Variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL28 (West Tuna to Tuna Pipeline)

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au C2020G00824 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/PL28

(WEST TUNA TO TUNA)

 

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/PL28, dated 14 October 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 Grant 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:

 

“respectively, Pipeline Licence No. VIC/PL28, 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:

 

“The grant of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL28, 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 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 West Tuna platform and terminating at the first flange upstream of the First Valve On (FVO) on the Tuna platform.

 

ID

DESCRIPTION

EASTING

NORTHING

1

LVO West Tuna Manifold

621613.65

5771977.89

2

Inflection Point 01

621611.71

5772003.53

3

Inflection Point 02

621590.59

5772029.44

4

Inflection Point 03

624324.31

5774329.51

5

TNA100 Gas Pipeline Crossing

624321.77

5774353.27

6

TNA300 Gas Pipeline Crossing

624318.38

5774383.00

7

TNA200 Oil Pipeline Crossing

624318.01

5774388.85

8

Inflection Point 04

624317.87

5774392.31

9

Inflection Point 05

624323.06

5774407.64

10

FVO Tuna Manifold

624333.93

5774407.81

 

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 250 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons;

(b)     a flow rate of 16000 sm3/d (0.0101 MMbbl/d) of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and water;

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

(d)     a design temperature of 100⁰C;

(e)     a pipeline length of approximately 3.7 km;

(f)       an unburied pipeline bundle, together with the 100 mm pipeline authorised by Pipeline Licence VIC/PL27, and

(g)     an external concrete weight coating of 35 mm over the fusion bonded epoxy.

 

(ii) 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 16000 sm3/d (0.0101 MMbbl/d) of liquid hydrocarbons and water;

(c)     a design temperature of 100⁰C.”

 

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

 

“The materials used in the pipeline shall conform to the following specifications.”

 

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

 

d)     deleting the current text from 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 Fusion Bonded Epoxy, 500 Microns thick, covered by 35 mm of concrete weight coating, 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 12 mm carbon steel sleeve and a 4.75 mm Monel sheath.”

 

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

 

“(ii) Protective Coating”

 

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

 

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

 

“(C) Cathodic Protection”

 

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

 

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

 

j)       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 legal framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australia. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive regulatory regime governing the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gases in Australia's offshore areas. Enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, the Act aims to ensure that these activities are conducted in a safe, environmentally responsible, and economically efficient manner. The Act established the regulatory authority of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, which is responsible for issuing licences and enforcing compliance with the provisions of the Act. This legislation is vital in ensuring that the extraction and storage of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gases are managed effectively, balancing the interests of industry, environmental protection, and public safety. The Act provides the legal basis for the regulation of pipeline operations, including the specification of pipeline design, materials, construction, and operational conditions to safeguard both human life and the environment.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL28 for the construction and operation of a pipeline for the conveyance of petroleum within the offshore area of Victoria. This Act is a Commonwealth legislation that applies nationally and regulates the exploration, production, and storage of petroleum and greenhouse gas in Australia. The variation of the pipeline licence is made by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The variation of the licence is subject to the provisions of the Act, the regulations made thereunder, and any applicable directions given by the Designated Authority under the Act. The licensee, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, must comply with the provisions of the Act and Regulations, which are amended from time to time. The variation of the licence includes changes to the specifications and conditions of the pipeline, including the design, size, capacity, and route of the pipeline, as well as the construction and operation of pumping, tank, and valve stations. The variation also includes changes to the interpretation of terms used in the licence, including the definition of "Pipeline" as given in the Act. The variation of the licence is effective from the date of publication in the Commonwealth Government Gazette.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, particularly in the context of the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL28, involve specific modifications to the existing licence terms and conditions. Section 226 of the Act provides the authority to vary the terms of the pipeline licence, allowing the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator to make necessary adjustments to the operational parameters of the pipeline. Section 264 outlines the requirements for the construction and operation of the pipeline, ensuring it meets safety, environmental, and technical specifications. Finally, Section 708 mandates that the pipeline must be operated in compliance with the provisions of the Act and any regulations or directions issued by the Designated Authority. These modifications impose several obligations on the parties involved. The licensees, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton (Bass Strait) Pty. Ltd., are required to adhere strictly to the new terms outlined in the varied licence. This includes ensuring that the pipeline construction and operation align with the updated specifications, such as the design, size, and capacity of the pipeline, as well as the specific route and seabed conditions. They must also comply with the updated interpretation of terms such as 'Pipeline' and the new definitions of 'the Act' and 'the Regulations'. Furthermore, the licensees must ensure that all materials and construction methods used meet the stringent protective coating and cathodic protection standards as specified in the new licence variation. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, the regulations, or the terms of the varied licence can result in serious consequences. Under the Act, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, which may include fines, penalties, or even the suspension or revocation of the pipeline licence. The maximum penalties for breaches can vary, but they are designed to ensure that the activities associated with the pipeline comply with all legislative requirements. For instance, breaches of safety regulations can attract significant financial penalties, while more severe violations may result in criminal charges and imprisonment. These penalties serve as a deterrent against non-compliance and underscore the importance of adhering to the legislative framework governing offshore petroleum activities.

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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.