Establishment of a Petroleum Safety Zone – Notice A838696 – Western Gas (519-P) Pty Ltd, Title WA-519-P, Sasanof-1 Exploration Well

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australia. This Act, established by the Commonwealth Parliament, aims to ensure the safety, environmental protection, and responsible management of offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage facilities. In particular, it provides the legislative framework for the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to oversee compliance and enforce regulations to mitigate risks associated with these activities. The Act's policy objective is to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum activities with the imperative to protect the marine environment and human health. In alignment with this objective, NOPSEMA has issued a notice prohibiting entry into a designated petroleum safety zone around the Sasanof-1 exploration well. This measure is intended to safeguard the integrity of the well and the safety of personnel operating in the area. The safety zone, which extends 500 metres from the well's outer edge, is enforced from 07 May 2022 to 31 July 2022. Unauthorized vessels found within this zone face significant penalties, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This action underscores the commitment to stringent oversight and enforcement as part of the broader legislative framework established by the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

Scope and Application

The notice A838696 issued under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 by Chris Bourne, a representative of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), establishes a petroleum safety zone around the Sasanof-1 exploration well in Western Australia. This safety zone, which extends 500 metres from the well's outer edge at specified coordinates, prohibits any vessels not under the control of the registered holder of Title WA-519-P or operated by authorised persons from entering or being present in the area without written consent from NOPSEMA. The prohibition is effective from 07 May 2022 until 31 July 2022 and applies to all vessels in the specified zone, irrespective of their flag or ownership. Violation of this prohibition by the owner or person in command of an unauthorised vessel constitutes an offence under Section 616 of the Act, with penalties varying according to the level of culpability, ranging from fines to imprisonment terms up to 15 years for intentional breaches.

Key Provisions

The notice A838696, issued under section 616 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, establishes a petroleum safety zone around the Sasanof-1 exploration well. This safety zone extends to a distance of 500 metres from the outer edge of the well, which is located at specific coordinates (latitude 20:29:13.56 South, longitude 113:32:38:4 East, GDA94). The prohibition of entry into this zone applies to all vessels except those under the control of the registered holders of Title WA-519-P and those operated by authorised persons exercising their powers under Division 5 of Part 6.6 of the Act. The notice mandates that any unauthorised vessel entering or remaining in the safety zone does so without the written consent of NOPSEMA, and this prohibition is effective from 07 May 2022 until 31 July 2022. The obligations imposed by this notice are clear and specific. Vessels that are not under the control of the registered holders of Title WA-519-P or operated by authorised persons must not enter or be present within the designated safety zone. This requirement ensures that only vessels with the necessary permissions are allowed to operate within the safety zone, thereby maintaining safety and operational integrity. Additionally, any vessel that breaches this prohibition must have obtained prior written consent from NOPSEMA, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and safety protocols. The notice also outlines the potential consequences for breach of the safety zone prohibition. Any unauthorised vessel that enters or remains in the safety zone is in contravention of section 616 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. Both the owner and the person in command or in charge of the vessel are liable for an offence. The penalties vary based on the nature of the breach, with the maximum penalty for an intentional breach being imprisonment for up to 15 years. For recklessness, the maximum penalty is up to 12.5 years; for negligence, up to 10 years; and for strict liability, up to 5 years. These penalties underscore the seriousness of non-compliance with safety regulations in petroleum operations.