COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Section 271
Section 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
SURRENDER OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION PERMIT WA-281-P
I, JAGATH MUNASINGHE, Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority hereby give notice of the surrender of the whole of Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-281-P as described by the blocks hereunder, of which
INPEX Browse E&P Pty Ltd
(ACN 165 711 017)
is the registered titleholder.
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. | Block No. | Block No. | Block No. |
1836 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1978 |
1979 | 1980 | | | |
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.
JAGATH MUNASINGHE
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Australian Parliament to establish a legal and regulatory framework governing the exploration for, and production of, petroleum and the storage of greenhouse gas in Australian waters. The Act aims to ensure that activities are carried out in a manner that is environmentally responsible and economically efficient, and to provide for the administration of offshore petroleum titles and the regulation of offshore petroleum activities. It was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legislative regime that balances the exploitation of offshore petroleum resources with the protection of the marine environment. The policy objective of the Act is to facilitate the development of Australia’s offshore petroleum resources in a manner that maximises economic benefits while minimising environmental harm.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to all offshore petroleum activities within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing both state and federal waters. This legislation is primarily concerned with the regulation of exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gases in offshore areas, extending its reach to all entities and individuals involved in such activities, including companies like INPEX Browse E&P Pty Ltd. The Act provides a comprehensive framework for the management of petroleum exploration permits and licences, ensuring compliance with environmental and operational standards. The geographic scope of the Act includes all offshore areas under Australian jurisdiction, thereby affecting a broad range of industries involved in offshore petroleum and gas activities. The notice of surrender of Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-281-P, as exemplified in the case of INPEX Browse E&P Pty Ltd, is made pursuant to the Act and signifies the cessation of certain exploration activities within specified blocks in Brunswick Bay. The Act also allows for the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, thereby providing flexibility in its enforcement and application.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, particularly in relation to the surrender of the Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-281-P, include sections such as 271 and 708 (Section 271). Section 271 provides for the surrender of exploration permits, including the requirement to notify the relevant authorities, while Section 708 addresses the process for publishing such notices in the Australian Government Gazette. This notice of surrender is a formal declaration by Jagath Munasinghe, acting as the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth-Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, specifying that the entirety of the Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-281-P is being surrendered. The registered titleholder, INPEX Browse E&P Pty Ltd (ACN 165 711 017), is also identified in the notice.
The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved in the surrender of petroleum exploration permits. Firstly, the registered titleholder must formally notify the relevant authorities of their intention to surrender the permit. This notification must be comprehensive and include all pertinent details such as the exact blocks being surrendered, which in this case are specified by block numbers on Map Sheet SD51 (Brunswick Bay) (Section 271). The notice must also be published in the Australian Government Gazette to ensure transparency and legal effect (Section 708). The titleholder must adhere to the procedural requirements outlined in the Act, ensuring that all formal steps are correctly followed to effect the surrender legally and effectively.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can result in various civil or criminal consequences. The specific offences and penalties are detailed within the Act itself and may include fines or imprisonment for non-compliance, depending on the severity and intent behind the breach. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to the regulatory framework governing offshore petroleum activities. In this context, it is crucial for parties involved in the surrender process to ensure they meet all regulatory requirements to avoid potential legal repercussions.