Variation of Declared Location - Achilles/Satyr

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate the exploration, development, and production of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage in Australia's maritime zones. The Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legal framework governing the offshore petroleum industry, ensuring sustainable development while protecting the environment and balancing the interests of stakeholders. One of the key policy objectives of the Act is to facilitate the orderly and efficient development of offshore petroleum resources while minimising environmental impacts and promoting safety. The Act provides a clear legal basis for the allocation of offshore petroleum titles and the regulation of activities in Australia's maritime zones, fostering investment and economic growth in the sector. This specific gazette, issued on 4 February 2015, varies the declared location of the Achilles/Satyr petroleum exploration permit in the offshore region, adjusting the boundaries to include certain blocks. This adjustment was made by Graeme Albert Waters, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. This change aims to ensure that the permit's boundaries align with the current understanding of the field's extent and the strategic objectives of the offshore petroleum industry.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation and management of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities within Australian waters, specifically under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and the relevant state or territory authorities. This legislation applies to entities and persons involved in offshore petroleum exploration, production, and storage, encompassing the entire process from exploration permits to the operational and eventual decommissioning of offshore infrastructure. The Act’s jurisdictional reach extends across all Australian offshore areas, including state and territory waters, and it applies to both Commonwealth and state-controlled waters. Certain exclusions may apply to activities covered under other specific legislative frameworks, and the Act may be subject to variations or extensions through subordinate instruments, which provide further details on the scope and specific conditions of its application. This particular gazette, signed by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, concerns the variation of the declared location for the Achilles/Satyr offshore blocks, which are part of the Hamersley Range field, under Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-374-P.

Key Provisions

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Section 133) allows for the variation of declared offshore petroleum locations. In this instance, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, Graeme Albert Waters, has varied the Achilles/Satyr Location to include a specific set of blocks (Section 133). The blocks that now comprise the Achilles/Satyr Location are numbered 150, 151, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 363, 364, and 365, all of which are part of the Hamersley Range (SF50) field, and are named Achilles and Satyr. These blocks are the subject of Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-374-P. Entities and individuals governed by the Act must comply with the changes in the declared location as specified. This includes adhering to the newly defined blocks for the Achilles/Satyr Location and ensuring all exploration and production activities are conducted within the specified boundaries. They must also ensure that any applications for exploration or production licences align with the updated location parameters. Additionally, these entities must maintain accurate records and documentation that reflect the updated location to facilitate compliance and enforcement. Breach of the provisions under the Act can result in civil or criminal penalties. For example, if an entity conducts exploration or production activities outside the newly declared blocks without proper authorisation, they could be subject to enforcement actions. The Act does not specify exact penalties in this instance, but generally, penalties for non-compliance can include fines and potential criminal charges for severe or repeated breaches. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the offence, and the courts have the discretion to impose appropriate sanctions.