COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL16
(FORTESCUE TO HALIBUT) (LFK7RJ)
I, STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR, 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
STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH-VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
VARIATION OF
PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL16
- The FIRST SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text and replacing it with the following:
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 subsea cut location near the Fortescue platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Halibut platform.
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Subsea cut location near the Fortescue platform | 611587.92 | 5748203.37 |
2 | Inflection Point 04 | 611768.25 | 5748062.82 |
3 | Inflection Point 05 | 615165.48 | 5748300.51 |
4 | HLA600/650 Oil Pipeline Crossing | 615228.18 | 5748482.05 |
5 | Inflection Point 06 | 615243.79 | 5748520.50 |
6 | FVO Halibut Manifold | 615260.47 | 5748516.96 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline
- The VIC/PL16 Pipeline Route Map is deleted and replaced with the map at Attachment A.
- The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence remains unchanged.
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 establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gas in Australia's offshore areas. This Act was introduced to address the need for a unified legislative approach to managing offshore petroleum activities, ensuring environmental protection, and facilitating the sustainable development of Australia's offshore resources. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth Government and aims to provide a balanced regulatory environment that encourages investment while safeguarding the interests of the community and the environment. The Act encompasses provisions for the licensing of activities, the management of environmental impacts, and the resolution of disputes related to offshore petroleum operations. This legislative framework is designed to support the growth of the offshore petroleum industry while ensuring that operations are conducted in a manner that minimises potential risks and adverse effects on the marine environment and coastal communities.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the variation of a pipeline licence in the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically affecting the pipeline route from the Fortescue platform to the Halibut platform in Victoria. The Act allows the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, to vary the pipeline licence details, such as the route and specifications, as demonstrated in the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL16. This legislation governs entities like Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, who are the registered titleholders of the pipeline. The geographic reach of this Act is national, with the variation applying across the specified pipeline route within the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this particular variation notice, although the Act itself may contain provisions that exclude certain activities or entities. The Act can also extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or guidelines issued under the authority of the Act.
Key Provisions
The key sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 involved in this legislation pertain to the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL16 (FORTESCUE TO HALIBUT) (LFK7RJ). Specifically, section 226 allows the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to vary a pipeline licence. Section 708 provides the mechanism by which these variations are made public through the Australian Government Gazette. The variation is officially executed under section 226, and the public notification requirement is fulfilled under section 708.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the registered titleholders, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, regarding the operation and maintenance of the pipeline. They must adhere to the updated specifications outlined in the First Schedule, which detail the route of the pipeline. This includes ensuring that the pipeline design, materials, and protective coatings meet the standards specified in the Second Schedule. These standards are critical for the safe and efficient conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can lead to various consequences. Section 226 provides for the imposition of fines and other penalties for non-compliance, although the specific penalties are not detailed in this particular document. The Act also allows for more severe civil or criminal penalties in cases of serious breaches, which could include imprisonment, reflecting the high-stakes nature of offshore petroleum activities. The exact penalties are outlined in other sections of the Act and are subject to judicial discretion based on the severity and impact of the breach.