COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Section 271
Section 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
SURRENDER OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION PERMIT WA-549-P
I, JOANNE JENNIFER BELL, 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-549-P as described by the blocks hereunder, of which
Santos Offshore Pty Ltd
(ACN 005 475 589)
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 SE50 (Rowley Shoals)
Block No. | Block No. |
3340 | 3341 |
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.
JOANNE JENNIFER BELL
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, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, was introduced to regulate and manage offshore petroleum exploration and production activities within Australia's jurisdiction, including the regulation of greenhouse gas storage. The Act establishes a comprehensive framework for the licensing, exploration, and production of offshore petroleum resources, with a focus on environmental protection, safety, and efficient resource management. It was designed to address the need for coordinated governance and regulatory oversight of offshore petroleum activities, ensuring sustainable development while mitigating potential environmental impacts. The policy objective of the Act is to facilitate the responsible and efficient exploration and production of offshore petroleum resources while protecting the marine environment and promoting the interests of the Commonwealth and the relevant state or territory.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities within the Australian Commonwealth and its territories. This Act is applicable to entities involved in the exploration and production of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage, including companies, corporations, and individuals who hold permits or titles under the Act. The Act encompasses a broad range of activities, from the exploration and production of petroleum resources to the storage of greenhouse gases in offshore areas. Geographically, the Act extends to all offshore areas of Australia, including the territorial sea, the continental shelf, and the extended continental shelf as defined by international law. The Act also sets out specific provisions for the surrender of petroleum exploration permits, as demonstrated by the surrender of Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-549-P by Santos Offshore Pty Ltd. The Act allows for the surrender of such permits through subordinate instruments and provides for exclusions and exemptions where necessary, ensuring that its provisions are applied in a manner that balances environmental protection with economic activity.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 271 and 708) facilitate the surrender of petroleum exploration permits. Specifically, section 271 allows for the surrender of a petroleum exploration permit by the registered titleholder, while section 708 pertains to the formal notice of such surrender. In this case, section 271 enables Santos Offshore Pty Ltd to relinquish its rights and obligations under Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-549-P. The formal notice of this surrender, mandated by section 708, must be published in the Australian Government Gazette to effectuate the change.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. The registered titleholder, in this instance Santos Offshore Pty Ltd, must notify the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator of their intention to surrender the permit. This notification must be in accordance with the provisions of section 271 and must detail the specific permit and blocks being surrendered. Additionally, the Delegate of the Titles Administrator, acting on behalf of the Commonwealth-Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, must issue a formal notice of surrender, as required by section 708. This notice must be published in the Australian Government Gazette and must include precise details of the permit and the blocks involved.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can result in legal consequences. Although specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the provided text, breaches of the Act could potentially lead to enforcement actions, fines, or other civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would depend on the specific breach and the jurisdiction's regulatory framework. For instance, non-compliance with notification requirements might result in administrative penalties, while more severe breaches could lead to criminal charges, depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the relevant authorities.