COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL31
(PATRICIA BALEEN)
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/PL31, dated 14 February 2002 (the Licence), for which:
Cooper Energy (PB Pipelines) Pty. Ltd.
(ACN 619 251 482)
is the registered titleholder, 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
GRAEME ALBERT WATERS
TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH–VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
- The description of the route of the pipeline is varied by deleting the current text in the Licence under the heading “Route of Pipeline” and replacing with the following text and table of coordinates:
The route of the Patricia Baleen pipeline is described in the table hereunder, and displayed in the attached map, commencing at the downstream end of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL38 (Longtom Pipeline), with tie-ins to Patricia-2 and Baleen-4, to the boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters at the 3 nautical mile State coastal waters limit.
ID | DESCRIPTION | KP (km) | EASTING (m) | NORTHING (m) | BEND RADIUS (m) |
1 | Patricia Baleen Pipeline Start | 0.000 | 627,329.93 | 5,790,283.02 | |
2 | Patricia-2 In-Line Tee | 0.001 | 627,329.20 | 5,790,283.67 | |
3 | Pipe to Patricia-2* | | 627,321.40 | 5,790,283.46 | |
4 | Baleen-4 In-Line Tee | 2.501 | 626,797.68 | 5,792,726.87 | |
5 | Pipe to Baleen-4* | | 626,787.64 | 5,792,722.71 | |
6 | Tangent 1 | 4.785 | 626,312.10 | 5,794,958.14 | 2,500 |
7 | Tangent 2 | 5.360 | 626,255.04 | 5,795,529.07 | 2,500 |
8 | Boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters with 3nm State coastal waters limit | 19.360 | 626,469.50 | 5,809,523.26 | |
|
*Wellhead/Christmas tree not part of this licence
Co-ordinate set above based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94) / Zone 55.
2. In the Schedule under Specification, section (B) Basis of Design is varied in respect to item (c) pipeline length to:
(c) a pipeline length of 19.36 km
3. The Route Map is varied by replacing the map on page four in the Licence with the following map:
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. This Act addresses the need for effective management and oversight of offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage to ensure environmental protection and sustainable development. The Act was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and aims to balance the interests of resource extraction with environmental conservation and safety. The specific variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL31 under this Act involves amending the description of the pipeline route and its length, reflecting changes necessitated by operational requirements or safety considerations. This modification is overseen by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator on behalf of the relevant offshore petroleum joint authority, ensuring compliance with the legislative requirements and maintaining the integrity of the licensing framework.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within Australian waters, including the alteration of pipeline licenses as demonstrated by the recent variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL31. This Act applies to entities such as Cooper Energy (PB Pipelines) Pty. Ltd., which holds the title to the pipeline in question, and it governs their activities within the offshore area. The geographic scope of this Act extends to Commonwealth waters, including areas managed by the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The variation of the pipeline route and specifications is made under the authority granted by this Act, ensuring that any changes comply with the legislative requirements. The Act allows for modifications through subordinate instruments, which facilitates the updating of pipeline routes and specifications as operational needs evolve. The specified exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are not detailed in the provided text, but they typically pertain to the specific conditions under which the Act's provisions can be applied or waived.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this variation to the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL31 involve the amendment of the pipeline's route and its basis of design, as well as the replacement of the existing route map. Under section 226, the route of the Patricia Baleen pipeline is altered by providing new text and coordinates, as detailed in the document (section 2). The new route begins at the downstream end of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL38 (Longtom Pipeline) and extends to the boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters at the 3 nautical mile State coastal waters limit. This modification is further detailed in a table of coordinates based on the Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94) / Zone 55. Additionally, under section 708, the pipeline length is specified as 19.36 km, replacing the previous specification in the Licence (section 2(B)(c)). The existing route map is replaced with a new map that reflects these changes (section 3).
The obligations imposed by this variation on Cooper Energy (PB Pipelines) Pty. Ltd., the registered titleholder, include adhering to the newly specified route and design parameters of the pipeline. This entails ensuring that the pipeline is constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the updated route map and coordinates. The titleholder must also ensure that all activities related to the pipeline comply with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and any other applicable legislation and regulations. Furthermore, Cooper Energy (PB Pipelines) Pty. Ltd. is responsible for any necessary notifications, permits, or approvals required to implement these changes.
Breach of the provisions outlined in this variation could result in serious consequences. Under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, failure to comply with the requirements of the pipeline licence, including the specified route and design, may be considered an offence. Depending on the nature and severity of the breach, this could lead to civil penalties, which may include fines up to a significant amount as stipulated by the Act. In more serious cases, criminal penalties may apply, potentially involving imprisonment for individuals found responsible for the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by the relevant authorities and could vary based on the specific circumstances of the offence.