COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL43 (SOLE) (HHG9ZC)
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/PL43 dated 4 April 2018 (the Licence), for which:
Cooper Energy (Sole) Pty. Ltd.
ACN 613 951 429
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
STEVEN ROBERT TAYLOR
DELEGATE OF THE TITLES ADMINISTRATOR
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH-VICTORIA
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM JOINT AUTHORITY
ROUTE OF THE PIPELINE
The route is described in the table hereunder and displayed in the attached maр (Attachment 1), commencing at the Eastern side of Sole Pipeline End Manifold (PLEM) to the Boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters at 3 nm limit. Coordinates are based on Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94).
Main Sole Flowline |
| Feature Name | KP* | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) | Bend Radius (m) |
1 | Eastern side of Sole PLEM (start point) | 0.0 | 676 128 | 5 781 163 | |
2 | Turning Point 1 (IP2) | 56.3 | 626 486 | 5 807 788 | 1000 |
3 | Boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters at 3 nm State coastal waters boundary limit (end point) | 58.0 | 626 531 | 5 809 531 | |
* Kilometre point.
Tie-in Spools to Sole-3 and Sole-4 XTs |
Feature Name | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
Sole-3 Xmas Tree | 676 113 | 5 781 147 |
Sole-4 Xmas Tree | 676 137 | 5 781 181 |
Sole-3 Tie-in Spool (Tie-in Hub) | 676 115 | 5 781 147 |
Sole-4 Tie-in Spool (Tie-in Hub) | 676 135 | 5 781 181 |
SPECIFICATIONS
Design and Construction
The offshore pipeline must be designed and constructed in accordance with Offshore Standard DNV-OS-F101 – Submarine Pipeline Systems (Offshore Pipeline) as amended from time to time, which is incorporated in its entirety in Australian Standard AS2885.4 – Pipelines, Gas and Liquid Petroleum (Part 4: Submarine Pipelines) (as amended from time to time). Specifically, the design and construction phase of the pipeline must comply with DNV-OS-F101.
Basis of Design
The pipeline design is based on the following parameters:
Item | Item Description | Details |
1 | Outside diameter of pipe | 12” rigid pipeline: 305 mm |
2 | Wall thickness of pipe | 12” rigid pipeline: 17–19.4 mm |
3 | Length | 57.96 km (approximate) |
4 | Design life | 15 years (approximate) |
5 | Pipeline Material | Carbon Steel |
6 | Pipeline Steel Grade | DNV-OS-F101 Grade 450 |
7 | Pipeline Specification | DNV-OS-F101 Seamless |
8 | Minimum yield strength of pipe steel | 450 MPa |
9 | Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure | 12” rigid pipeline: 13.2 MPa 6” tie-in spools: 13.2 MPa |
10 | Maximum Design Capacity | Gas flow: 81 MMscf/d |
11 | Maximum Operating Temperature | 12” rigid pipeline: 40°C 6” tie-in spools: 40°C |
12 | Maximum Design Temperature | 12” rigid pipeline: 50°C 6” tie-in spools: 50°C |
13 | Minimum Design Temperature | 12” rigid pipeline: 0°C 6” tie-in spools: -10°C |
14 | Characteristics of substance proposed to be conveyed | Gas and condensate. |
15 | General plans and descriptions of pump stations, tank stations or valve stations and their equipment | N/A |
16 | General plans and description of pigging facilities | Temporary pig launchers and receivers will be installed at the PLEM. |
17 | Cathodic Protection | External corrosion management shall be via a low profile sacrificial cathodic anode system. Bracelet anodes, positioned approximately every 24 joints, will be connected via doubler plates welded to the pipeline. The system is designed to be maintenance free and monitored via ROV inspection and measurement where required as part of regulatory surveys. Anode design and supply will be in accordance with DNV-RP-F103. |
ATTACHMENT 1
SOLE PIPELINE ROUTE
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australian waters. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive regulatory regime that ensures the safe and environmentally responsible exploration, production, and storage of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas. The Act is administered by the Commonwealth Government through the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator and relevant Joint Authorities, reflecting a collaborative approach between the Commonwealth and states in managing offshore resources. The overarching policy objective is to balance the economic benefits of offshore petroleum activities with the protection of the marine environment and the interests of various stakeholders.
The Act establishes mechanisms for the licensing and regulation of offshore activities, including the creation of pipeline licences to facilitate the transportation of petroleum products from offshore fields to onshore facilities. This legislative framework aims to ensure that operators comply with stringent safety, environmental, and operational standards, thereby mitigating risks associated with offshore operations and promoting sustainable development in the sector.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and the storage of greenhouse gases within Australian waters. This Act is applicable to both natural and legal persons, including entities engaged in offshore petroleum exploration, production, and storage activities. Specifically, it governs the licensing and management of pipelines used for these purposes, such as the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL43 (SOLE) for Cooper Energy (Sole) Pty. Ltd. The Act extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, including state and territory waters, with the specific variation concerning the pipeline route in Victoria. The Act does not detail specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but is enforced through subordinate legislation and regulations that provide further detail on licensing and operational standards. The variation of the pipeline licence is a demonstration of how the Act allows for modifications to existing licences, ensuring that the pipeline operations meet the required safety and environmental standards.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 226 and 708) outlines the legislative framework under which the variation of Pipeline Licence VIC/PL43 is made. The variation pertains to the pipeline route and specifications for the pipeline's design and construction. Section 226 authorises the Delegate of the Titles Administrator to vary the terms and conditions of a licence, while section 708 specifies the technical standards and safety requirements for offshore pipelines. The variation specifies the new route for the pipeline, starting from the Eastern side of the Sole Pipeline End Manifold (PLEM) and ending at the boundary of Commonwealth offshore waters at a 3 nm limit. The coordinates are based on the Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94). The pipeline must be constructed to meet the requirements set out in the Offshore Standard DNV-OS-F101 – Submarine Pipeline Systems, as incorporated into Australian Standard AS2885.4 – Pipelines, Gas and Liquid Petroleum (Part 4: Submarine Pipelines).
The obligations imposed by this variation on Cooper Energy (Sole) Pty. Ltd., the registered titleholder of the pipeline licence, include ensuring the pipeline is designed and constructed in accordance with the specified standards and parameters. This involves adhering to the DNV-OS-F101 standard, which includes detailed requirements for the pipeline's outside diameter, wall thickness, length, material, and operational parameters. The company must also ensure that the pipeline is fitted with appropriate tie-in spools to connect with the Sole-3 and Sole-4 Xmas Trees and must implement a low-profile sacrificial cathodic anode system for external corrosion management. Additionally, the pipeline must be equipped with temporary pig launchers and receivers at the PLEM for pigging operations.
Breach of the provisions outlined in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can result in various civil and criminal consequences. Under section 226, the Titles Administrator may impose penalties for non-compliance with the Act's provisions. The specific penalties for breaches related to the pipeline's design and construction are not detailed in the text but can include fines or other monetary penalties. Furthermore, serious breaches that result in harm to people, the environment, or property could lead to more severe penalties, including imprisonment. The maximum penalties are not specified in the text, but they can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the specific provisions of the Act that are violated.