Variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25 (Whiting to Snapper Pipeline)

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au C2020G00822 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

 

Sections 226, 264 and 708

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

 

VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL25

(WHITING TO SNAPPER)

 

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/PL25, dated 30 August 1996 (the Licence), for which:

 

Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd

(ABN 62 091 829 819)

 

BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.

(ABN 29 004 228 004)

 

 

are the registered titleholders, 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. The text of the Renewal of Pipeline Licence on Page 1 is varied by:

 

a)        deleting the words:

 

“and subject to the conditions set out hereunder, grant to:”

 

b)        deleting the words:

 

the renewal of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25, to have effect for a period of twenty-one years from and including the 30th day of August 1996.”

 

and replacing with:

 

“The renewal of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25, in the offshore area of Victoria, subject to:

 

a)     the conditions set out in this licence;

b)     the provisions of the Act; and

c)      the provisions of the Regulations;

 

to construct and operate a pipeline for the conveyance of petroleum, of the design, size, and capacity specified herein, along the route specified herein, in relation to the seabed specified herein, and to operate the pumping stations, tank stations, and valve stations specified in the positions herein, to have effect from and including the 30th day of August 1996.

 

The licensee shall at all times comply with the provisions of the Act and Regulations (amended from time to time).”

 

2.      The ‘INTERPRETATION’ on Page 2 of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text under the heading ‘INTERPRETATION’

 

and

 

substituting under the heading the following:

 

“In this document:

 

“the Act” means the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and includes any Act with which that Act is incorporated and words used in this document have the same respective meanings as in the Act; and

 

“the Regulations” means regulations made under the Act.

 

“Pipeline” has the meaning given in the Act.”

 

3.      The ‘FIRST SCHEDULE’ of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text below the heading ‘FIRST SCHEDULE,’ ‘ROUTE OF PIPELINE’

 

and

 

substituting under the heading the following:

 

“The route of the pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below, commencing at the flange immediately downstream of the Last Valve Off (LVO) on the Whiting platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Snapper platform.

 

ID

DESCRIPTION

EASTING

NORTHING

1

LVO Whiting Manifold

576454.46

5767197.97

2

Inflection Point 01

576468.46

5767187.96

3

Inflection Point 02

576471.38

5767174.56

4

Inflection Point 03

576531.00

5767213.00

5

Inflection Point 04

578784.81

5769526.63

6

Inflection Point 05

589646.00

5772155.00

7

Inflection Point 06

589763.07

5772173.94

8

MLB450 Gas Pipeline Crossing

589763.87

5772172.97

9

Inflection Point 07

589770.28

5772166.33

10

Inflection Point 08

589773.15

5772177.09

11

SNA600 Gas Pipeline Crossing

589774.90

5772176.86

12

FVO Snapper Manifold

589784.44

5772178.43

 

Coordinate set above is based on GDA94 / MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.”

 

 

 

4.      The ‘SECOND SCHEDULE’ of the Licence is varied by:

 

a)      deleting the current text under ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (A) Design

 

and

 

substituting under the heading ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (A) Design the following:

 

“The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –

(i)     one 200 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons;

(ii)      a flow rate of 3500 sm3/d (0.022 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons;

(iii)    a maximum internal design pressure of 21,000 kPag;

(iv)    a design temperature of 60⁰C;

(v)      a specific gravity of 3.2 for the 219.1 mm x 25.4 mm pipeline (including contents);

(vi)    a pipeline length of approximately 14.6 km;

 

b)     deleting the following text under ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction

 

The materials used in any repair, addition or alteration to the pipeline shall conform to the following specifications.

 

c)      deleting the current text under ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (i) Steel Pipe

 

and

 

substituting under the heading ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (i) Steel Pipe

 

The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Sec 5L, 36th Edition for Grade B seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application, and except for the riser pipework, the pipeline shall have the dimensions 219.1 mm O.D. with 25.4 mm W.T.

 

The said riser pipework shall be API Spec. 5LX, Grade X-60 seamless pipe and have the dimensions 219.1 mm O.D. and 18.3 mm W.T.

 

The connection of the said riser pipework to the line pipe shall be made by flexible jumpers as detailed in the specifications accompanying the pipeline licence application.

The flexible jumpers are fabricated from composite material manufactured by Coflexip and have a Nylon-11 pressure containing sheath.”

 

d)     deleting ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (ii) Valves and Fittings

 

e)      deleting the current text under the heading ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iii) Protective Coating

 

and

 

substituting under the heading ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iii) Protective Coating

 

The line pipe shall be protected by a coating of Taubmans HD 3005 Fusion Bonded Epoxy 400-500 Microns thick, and in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited Protective Coatings Specifications accompanying the pipeline licence application.

 

Protection of the riser pipework by an epoxy coating shall be in accordance with the Coating Specification No. 4.3 - Protective Coatings for Onshore Plants, Offshore Platforms and other Marine Structures.

 

In the splash zones, the risers are wrapped in a 10 mm carbon steel sleeve and a 4.75 mm Monel sheath.

 

f)       amending the numbering of ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iii) Protective Coating to be:

 

“(ii) Protective Coating”

 

g)     deleting ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (C) Connections to Pipeline

 

h)     amending the numbering of ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (D) Cathodic Protection to be:

 

“(C) Cathodic Protection”

 

i)       deleting ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (E) Pressure Control

 

j)       deleting all Part II Further Conditions, Sections (A) to (F).

 

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive and integrated regulatory system governing the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gases offshore. The Act was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament and its policy objective is to ensure the sustainable and environmentally responsible development of Australia's offshore petroleum resources, while also addressing potential environmental impacts, particularly those related to greenhouse gas storage. The Act establishes the legal and regulatory foundation necessary for the administration of offshore petroleum activities, including licensing, environmental protection, safety, and community engagement. Under this legislative framework, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the relevant authority, has the power to issue and vary pipeline licences. The provided document details a variation of a pipeline licence, specifically for the Whiting to Snapper pipeline, reflecting changes in operational parameters, design specifications, and materials of construction. This variation ensures compliance with the Act and its regulations, emphasising the importance of adhering to safety, environmental, and operational standards. The variation aims to facilitate the efficient and secure operation of the pipeline, while also ensuring that any modifications are in line with the overarching objectives of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25, which pertains to the construction and operation of a pipeline for the conveyance of petroleum in the offshore area of Victoria. This Act governs the operations of Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd, the registered titleholders of the pipeline licence. The variation is applicable nationwide as it is under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and executed by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The variation effectively modifies the existing licence conditions, specifying the design, size, capacity, and route of the pipeline, as well as the operational requirements of the pumping, tank, and valve stations. The new provisions are subject to the terms of the Act, the Regulations made under it, and any amendments thereof. Notably, the variation does not introduce any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is specified within the Act and its associated Regulations. The scope of the Act is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as the Regulations, which provide additional detail and specific operational standards for the pipeline's construction and maintenance.

Key Provisions

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the Act) is central to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities in Australia, including the construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore pipelines. Section 226 of the Act provides the authority to vary pipeline licences, which is exercised here in the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25 (the Licence) for the conveyance of petroleum from the Whiting platform to the Snapper platform. The variation specifies the licence's renewal, the conditions under which it operates, and the technical specifications for the pipeline's design, materials, and operation. Specifically, the Licence is renewed to operate from August 30, 1996, and it must comply with the provisions of the Act, including any regulations made under it. The obligations imposed by the Act on the licence holders, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd., are significant. They must ensure that the pipeline is constructed and operated in accordance with the detailed specifications set out in the Licence, including the design parameters, materials of construction, and protective coatings. The Licence holders are also required to adhere to the conditions set out in the Act and any relevant regulations. This includes obtaining necessary permits, maintaining safety and environmental standards, and complying with any additional conditions specified by the Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act or the Licence can result in severe consequences. The Act includes provisions for both civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Civil penalties can include fines and orders for corrective action, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment and/or fines. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach but can be substantial, reflecting the high-risk nature of offshore petroleum activities. For example, serious breaches that result in significant harm to the environment or to people could lead to maximum penalties under the Act, which are designed to deter non-compliance and ensure the safety and environmental integrity of offshore operations.

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Environmental Law
Energy Law
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.