under the control of the registered operator or operated by authorised persons exercising specific powers under Division 5 of Part 6.6 of the Act, from entering or being present in this safety zone without written consent from NOPSEMA. The Act imposes obligations on the parties and entities it governs by ensuring the safety and environmental management of offshore petroleum activities. Specifically, this notice mandates that only authorised vessels or those controlled by the registered operator of the Scarborough FPU can enter the specified safety zone. Any other vessel entering this zone without the requisite consent commits an offence under Section 616 of the Act. The notice delineates clear boundaries and coordinates to ensure precise enforcement of the safety zone. Breaches of this notice can lead to significant consequences. According to Section 616 of the Act, any person found guilty of entering or remaining in the safety zone without consent is subject to criminal penalties. The maximum penalty varies depending on the intent behind the breach. For intentional breaches, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 15 years. For reckless breaches, the penalty is up to 12.5 years. Negligence results in a maximum penalty of 10 years, and strict liability breaches carry a maximum penalty of five years. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the safety regulations established by the Act.