Variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL11 (Marlin a to Tee 300MM Oil Pipeline)

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au C2018G00587 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

 

Sections 226, 264 and 708

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

 

VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL11

(MARLIN A TO TEE 300MM OIL PIPELINE)

 

I, STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR, Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority hereby vary Pipeline Licence VIC/PL11, dated 25 August 1988 (the Licence), for which:

 

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.

(ABN 29 004 228 004)

 

Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd

(ABN 62 091 829 819)

 

are the registered titleholders, as set out below.

 

The variation takes effect on the day on which a notice of the variation is published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette.

 

Made under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
of the Commonwealth of Australia

 

STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR

DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR

ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY

 

 


  1. The text of the Renewal of Pipeline Licence on Page 1 is varied by:
     

a)        deleting the words:

 

“and subject to the conditions set out hereunder”

 

b)        deleting the words:

 

“the renewal of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL11, to have effect for a period of twenty-one years from and including the 25th day of August 1988”.

 

and replacing with:

 

“the renewal of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL11, in the offshore area of Victoria, subject to:

 

a)     the conditions set out in this licence;

b)     the provisions of the Act; and

c)      the provisions of the Regulations;

 

to construct and operate a pipeline for the conveyance of petroleum, of the design, size and capacity specified herein, along the route specified herein, in relation to the seabed specified herein, and to operate the pumping stations, tank stations and valve stations specified in the positions herein, to have effect from and including the 25th day of August 1988.
 

The licensee shall at all times comply with the provisions of the Act and Regulations (as amended from time to time).

 

2.      The ‘INTERPRETATION’ on Page 2 of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text under the heading ‘INTERPRETATION’

 

and

 

substituting under the heading the following:

“In this document:

 

“the Act” means the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, and includes any Act with which that Act is incorporated, and words used in this document have the same respective meanings as in the Act.

 

“the Regulations” means regulations made under the Act.

 

“Pipeline” has the meaning given in the Act.

 

3.      The FIRST SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text below the heading ‘FIRST SCHEDULE’, ‘ROUTE OF PIPELINE’

 

and

 

substituting under the heading the following:

 

“The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the Marlin A platform riser, proceeding in a straight line with some minor deflections and terminating at an existing branch valve on the 600 mm (25 inch) pipeline licenced by Pipeline Licence VIC/PL5. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).

 

ID

DESCRIPTION

EASTING

NORTHING

1

Riser at Marlin A Platform

606704

5767778

2

Deflection point

608009

5767121

3

VIC/PL5 branch valve (HLA600)

608207

5766819

Coordinate set above is based on GDA94 / MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.

 

 

 

 

4.      The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by:
 

a)      deleting the current text under Part I Specification, Section (A) Design

and

substituting under the heading Section (A) Design the following:

 

“The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –

(a)          One 300 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons;

(b)          A flow rate of 15,899 cubic metres per day or 0.1 million barrels per day of liquid hydrocarbons;

(c)          An internal maximum design pressure of 14,900 kPag;

(d)          A calculated negative buoyancy of 15 kg / 25.4 lin cm with 12.5 mm wall thickness and 25 mm concrete weight coating;

(e)          A pipeline length of approximately 1.6 km.”

 

b)     deleting from Part I Specification, Section (B) Materials of Construction, the words:

“The materials used in the pipeline shall meet the following specifications -”
 

c)      deleting the current text under Part I Specification, Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (i) Steel Pipe

and

substituting under the heading (i) Steel Pipe the following:

 

“The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5LX, 35th Edition for Grade X52 seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited Supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application, and except for the riser pipework, the pipeline shall have the dimensions
324 mm O.D. and 12.7 mm W.T.

 

The said riser pipework shall be made from two types of material. The first section of pipe, to the anchor flange, shall be made from A106 Grade B seamless line pipe. This section of the riser shall have a diameter of 323.9 mm and a wall thickness of 25.4 mm. From the flange to the bottom of the riser, API-X52 sour service seamless CS line pipe shall be used with a diameter of 323.9 mm and a wall thickness of 19.1 mm.”

 

d)     deleting Part I Specification, Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (ii) Valves and Fittings
 

e)      deleting the current text under Part I Specification, Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iii) Protective Coating

and
 

substituting under the heading (iii) Protective Coating the following:

 

“The line pipe shall be protected by a coating of 2.4 mm Coal Tar Enamel and in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited Protective Coatings Specifications accompanying the original pipeline licence application.

 

Protection of the riser pipework shall be maintained with a coating in accordance with the coating Specification No. 4.3 – Protective Coatings for Onshore Plants, Offshore Platforms and other Marine Structures. The riser shall be wrapped in a 12.7 mm thick carbon steel sleeve and coated in an ultra high build expoxy.”

 

f)       amending the numbering of Part I Specification, Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iii) Protective Coating to be:

“(ii) Protective Coating”
 

g)     amending the numbering of Part I Specification, Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iv) Weight Coating to be:

“(iii) Weight Coating”
 

h)        deleting Part I Specification, Section (D) Pressure Control
 

i)       deleting all Part II Further Conditions, Sections A to E.

 

The rest of the Second Schedule remains as stated in the licence instrument dated 25 August 1988.

 

The variation takes effect on the day on which a notice of the variation is published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette.

 

Made under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
of the Commonwealth of Australia

 

STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR

DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR

ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive regulatory regime to manage the environmental, economic, and social impacts of offshore petroleum exploration and production, as well as the storage of greenhouse gases. The Act aims to ensure the sustainable development of offshore resources while protecting the marine environment and promoting energy security. The Act vests the responsibility for the administration and enforcement of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, which operates under the authority delegated by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 governs the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL11, which is held by BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd. This legislation applies to the construction and operation of a pipeline for the conveyance of petroleum in the offshore area of Victoria. The Act and its associated regulations provide the framework for managing the pipeline's specifications, materials, and operational conditions. This includes ensuring compliance with safety standards and environmental protection measures. The geographic scope of this legislation is limited to the offshore area of Victoria, within the Commonwealth of Australia. The variation of the pipeline licence reflects changes to the operational parameters and conditions, and these changes will be enforced upon publication in the Commonwealth Government Gazette. Any further adjustments or clarifications can be made through subordinate instruments under the Act.

Key Provisions

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the Act) is the primary legislative framework governing offshore petroleum activities in Australia, including the regulation of pipelines used in these activities. Specifically, sections 226, 264, and 708 of the Act provide the legal basis for the variation of a pipeline licence, such as VIC/PL11, which pertains to the Marlin A to Tee 300mm Oil Pipeline. Section 226 of the Act allows the delegate of the Titles Administrator to vary a pipeline licence under certain conditions, while section 264 outlines the process for granting or varying a licence, and section 708 specifies the conditions that may be attached to such licences. The variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL11, as outlined in the document, imposes several obligations on the registered titleholders, BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd. The licensees must comply with the conditions set out in the licence, the provisions of the Act, and the relevant regulations. These conditions encompass the design, materials, and operational parameters of the pipeline, including the pipeline’s route, diameter, flow rate, pressure specifications, and protective coatings. The variation mandates that the licensees adhere to these specifications to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline. Failure to comply with the conditions set out in the licence, the Act, and the regulations can lead to various consequences. Under the Act, non-compliance may result in administrative actions such as notices, compliance orders, or even the revocation of the licence. Additionally, breaches of specific operational standards or safety protocols can attract criminal penalties. For instance, section 249 of the Act provides for penalties for offences such as failing to comply with a condition of a licence, which can result in fines of up to $1.2 million for individuals and $6 million for corporations. Moreover, serious breaches that lead to significant environmental damage or harm to people can result in more severe penalties, including imprisonment. The specific penalties are detailed in the regulations and can vary based on the severity and nature of the breach.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.