COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Sections 226, 264 and 708
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
VARIATION OF PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL6
(KINGFISH A TO KINGFISH B) (JLMJL6)
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/PL6, granted 1 October 1969 (the Licence), for which:
Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd
(ACN 091 829 819)
Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd
(ACN 004 228 004)
are the registered titleholders, 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
VARIATION OF
PIPELINE LICENCE VIC/PL6
- The FIRST SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text and replacing it with the following:
FIRST SCHEDULE
ROUTE OF PIPELINE
The route of the Kingfish A to Kingfish B Oil Pipeline is described in the table below, and displayed in the map below (Attachment A), commencing at the cut spool location on the sea floor near the Kingfish A platform (KFA) and terminating at the cut spool location on the sea floor near the Kingfish B platform (KFB).
ID | Description | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) |
1 | Subsea cut location near KFA at inflection point 01 | 599670.00 | 5727355.00 |
2 | KFB SSIV Umbilical Crossing | 603446.35 | 5727228.40 |
3 | KFB150 Fuel Gas Pipeline Crossing | 603446.68 | 5727228.49 |
4 | Subsea cut location near KFB at Inflection Point 02 | 603461.00 | 5727232.00 |
Coordinate set above is based on GDA94/MGA Zone 55, survey of pipeline centreline.
- The VIC/PL6 Pipeline Route Map is deleted and replaced with the map at Attachment A.
- The SECOND SCHEDULE of the Licence is varied by deleting the current text and replacing it with the following:
SECOND SCHEDULE
SPECIFICATION
- Design
The pipeline design is based on the following parameters –
- one 400 mm nominal diameter pipeline for the conveyance of liquid hydrocarbons;
- a flow rate of 20,986 standard cubic metres (sm3) (0.132 million barrels (MMbbl)) per day of liquid hydrocarbons;
- an internal maximum design pressure of 11,376 kPag (1650 psig);
- a specific gravity of 1.83 for the 400 mm weight coated pipeline (including contents);
- a pipeline length of approximately 3.836 km.
- Materials of Construction
- Steel Pipe
The line pipe shall be in accordance with the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute Specification – API Spec 5LX, 35th Edition for Grade X52 seamless pipe and Esso Australia Limited Supplemental pipe specification accompanying the pipeline licence application, the pipeline shall have the dimensions 406.4 mm O.D. x 15.9 mm W.T.
- Protective Coating
The line pipe shall be protected by a 3.2 mm coating of Coal Tar Enamel in accordance with the Esso Australia Limited Protective Coatings Specifications accompanying the original pipeline licence application.
- Cathodic Protection
Sacrificial anodes in the form of zinc bracelets shall be installed, spaced and maintained as detailed in the construction specifications and cathodic protection design, or other systems that are approved from time to time by the said Director.
Attachment A
Overview
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted to provide a framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities within Australian waters. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive regulatory regime that balances the economic benefits of offshore energy resources with environmental protection and public safety. The Act was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and its policy objectives include ensuring that offshore activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, facilitating the development of Australia's offshore petroleum resources, and providing for the long-term storage of greenhouse gases. The Act establishes a licensing system for offshore activities, sets out the rights and obligations of licence holders, and provides for the imposition of conditions to mitigate potential environmental impacts. The legislation also includes provisions for the enforcement of compliance and the imposition of penalties for breaches of the Act.
Scope and Application
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL6, which pertains to the Kingfish A to Kingfish B Oil Pipeline. This Act is a Commonwealth statute that governs the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australia. The variation of this specific pipeline licence is managed by the Delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, acting on behalf of the Commonwealth-Victoria Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority. The titleholders of the licence are Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd. The geographic reach of this Act is national, encompassing both state and Commonwealth jurisdictions, particularly in the context of offshore petroleum activities. The Act allows for the modification of pipeline licences through subordinate instruments, such as the variation of the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL6, which includes amendments to the route and specifications of the pipeline, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Key Provisions
The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the "Act") provides the legal framework for the regulation of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Australia. Section 226 of the Act allows for the variation of pipeline licences, enabling the amendment of specific details such as the route and design specifications of the pipeline. Section 264 imposes obligations on the titleholders to adhere to the updated specifications and maintain the pipeline in accordance with the Act and its associated regulations. Section 708 outlines the consequences of non-compliance with the Act, including potential penalties and enforcement actions.
Under Section 226, the Pipeline Licence VIC/PL6 has been varied to reflect new specifications concerning the route and design of the Kingfish A to Kingfish B Oil Pipeline. The variation specifies the new pipeline route, detailing its starting and ending points, and includes a revised design schedule that outlines the pipeline's diameter, flow rate, maximum internal design pressure, and specific gravity. Additionally, the variation updates the materials of construction, protective coating, and cathodic protection requirements to ensure the pipeline meets current standards and operational needs.
The obligations imposed on the titleholders, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, by Section 264 of the Act, include strict adherence to the new specifications detailed in the variation. This entails ensuring that the pipeline's route, design, and materials comply with the updated parameters. The titleholders must also maintain the pipeline in a safe and operational condition, ensuring that all protective measures, such as the specified coating and cathodic protection systems, are implemented and maintained as required.
Section 708 of the Act stipulates the potential penalties and consequences for non-compliance with the Act. Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Act, including failure to adhere to the updated specifications and operational standards for the pipeline, may result in significant penalties. The exact penalties are not specified in the text, but they may include fines, suspension or revocation of the licence, and other enforcement actions as determined by the relevant authorities. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance and the impact on safety and the environment.