COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226, 264 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL18
(TUNA TO FLOUNDER) (ZD6KQJ)
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/PL18, dated 10 August 1983 (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 Flounder platform and terminating at the flange upstream of the First Valve Off (FVO) on the Tuna platform.
ID | DESCRIPTION | Easting (m) | Northing (m) |
1 | Cut spool location at the Flounder platform | 625859.58 | 5758703.21 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 625872.38 | 5758703.79 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 625939.09 | 5759035.67 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 626163.92 | 5765269.69 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 625615.17 | 5770983.94 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 625630.81 | 5771109.54 |
7 | West Tuna Fluid Umbilical Crossing | 625623.46 | 5772200.20 |
8 | KPA350 South Gas Pipeline Crossing | 625623.51 | 5772222.48 |
9 | KPA350 North Gas Pipeline Crossing | 625623.33 | 5772272.70 |
10 | West Tuna Electrical Umbilical Crossing | 625623.23 | 5772300.92 |
11 | Inflection Point 06 | 625618.73 | 5773573.59 |
12 | Inflection Point 07 | 624365.90 | 5774390.58 |
13 | FVO Tuna Manifold | 624358.16 | 5774390.34 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
SECOND SCHEDULE
SPECIFICATION
- Design
The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –
- a 250 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons;
- a flow rate of 8000 sm3/d (0.050 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons & 0.85 MMsm3/d (30.02 MMscf/d) of gaseous hydrocarbons;
- an internal design pressure of 13,790 kPag;
- a design temperature of 93⁰C;
- a specific gravity of 2.0 for the 50 mm weight coated pipeline (including contents);
- a pipeline length of approximately 16 km.
Materials of Construction
- Steel Pipe
The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5L, 38th Edition 1990 for Grade X52 seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited Supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application and the pipeline shall have the dimensions 273.1 mm O.D. and 12. 7 mm W.T.
- Protective Coating
The line pipe shall be protected by a coating of Coal Tar Enamel to a thickness of not less than 3.50 mm.
- 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 regulatory framework for the exploration, development, and production of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage in Australia, ensuring both environmental protection and the efficient management of resources. This legislation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive governance over offshore energy activities, ensuring that such activities are carried out in a manner that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, the policy objective of the Act is to balance the exploitation of offshore energy resources with the preservation of marine ecosystems and the safety of operations. The Act provides a structured approach to licensing, environmental management, and incident response, thereby promoting responsible offshore energy activities.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the management and regulation of activities related to offshore petroleum exploration, production, and greenhouse gas storage within Australian waters, and specifically in this instance, the variation of a pipeline licence under the Act. The Act applies to entities such as Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, which are registered titleholders of the pipeline licence, and encompasses the geographic jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, including state waters and the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone. The variation of the pipeline licence in question pertains to the pipeline route and specifications as outlined in the schedules to the notice, which affect the operational parameters of the pipeline from the Flounder platform to the Tuna platform. The Act provides for the variation of licences through subordinate instruments, with the specific variation taking effect upon publication in the Australian Government Gazette. The Act does not explicitly outline exclusions or exemptions, but it is expected that the regulatory framework includes provisions for compliance and oversight to ensure safe and environmentally responsible operations.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 as applied to this variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL18, include the provisions that allow for the variation of the licence (Section 226), the requirement for specific specifications for the pipeline's design and materials of construction (Section 264), and the enforcement and compliance measures (Section 708). Section 226 provides the legal basis for the Delegate to modify the pipeline licence, including altering the route, specifications, or operational parameters. Section 264 specifies the technical and safety standards that the pipeline must meet, such as the diameter, flow rate, internal design pressure, and material composition. Section 708 outlines the measures for ensuring compliance with the Act and the licence terms, including potential enforcement actions.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the titleholders, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, include adherence to the specified pipeline design and materials outlined in the variation. They must ensure the pipeline is constructed and operated according to the detailed specifications provided, such as the use of API Spec 5L Grade X52 seamless pipe, a 273.1 mm outside diameter and 12.7 mm wall thickness, and a protective coating of Coal Tar Enamel. The titleholders are also required to maintain records and documentation proving compliance with these specifications and to report any incidents or non-compliance to the relevant authorities.
The Act imposes potential penalties and consequences for non-compliance with the Act and the licence terms. Under Section 708, breaches of the Act or the licence can result in enforcement actions, including fines and potential revocation of the licence. The maximum penalties for serious or repeated breaches may include substantial financial penalties and the cessation of operations. The titleholders are expected to take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance with the legislative and licencing requirements to avoid these consequences.