COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL15
(COBIA TO HALIBUT)
I, GRAEME ALBERT WATERS, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority hereby vary Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 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
GRAEME ALBERT WATERS
TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
- The FIRST SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text under the heading ROUTE OF DN150 (6”) FLEXIBLE PIPELINE and substituting the following:
The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the downstream flange on the Cobia platform riser Last Valve Off (LVO) isolation valve and terminating at the upstream flange to the Halibut platform riser First Valve On (FVO) isolation valve within a 20 m corridor (± 10 m centred on the pipeline). Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
ID | DESCRIPTION* | 2D KP** | EASTING | NORTHING | Bend Radius (m) |
CBA Riser | Cobia riser tie-in | 0.0 | 614231.4 | 5743524.2 | |
TP7b | End of pipeline curve TP7b | 0.1 | 614131.7 | 5743452.4 | 45 |
IP7 | Intersection point IP7 | | 614082.6 | 5743417.1 |
TP7a | Start of pipeline curve TP7a | 0.2 | 614062.9 | 5743474.3 |
TP6b | End of pipeline curve TP6b | 0.3 | 614042.8 | 5743532.5 | 100 |
IP6 | Intersection point IP6 | | 614027.9 | 5743576.0 |
TP6a | Start of pipeline curve TP6a | 0.4 | 614051.1 | 5743615.6 |
TP5b | End of pipeline curve TP5b | 0.4 | 614063.7 | 5743637.1 | 50 |
IP5 | Intersection point IP5 | | 614066.8 | 5743642.5 |
TP5a | Start of pipeline curve TP5a | 0.4 | 614068.6 | 5743648.6 |
TP4b | End of pipeline curve TP4b | 2.6 | 614667.4 | 5745743.2 | 50 |
IP4 | Intersection point IP4 | | 614667.5 | 5745743.5 |
TP4a | Start of pipeline curve TP4a | 2.6 | 614667.6 | 5745743.9 |
TP3b | End of pipeline curve TP3b | 3.7 | 614948.5 | 5746786.8 | 50 |
IP3 | Intersection point IP3 | | 614948.7 | 5746787.6 |
TP3a | Start of pipeline curve TP3a | 3.7 | 614948.9 | 5746788.3 |
TP2b | End of pipeline curve TP2b | 4.2 | 615114.9 | 5747335.1 | 50 |
IP2 | Intersection point IP2 | | 615115.1 | 5747335.5 |
TP2a | Start of pipeline curve TP2a | 4.2 | 615115.2 | 5747336.0 |
Crossing | Crossing of redundant CBA300 pipeline and HLA100 fuel gas pipeline | 5.3 | 615400.7 | 5748346.4 | |
TP1b | End of pipeline curve TP1b | 5.3 | 615413.8 | 5748393.3 | 50 |
IP1 | Intersection point IP1 | | 615423.6 | 5748428.4 |
TP1a | Start of pipeline curve TP1a | 5.4 | 615393.1 | 5748448.5 |
HLA Riser | Halibut riser tie-in | 5.5 | 615309.6 | 5748503.4 | |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA94 / MGA Zone 55 and is the centreline for the pipeline corridor.
* The flexible pipeline was laid from the Halibut to Cobia platforms, hence the curves are in the reverse order from the KPs that start at the Cobia platform and which are in the direction of the process flow.
** KP = Kilometre Point (approximate. Start point defined as the riser tie-in location at Cobia.)
2. The FIRST SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the Cobia-Halibut Petroleum Pipeline route schematic and replacing it with the map at Attachment 1.
3. The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by changing the CBA riser length in item 3 of the table ‘Basis of Design – Cobia and Halibut Platform risers’ from 200 m (approximate) to 100 m (approximate).
Attachment 1
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL15
Cobia to Halibut Pipeline Route Map
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a regulatory framework for the exploration, development, production, and storage of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas in Australian waters. This legislation was introduced to address the need for effective management and regulation of offshore petroleum activities, ensuring that they are conducted in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and economically efficient. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia and its primary policy objective is to balance the interests of the Commonwealth, the states, and the industry while ensuring the protection of the marine environment. The Act empowers the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to grant licences and permits for offshore petroleum activities, as well as to impose conditions and requirements on these activities to mitigate potential environmental impacts and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
The 2019 variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, made by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, demonstrates the ongoing role of the Act in regulating offshore petroleum activities. This variation, published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette, adjusts the route of the Cobia to Halibut flexible pipeline, altering specific coordinates, bend radii, and intersection points. Additionally, the variation modifies the CBA riser length from approximately 200 metres to 100 metres. These changes reflect the need for precise and adaptive regulation of offshore infrastructure to accommodate operational requirements and safety considerations.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Commonwealth of Australia, extending to the territorial sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Australia. This Act provides the legislative framework for the management and licensing of activities related to offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage, including the issuance and variation of pipeline licences. Specifically, this legislation applies to entities engaged in offshore petroleum operations, such as pipeline installation and maintenance, within the specified geographic scope. The Act allows for variations to pipeline licences to ensure that the operations comply with the latest technical, safety, and environmental standards. The variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15, as detailed in the Gazette, pertains to the modification of the pipeline route and specifications for the Cobia to Halibut pipeline, reflecting updated operational requirements or corrections to the original licence details. The variation is applicable within the defined jurisdictional reach of the Commonwealth and the state of Victoria, encompassing the offshore petroleum activities regulated under this Act.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the variation to the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth) (OPGGS Act) are outlined in the First Schedule. This variation updates the pipeline route from the Cobia platform to the Halibut platform, providing a detailed description of the pipeline's path, including coordinates and specific points of intersection and bends, as well as replacing the previous schematic with a new map (sections 226 and 708). Additionally, the Second Schedule modifies the CBA riser length from approximately 200 metres to approximately 100 metres. These changes are effective from the date a notice of the variation is published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette.
Under the OPGGS Act, the parties governed by this variation must adhere to the updated pipeline route and specifications detailed in the First Schedule. This includes ensuring that the pipeline installation follows the new coordinates and path, and that all intersections and bends are correctly implemented as described. Furthermore, the CBA riser length must be adjusted to the new specification of approximately 100 metres. These obligations are essential for maintaining compliance with the licence terms and conditions and ensuring safe and efficient pipeline operations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the OPGGS Act or the terms of the varied Pipeline Licence VIC/PL15 can result in significant legal consequences. Offences under the OPGGS Act may lead to enforcement actions, fines, or even the suspension or revocation of the pipeline licence. The maximum penalties for offences can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. It is critical for the parties involved to strictly adhere to the updated specifications and maintain compliance to avoid any potential legal repercussions.