COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226, 264 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL24
(WHITING TO SNAPPER) (NWWMSW)
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/PL24, dated 31 August 1989 (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 cut spool location at the Whiting platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Snapper platform.
ID | DESCRIPTION | Easting (m) | Northing (m) |
1 | Cut spool location at Whiting Platform | 576455.12 | 5767198.71 |
2 | Inflection Point 01 | 576470.64 | 5767188.51 |
3 | Inflection Point 02 | 576476.35 | 5767182.10 |
4 | Inflection Point 03 | 576477.24 | 5767187.62 |
5 | Inflection Point 04 | 578905.00 | 5769627.67 |
6 | Inflection Point 05 | 589635.00 | 5772160.00 |
7 | Inflection Point 06 | 589761.69 | 5772176.96 |
8 | Inflection Point 07 | 589765.60 | 5772183.01 |
9 | Inflection Point 08 | 589772.64 | 5772184.81 |
10 | SNA600 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 589772.94 | 5772183.70 |
11 | MLB450 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 589774.80 | 5772180.77 |
12 | Inflection Point 09 | 589776.15 | 5772178.23 |
13 | FVO Snapper Manifold | 589784.40 | 5772179.25 |
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 –
- one 250 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons;
- a flow rate of 2600 sm3/d (0.016 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons;
- a maximum internal design pressure of 21,000 kPag;
- a design temperature of 60⁰C;
- a specific gravity of 2.6 for the 273.1 mm x 20.6 mm pipeline (including contents);
- a pipeline length of approximately 14.6 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, 36th Edition for Grade B 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. with 20.6 mm W.T.
Attachment A
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and the storage of greenhouse gases in Australia's waters. This Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore petroleum operations to ensure environmental protection, economic benefits, and the efficient management of resources. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the need for resource extraction with environmental stewardship and safety.
The Act allows for the granting of licenses and permits for activities such as exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gases offshore. It also establishes the regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing these activities, including the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator and the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. This legislative framework ensures that offshore activities are conducted in a manner that minimises environmental impact and promotes sustainable practices.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. This legislation encompasses the licensing, operation, and environmental management of offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage projects, primarily within the Commonwealth's jurisdiction. The Act applies to entities and individuals engaged in offshore petroleum activities, including the holders of pipeline licenses such as Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd mentioned in the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL24. This particular legislation extends its reach to the geographic area specified within the licence, namely the pipeline route from the Whiting platform to the Snapper platform. The Act also allows for variations and amendments through subordinate instruments, enabling the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to modify specific aspects of the licence, such as the pipeline route, without necessitating a full re-licensing process.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 226, 264, and 708) relate to the variation of the pipeline licence for the Whiting to Snapper pipeline, specifically VIC/PL24. This variation, as described in the first schedule, details the specific route of the pipeline, which starts at the Whiting platform and ends at the Snapper platform, providing exact coordinates and inflection points along the way (section 226). The second schedule provides the technical specifications for the pipeline, including its design, materials, and dimensions (section 264). The variation is effective from the day it is published in the Australian Government Gazette (section 708).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties involved, specifically Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, include adhering to the newly defined route and specifications for the pipeline. This includes ensuring that the pipeline design complies with the stated parameters, such as the use of steel pipe in accordance with API Spec 5L, 36th Edition and Esso Australia Limited's supplemental specifications. The titleholders must also ensure that the pipeline operates within the specified parameters, including the flow rate, internal design pressure, and temperature (section 264). Furthermore, the variation mandates that all operations related to the pipeline must align with the updated route and specifications detailed in the schedules (section 226).
Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in serious consequences. Violations may lead to civil penalties, including fines, and potentially criminal charges, depending on the severity of the breach. The maximum penalties for offences under this Act can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to the regulatory framework designed to ensure safety and compliance in offshore petroleum operations. The specific penalties are not detailed in the gazette but are typically outlined in the relevant sections of the Act itself (section 708). Non-compliance could also lead to the suspension or revocation of the pipeline licence, which would halt operations and potentially result in significant financial and operational disruptions for the titleholders.