Variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27 (Tuna to West Tuna Pipeline)

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au C2020G00416 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/PL27

(TUNA TO WEST TUNA 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/PL27, 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:

 

“respectively, Pipeline Licence No. VIC/PL27, 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.

 

The 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/PL27, 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 licensee 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 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 Tuna to West Tuna 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 Tuna platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the West Tuna platform. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).

 

ID

DESCRIPTION

EASTING

NORTHING

1

LVO Tuna Manifold

624334.33

5774392.20

2

Inflection Point 01

624323.05

5774391.92

3

TNA200 Oil Pipeline Crossing

624322.97

5774389.71

4

TNA300 Gas Pipeline Crossing

624322.87

5774386.51

5

WTN250 Oil Pipeline Crossing

624321.77

5774353.27

6

Inflection Point 02

624320.96

5774328.65

7

Inflection Point 03

621583.01

5772026.00

8

Inflection Point 04

621607.00

5772001.00

9

FVO West Tuna Manifold

621608.73

5771977.89

 

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:

 

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

(a)     one 100 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons;

(b)     flow rate of 2500 sm3/d (0.016 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons or 1.2 MMsm3/d (42.38 MMscf/d) of gaseous hydrocarbons;

(c)     an internal design pressure of 13,900 kPag;

(d)     a design temperature of 100⁰C;

(e)     a pipeline length of approximately 3.710 km;

(f)       an unburied pipeline bundle, together with the 250 mm pipeline authorised by Pipeline Licence VIC/PL28.

 

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

(a)     one 100 mm nominal diameter pipeline connected to each end of the pipeline referred to in (A)(i)(a) above;

(b)     a flow rate of 2500 sm3/d (0.016 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons or 1.20 MMsm3/d (42.38 MMscf/d) of gaseous hydrocarbons;

(c)     a design temperature of 100⁰C;

(d)     normal production at 3% water cut.”

 

b)     deleting ‘SPECIFICATION,’ Section (B) (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 line pipe shall be protected by a coating of Fusion Bonded Epoxy, 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.

 

The risers and tie-in spools from the splash zone down to the pipeline tie-in flange are coated with an Ultra High Build (UHB) epoxy. In the splash zones, the risers are wrapped in a carbon steel sleeve and a Monel sheathing.”

 

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

 

“(ii) Protective Coating”

 

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

 

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

 

“(C) Cathodic Protection”

 

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

 

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

 

i)       deleting all Part II Further Conditions, Sections (A) to (H).

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the "Act") was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for comprehensive regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within Australian waters. This legislation aimed to fill the gap left by previous laws that did not adequately cover the complexities and environmental considerations associated with offshore petroleum operations and carbon capture and storage. The Act establishes a framework to ensure the sustainable development of offshore petroleum resources, while also providing for the responsible management of greenhouse gas emissions. The policy objective of the Act is to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum activities with the need to protect the marine environment and mitigate climate change impacts. The enactment of this Act reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to managing offshore activities in a manner that is both environmentally responsible and economically viable.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to entities engaged in offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within Australian jurisdiction. This legislation governs the licensing, exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gases offshore, ensuring environmental protection and safety. The Act applies to persons and entities involved in offshore activities, including companies like BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, as indicated in the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27. The geographic reach of this Act encompasses the Commonwealth of Australia, extending to offshore areas including those under Victorian jurisdiction. The Act provides a comprehensive regulatory framework, subject to the provisions and conditions stipulated therein, and includes the ability to issue licences and impose conditions to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. The Act also allows for the creation of subordinate regulations and directions to extend or refine its application, ensuring that all offshore activities adhere to the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the "Act") provide for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australia. Section 226 specifically addresses the variation of pipeline licences, allowing the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to modify existing licences to ensure compliance with the Act and any regulations or directions issued by the Designated Authority. Section 264 outlines the specific conditions and specifications that must be met for the construction and operation of pipelines, including design parameters, materials, and protective coatings. Section 708 deals with the enforcement and penalties for non-compliance with the Act and its regulations. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act on the parties governed by it include strict adherence to the pipeline specifications and conditions set out in the Act and its regulations. The licensee, in this case, BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd. and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, must ensure that the pipeline is constructed and operated according to the detailed specifications provided in the Second Schedule, which includes parameters such as pipeline design, flow rates, pressure, temperature, and materials of construction. The licensee is also required to comply with all applicable directions given by the Designated Authority and to adhere to the provisions of the Act and any relevant regulations. Breach of the Act or its regulations can result in various civil and criminal consequences. Under Section 708 of the Act, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Designated Authority, including fines, suspension, or revocation of the pipeline licence. The maximum penalties for offences under the Act can be substantial, depending on the severity of the breach and the specific provisions violated. For example, serious offences involving harm to the environment or endangerment of personnel could result in substantial fines and imprisonment terms, as outlined in the relevant sections of the Act and its regulations.

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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.