Variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL26 (Bream B to Bream A Pipeline)

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au C2020G00412 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/PL26

(BREAM B TO BREAM A PIPELINE)

 

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/PL26, dated 14 October 1996 (the Licence), for which:

 

 

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd.

(ABN 29 004 228 004)

 

Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd

(ABN 62 091 829 819)

 

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,”

 

b)     deleting the words:

 

“respectively, Pipeline Licence No. VIC/PL26, to have effect for a period of twenty-one (21) years from including the 14th day of October 1996, to construct and operate a pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons along the route described in the First Schedule hereto.

 

This licence is subject to the provisions of the Act, the regulations from time to time made thereunder and all applicable directions given by the Designated Authority under the Act.

 

The pipeline shall be constructed and operated in accordance with the specifications and conditions set out in the Second Schedule hereto.”

 

and replacing with:

 

“Pipeline Licence VIC/PL26, 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 14th day of October 1996.

 

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

 

2.    The ‘INTERPRETATION’ on Page 1 of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text under the heading ‘INTERPRETATION’

 

and

 

substituting under the heading ‘INTERPRETATION’ the following:

 

“In this document:

 

“the Act” means the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and includes any Act with which the 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 Bream B to Bream A 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 Bream B platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Bream A platform. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).

 

ID

DESCRIPTION

EASTING

NORTHING

1

LVO Bream B Manifold

573165.75

5736356.95

2

Inflection Point 01

573169.96

5736378.18

3

Inflection Point 02

567311.66

5738412.31

4

BMA350 Gas Pipeline Crossing

567313.12

5738464.42

5

Inflection Point 03

567313.23

5738467.90

6

FVO Bream A Manifold

567333.57

5738466.16

 

“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

“(i) The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –

(a)        one 250 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons and water;

(b)        flow rate of 7500 sm3/d (0.047 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons and water and 1.80 MMm3/d (63.57 MMscf/d) of gaseous hydrocarbons;

(c)        an internal design pressure of 24,800 kPag;

(d)        a design temperature of 70⁰C;

(e)        a pipeline length of 6.3 km;

(f)         contained inside an unburied carrier pipeline.

 

(ii) The carrier pipeline design is based on the following parameters -

(a)          one 355.6 mm O.D. with 6.4 mm W.T. pipeline.

 

(iii) The riser design is based on the following parameters –

(a)          one 250 mm nominal diameter pipeline connected to each end of the pipeline referred to in A(i)(a) above;

(b)          a flow rate of 7500 sm3/d (0.047 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons and water and 1.80 MMsm3/d (63.57 MMscf/d) of gaseous hydrocarbons;

(c)          a design temperature of 70⁰C;

(d)          full production up to 95% water cut;

(e)          operation with a maximum H2S concentration of 200 ppm and CO2 concentration of 2.7 Mol%.”

 

b)     deleting ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (ii) Flanges and Fittings;

 

c)      deleting the current text under ‘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 following:

 

“The line pipe shall be coated with 1 mm Yellow Jacket and 24 mm of Polyurethane foam 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.

 

The riser pipework in the splash zone area is protected with a 12 mm mild steel sleeve and 5 mm monel sheeting.”

 

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

 

“(ii) Protective Coating”

 

e)      deleting from ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iv) Carrier Pipe the words:

 

“accompanying the pipeline licence application”

 

f)       amending the ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) Materials of Construction, subsection (iv) Carrier Pipe to be:

 

“(iii) Carrier Pipe”

 

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

 

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

 

“(C) Cathodic Protection”

 

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

 

j)       deleting ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (F) Pressure Test

 

k)     deleting all Part II ‘FURTHER CONDITIONS,’ Sections (A) to (H).

 

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 within Australia's jurisdiction. This Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore petroleum operations, ensuring environmental protection, safety, and efficient management of resources. The Act was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, with a policy objective of facilitating the responsible development of offshore petroleum resources while minimising environmental impact and ensuring the safety of operations. The Act grants the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator the authority to issue and manage pipeline licences, as demonstrated by the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL26, reflecting ongoing adjustments to meet regulatory and operational standards. This variation, made under the Act, demonstrates the ongoing regulatory oversight required to adapt to changing conditions and technological advancements in the offshore petroleum industry. The changes to the pipeline licence include updates to the interpretation section, pipeline route description, design specifications, and materials of construction to align with current safety and operational standards. These amendments ensure that the pipeline operations comply with the stringent requirements set forth by the Act, thereby protecting both the environment and the workforce involved in offshore activities.

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 Australia, including the licensing and oversight of pipeline operations in the offshore area of Victoria. This Act extends to the variation of pipeline licences under its authority, as demonstrated by the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL26 for BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd. The variation is implemented by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth–Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, and it becomes effective upon publication in the Commonwealth Government Gazette. The Act provides a framework for the management of offshore petroleum activities, including the construction, operation, and maintenance of pipelines, ensuring compliance with specified conditions and regulatory requirements. The geographic reach of this Act is confined to the offshore area of Victoria, and it applies to the entities named in the Licence as titleholders. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but it does note that the licence is subject to the provisions of the Act, the regulations made under it, and applicable directions from the Designated Authority. Subordinate instruments may further define or restrict the application of the Act and its regulations.

Key Provisions

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 226, 264, and 708) outlines the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL26, which is pertinent to the construction and operation of a pipeline for the conveyance of petroleum from the Bream B platform to the Bream A platform. The variation includes significant amendments to the original licence conditions, specifications, and interpretations to ensure compliance with current regulations and operational requirements. For instance, section 226 requires the pipeline to adhere to specific design and operational parameters, such as the diameter, flow rate, internal pressure, temperature, and length of the pipeline. The updated specifications, detailed in the Second Schedule, stipulate that the pipeline will be a 250 mm nominal diameter pipeline with an internal design pressure of 24,800 kPag and a design temperature of 70°C, among other requirements. Under this Act, the obligations imposed on the titleholders, BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd., include the responsibility to construct and operate the pipeline in accordance with the amended specifications and conditions. This includes ensuring the pipeline is designed to handle the specified flow rates of liquid hydrocarbons, water, and gaseous hydrocarbons while maintaining operational safety standards. Additionally, the titleholders must comply with all relevant provisions of the Act and any regulations or directions issued under it. The variations to the licence also mandate specific protective coatings and cathodic protection measures to safeguard the pipeline from corrosion and environmental factors, which are detailed in the updated specifications. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 or the amended licence conditions can result in significant penalties. The Act provides for both civil and criminal penalties for breaches, which can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to safety and operational standards to protect the environment and public safety. The variations to the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL26 reflect a commitment to ensuring that the pipeline operations meet the highest standards of safety and environmental protection as mandated by the Act.

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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.