COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226, 264 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL16
(FORTESCUE TO HALIBUT) (4LJS5S)
I, NICOLE LYNETTE FILBAY, the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority hereby vary Pipeline Licence VIC/PL16, dated 24 August 1982 (the Licence), for which:
Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd
(ACN 091 829 819)
Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd
(ACN 004 228 004)
are the registered titleholders, as set out below.
The variation takes effect on the day on which this notice of variation is published in the Australian Government Gazette.
Made under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
of the Commonwealth of Australia
NICOLE LYNETTE FILBAY
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH-VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
FIRST SCHEDULE
ROUTE OF PIPELINE
The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below (Attachment A), commencing at the cut spool location at the Fortescue platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Halibut platform.
ID | DESCRIPTION | Easting (m) | Northing (m) |
1 | Cut spool location at the Fortescue platform | 611582.32 | 5748248.88 |
2 | Inflection Point 02 | 611584.37 | 5748209.02 |
3 | Inflection Point 03 | 611592.19 | 5748196.59 |
4 | Inflection Point 04 | 611768.25 | 5748062.82 |
5 | Inflection Point 05 | 615165.48 | 5748300.51 |
6 | HLA600/650 Oil Pipeline Crossing | 615228.18 | 5748482.05 |
7 | Inflection Point 06 | 615243.79 | 5748520.50 |
8 | FVO Halibut Manifold | 615260.47 | 5748516.96 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
- The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting all the current text and replacing with the following:
SECOND SCHEDULE
SPECIFICATION
- Design
The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –
- one 300 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons;
- a flow rate of 12,874 sm3/d (0.081 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons;
- an internal maximum design pressure of 13,962 kPag (2025 psig);
- a specific gravity of 1.3 for the 300 mm weight coated pipeline (excluding contents);
- a pipeline length of approximately 3.903 km.
- Materials of Construction
- Steel Pipe
The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5LX, 22nd Edition for Grade X52 seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited Supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application, and the pipeline shall have the dimensions 323.9 mm O.D. X 12.7 mm W.T., or other pipe.
- Protective Coating
The line pipe shall be protected by a coating of fusion bonded black polyethylene having a minimum coating thickness of 2.2 mm and applied in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited specification accompanying the pipeline licence application or other coating systems.
- Weight Coating
The specification for the steel mesh reinforced weight coating and the shop application of this material to the pipe shall be in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited Protective Coatings Specifications accompanying the original pipeline licence application.
Attachment A
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the regulation and administration of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities within Australia. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legal structure governing offshore operations, ensuring environmental protection, safety, and efficient management of resources. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, with the objective of providing a coordinated approach to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities across federal and state jurisdictions. The Act facilitates the licensing and oversight of offshore petroleum activities, including the establishment of pipeline licences, and aims to balance economic benefits with the protection of marine environments and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of activities related to the exploration, production, storage, and transportation of petroleum and greenhouse gas in Commonwealth waters of Australia. Specifically, this Act governs the issuance, modification, and cancellation of pipeline licences within these waters. The Act applies to entities such as Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, which are registered titleholders of pipeline licences. The geographic scope of the Act is limited to the Commonwealth waters of Australia, which extend from the territorial sea out to the outer limits of the continental shelf. The application of the Act is further extended through subordinate instruments that detail specific operational requirements and standards for pipelines, including design specifications, materials, and protective coatings. However, the Act does not apply to activities that occur within state waters or on land, unless they directly relate to offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage operations.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 226, 264 and 708) provide the legislative framework for varying a pipeline licence. Section 226 allows the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to vary a licence, while sections 264 and 708 specify the process for such variations. This variation pertains to Pipeline Licence VIC/PL16 (4LJS5S), which is held by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd. The variation, which takes effect from the date of publication in the Australian Government Gazette, involves changes to the pipeline's route and design specifications.
The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties involved include adhering to the newly specified pipeline route, as outlined in the First Schedule, and ensuring the pipeline design and construction comply with the detailed parameters set out in the Second Schedule. Specifically, the pipeline must be a 300 mm nominal diameter steel pipe, capable of handling a flow rate of 12,874 sm³/d of liquid hydrocarbons, with an internal maximum design pressure of 13,962 kPag and a length of approximately 3.903 km. The line pipe must meet the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5LX, 22nd Edition for Grade X52 seamless pipe and must be protected by a fusion bonded black polyethylene coating with a minimum thickness of 2.2 mm.
Breaching the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 may result in various civil and criminal consequences. The specific penalties are not detailed within the provided text, but generally, such breaches could lead to fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the violation. The maximum penalties would be determined by the relevant court based on the specific circumstances of the breach and any applicable laws. The Act ensures that the pipeline operations are conducted safely and in compliance with the specified standards to protect both the environment and the public.