Notice of Revocation of Security Regulated Offshore Facility – Woodside Energy Limited – Ocean Legend

Overview

The Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 was enacted to address the need for enhanced security measures for maritime transport and offshore facilities within Australia. This legislation was introduced by the Australian Parliament to safeguard critical infrastructure against potential threats and to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment. The policy objective of the Act is to establish a robust framework for security regulation, requiring facilities and operators to comply with specific security measures and standards. This Act provides the legal basis for the revocation of security designations for offshore facilities, as demonstrated by the revocation notice issued for the 'Ocean Legend' facility operated by Woodside Energy Limited, reflecting the government's commitment to maintaining and updating security protocols as necessary.

Scope and Application

The Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 applies to individuals, entities, and facilities engaged in maritime transport and offshore operations within Australia's jurisdiction. This Act pertains specifically to offshore facilities that are designated as security regulated, which are typically those involved in oil and gas production. The Act's scope includes the regulation of security measures to protect these offshore facilities against acts of piracy, terrorism, and other security threats. It extends to the operators of these facilities and covers the geographic reach of Australian waters and any territorial sea or exclusive economic zone under Australian jurisdiction. The Act's application is not limited to Commonwealth waters but also includes state and territory waters where relevant agreements are in place. The revocation notice, as exemplified in the case of the 'Ocean Legend' offshore facility operated by Woodside Energy Limited, demonstrates the Act's authority to adjust the status of designated facilities based on changing circumstances or compliance reviews. The Act can also extend its application through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or ministerial directions, which may provide further detail on the specific security measures required or the procedures for facility designation and revocation.

Key Provisions

The Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 (the Act) contains provisions for the regulation of security for offshore facilities, including oil and gas platforms. Sections 17B(1) and 17C(1) of the Act provide the authority for the Regional Director to revoke the declaration of an offshore facility as a security regulated facility and to revoke the designation of an operator for such a facility. This particular notice, issued by Steven Rowson, the Regional Director, Transport Security Operations Perth, Office of Transport Security, concerns the revocation of the declaration of Woodside Energy Limited's 'Ocean Legend' as a security regulated offshore facility, and the revocation of Woodside Energy Limited's designation as the operator for that facility. These revocations are effective upon publication in the Gazette. Under the Act, parties and entities governed by it are required to comply with the regulations concerning security for offshore facilities. This includes ensuring that any offshore oil and gas facilities are appropriately designated and that operators of these facilities are correctly identified. The revocation notice highlights that the Ocean Legend facility, previously recognised as a security regulated offshore facility, is no longer subject to the security regulations outlined in the Act. Similarly, the revocation of the operator designation means that Woodside Energy Limited is no longer recognised as the operator responsible for maintaining security measures for the Ocean Legend. The Act does not explicitly state offences, penalties, or consequences for breach in this notice of revocation. However, it is understood that failure to comply with the Act's requirements can result in various legal repercussions. Typically, breaches of the Act could lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. For civil penalties, the Act may impose fines, while criminal penalties could include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring maritime and offshore security. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the provisions of the Act that were contravened.