COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL25
(WHITING TO SNAPPER) (XB7HHR)
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/PL25, 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
STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH-VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
VARIATION OF
PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL25
- Vary the pipeline licence name from Whiting/Snapper to Whiting to Snapper.
- 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 Whiting platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Snapper platform.
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Subsea cut location near the Whiting platform | 576466.55 | 5767189.35 |
2 | Inflection Point 03 | 576531.00 | 5767213.00 |
3 | Inflection Point 04 | 578784.81 | 5769526.63 |
4 | Inflection Point 05 | 589646.00 | 5772155.00 |
5 | Inflection Point 06 | 589763.07 | 5772173.94 |
6 | MLB450 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 589763.87 | 5772172.97 |
7 | Inflection Point 07 | 589770.28 | 5772166.33 |
8 | Inflection Point 08 | 589773.15 | 5772177.09 |
9 | SNA600 Gas Pipeline Crossing | 589774.90 | 5772176.86 |
10 | FVO Snapper Manifold | 589784.44 | 5772178.43 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline
- The VIC/PL25 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 200 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons;
- a flow rate of 3500 sm3/d (0.022 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons;
- a maximum internal design pressure of 21,000 kPag;
- a design temperature of 60⁰C;
- a specific gravity of 3.2 for the 219.1 mm x 25.4 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 219.1 mm O.D. with 25.4 mm W.T.
- 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.
Attachment A
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a regulatory framework for offshore petroleum activities, including the management of pipelines associated with these operations. The Act aims to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible conduct of offshore petroleum activities within Australian jurisdiction. The legislation was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore petroleum operations, including the licensing and oversight of offshore pipelines. This legislative framework seeks to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum activities with the imperative to protect the environment and public safety.
Under the authority of the Act, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, has the power to vary pipeline licences as necessary to ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards. This particular variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25, which adjusts the pipeline route and specifications, demonstrates the ongoing regulatory oversight provided by the Act. The variation aims to ensure that the pipeline operations continue to meet the stringent safety and environmental standards set forth in the Act, thereby safeguarding both the marine environment and public safety.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, under which this legislation operates, applies to offshore petroleum activities within the Australian Commonwealth and state jurisdiction, including the granting of licences and the regulation of pipeline operations. This particular Act applies to the registered titleholders of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25, which are Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd. The geographic reach of this Act extends to the maritime areas offshore Victoria, specifically for the pipeline route from the Whiting platform to the Snapper platform. The variation to the pipeline licence, as outlined in this document, includes specific alterations to the pipeline's name and route description, while the pipeline's specifications and materials remain unchanged. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this variation, and it is subject to the broader provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. The Act allows for further regulation and modifications through subordinate instruments, which may introduce additional conditions or requirements for the pipeline's operation.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the variation to Pipeline Licence VIC/PL25, as outlined in the Gazette notice, focus on updating the pipeline's route and specifications. The variation, which takes effect upon publication in the Australian Government Gazette, changes the name of the pipeline from "Whiting/Snapper" to "Whiting to Snapper" (section 226). The route of the pipeline is detailed in a new table and map, with specific coordinates based on the GDA 94/MGA Zone 55, replacing the previous route map (section 708). The pipeline design specifications remain consistent with the previous licence, including the use of a 200 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, a flow rate of 3500 sm3/d of liquid hydrocarbons, and a maximum internal design pressure of 21,000 kPag.
The obligations imposed on the registered titleholders, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, include adherence to the new specifications and route as outlined in the variation. The titleholders are required to ensure that the pipeline is constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the updated parameters and standards, including the materials of construction and protective coating specifications. Any modifications to the pipeline design or operations must be approved by the relevant authorities, as per the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the variation, or the terms of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, may result in legal consequences. The specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in the variation notice, but under the Act, potential consequences could include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the relevant sections of the Act and any associated regulations or guidelines. It is imperative for the titleholders to adhere strictly to the updated specifications and operational requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.