COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Section 271
Section 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
SURRENDER OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION PERMIT AC/P68
I, GRAEME ALBERT WATERS, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority hereby give notice of the surrender of the whole of Petroleum Exploration Permit AC/P68 as described by the blocks hereunder, of which
Santos Offshore Pty Ltd
(ACN: 005 475 589)
Neptune Energy Bonaparte Pty Limited
(ACN: 138 853 728)
SapuraOMV Upstream (Western Australia) Pty Ltd
(ACN: 629 043 518)
are the registered titleholders.
DESCRIPTION OF BLOCKS
The reference hereunder is to the name of the map sheet of the 1:1,000,000 series prepared and published for the purposes of the Act and to the numbers of graticular sections shown thereon.
Map Sheet SD51 (Brunswick Bay)
Block No. | Block No. |
0560 | 0632 |
This notice takes effect on the day on which it appears in the Australian Government Gazette.
Made under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
of the Commonwealth of Australia.
GRAEME ALBERT WATERS
TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE TERRITORY OF ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to establish a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum exploration, production, and storage activities within Australian waters, including the management of greenhouse gas storage. This Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore activities to ensure environmental protection, sustainable resource use, and economic benefits. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia and its objective is to provide a robust legal structure for the governance of offshore petroleum operations, including the administration of permits and titles, and the oversight of activities to safeguard the marine environment. The surrender of Petroleum Exploration Permit AC/P68 under this Act exemplifies the ongoing management of offshore resources in accordance with the legislative framework established by the Act.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to entities and individuals involved in the exploration, development, and production of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. This Act specifically governs the management and regulation of offshore petroleum activities, including the issuance, surrender, and modification of permits and titles related to these activities. The Act applies to entities such as Santos Offshore Pty Ltd, Neptune Energy Bonaparte Pty Limited, and SapuraOMV Upstream (Western Australia) Pty Ltd, which are registered titleholders under Petroleum Exploration Permit AC/P68. The geographic reach of the Act extends to Commonwealth waters, including the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and it encompasses the entire process of offshore petroleum exploration and production. The Act’s provisions can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which provide further detail and regulations. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned in this notice, although the Act itself may contain provisions that address such matters. The surrender of Petroleum Exploration Permit AC/P68, as described in this notice, takes effect on the day it appears in the Australian Government Gazette, as mandated by the Act.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGSA) outlines the key provisions for the surrender of petroleum exploration permits, including the specific case of Petroleum Exploration Permit AC/P68. Under Section 271 (subsection 271(1)), the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, Graeme Albert Waters, has given notice of the surrender of the entire permit, which is effective from the date of its publication in the Australian Government Gazette. This notice involves the registered titleholders, Santos Offshore Pty Ltd, Neptune Energy Bonaparte Pty Limited, and SapuraOMV Upstream (Western Australia) Pty Ltd, who are required to relinquish their rights and interests in the permit.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the titleholders include the formal surrender of their rights and interests in the specified permit. This surrender requires the titleholders to relinquish any claims, rights, or interests they have in the exploration and potential exploitation of the petroleum resources within the permit area. The surrender process must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Act, ensuring that all legal and administrative requirements are met.
For breaches of the provisions of the OPGGSA, including the surrender of permits, there are potential civil and criminal consequences. Section 708 of the Act outlines the penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines, which can be substantial depending on the nature and severity of the breach. Criminal penalties may also apply, where individuals or corporations can face imprisonment or additional fines, particularly in cases of deliberate or negligent non-compliance. The maximum penalties for criminal offences under the OPGGSA can vary, but they are designed to enforce compliance and maintain the integrity of the regulatory framework governing offshore petroleum activities.