NOTICE: A1277436
ESTABLISHMENT OF A PETROLEUM SAFETY ZONE – NOTICE A1277436 – CHEVRON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD – JULIMAR PHASE 3 DEVELOPMENT WELLS (JUA1E, JUB1A & JUB1B) AND JULB 2 SLOT MANIFOLD
Commonwealth of Australia OFFSHORE PETROLEUM AND GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE ACT 2006 PROHIBITION OF ENTRY INTO A PETROLEUM SAFETY ZONE | |
I, Chris Bourne, a representative of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority [NOPSEMA], pursuant to section 616 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the Act), hereby prohibit all vessels other than vessels under the control of Chevron Australia Pty Ltd and vessels operated by authorised persons who are exercising powers under Division 5 of Part 6.6 of the above Act from entering or being present in the area of the safety zone without the consent in writing of NOPSEMA.
This petroleum safety zone extends to a distance of 500 metres, measured from each point of the outer edge of the wells and structure as listed in Table 1 and outlined in the Figure 1 herein:
Table 1 – WA-49-L, WA-34-PL, WA-36-PL wells, equipment, and subsea structure Petroleum Safety Zones
Well / Structure | Title Area | Latitude South* | Longitude East* |
JUA1E Production Well | WA-49-L, WA-34-PL | 20° 08’ 58.753” | 115° 02’ 22.501” |
JUB1A Production Well | WA-49-L, WA-34-PL | 20° 06’ 27.931” | 115° 03’ 23.418” |
JUB1B Production Well | WA-49-L, WA-36-PL | 20° 05’ 39.071” | 115° 05’ 44.871” |
JULB 2 Slot Manifold | WA-49-L, WA-36-PL | 20° 06' 26.410" | 115° 03' 24.020" |
*Note: the above are GDA94 coordinates.
Figure 1 - WA-49-L, WA-34-PL, WA-36-PL wells, equipment, and subsea structure Petroleum Safety Zones
The safety zone for the JUA1E well will be valid from 1 December 2025 until revoked by notice published in the gazette.
The safety zones for the JUB1A and JUB1B wells, and the JULB Slot Manifold will be valid from 1 February 2026 until revoked by notice published in the gazette.
Where an unauthorised vessel enters or remains in the safety zone specified in contravention of this notice, the owner and the person in command or in charge of the vessel are each guilty of an offence against Section 616 of the Act and are punishable, upon conviction, by imprisonment for a term:
- not exceeding 15 years if the breach is determined as intentional.
- not exceeding 12.5 years if the breach is determined as recklessness.
- not exceeding 10 years if the breach is determined as negligence.
- not exceeding 5 years if the breach is determined as an offence of strict liability.
Dated this 12th day of November 2025.
Made under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Chris Bourne, Director – Exploration & Development Safety
Pursuant to the Instrument of delegation dated 31 January 2024
National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to address the need for stringent regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters, aiming to protect the marine environment, human health, and safety. This Act provides the legal framework for the regulation and oversight of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities, ensuring that these activities are conducted in a manner that minimises risks to the environment and human health. The Act was introduced by the Commonwealth Parliament and its policy objectives include ensuring the safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient exploration and production of offshore petroleum resources, as well as the safe storage of greenhouse gases. The legislation empowers the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to enforce compliance and manage safety zones around specific offshore operations, as exemplified by the prohibition of unauthorised vessel entry into designated safety zones around Chevron Australia Pty Ltd's development wells and infrastructure.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation and safety management of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage operations in Australian waters. This Act governs the establishment of safety zones around drilling and production sites to mitigate risks associated with offshore operations. The legislation applies to entities involved in offshore petroleum activities, such as Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, and mandates compliance with safety protocols to protect personnel, the environment, and assets. The Act's jurisdictional reach extends to the Commonwealth of Australia, providing a unified regulatory framework for offshore petroleum activities across state and territory boundaries. The prohibition on entry into a petroleum safety zone outlined in this notice is specifically enforced by NOPSEMA to ensure that only authorised personnel and vessels can operate within these designated areas. The exclusions and exemptions in the Act are defined by subordinate instruments, which may detail specific conditions or criteria that allow certain activities within the safety zones under strict regulatory oversight.
Key Provisions
Section 616 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the Act) provides the authority to establish a petroleum safety zone around specific offshore drilling operations. In this case, the notice A1277436 establishes a safety zone around the Julimar Phase 3 Development Wells (JUA1E, JUB1A, and JUB1B) and the JULB 2 Slot Manifold, operated by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. The safety zone extends 500 metres from the outer edges of the wells and structures, as detailed in Table 1 and Figure 1 of the notice. This safety zone is intended to ensure the safety and environmental protection during the operations.
The Act imposes specific obligations on Chevron Australia Pty Ltd and any other authorised persons conducting operations within the safety zone. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd must ensure that only vessels under its control, or those operated by authorised persons exercising powers under Division 5 of Part 6.6 of the Act, enter the safety zone. Any other vessels must not enter or be present within the safety zone without written consent from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). This requirement is critical to maintain the integrity and safety of the operations being conducted.
Breach of the safety zone prohibition can result in significant legal consequences. Under Section 616 of the Act, both the owner of an unauthorised vessel and the person in command or in charge of the vessel can be found guilty of an offence. The penalties vary depending on the nature of the breach, with maximum penalties ranging from five to fifteen years imprisonment. For instance, an intentional breach can result in up to fifteen years imprisonment, while a breach determined as negligence carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the safety zone regulations to protect both personnel and the environment.