Variation of Pipeline Licence WA-22-PL (Ichthys Gas Export Pipeline)

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework governing offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage in Australian waters. The Act was designed to ensure that these activities are conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner, while also facilitating the exploration and production of offshore resources. This legislative framework seeks to balance the interests of industry, environmental protection, and the public. The Act provides the legal basis for the regulation of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage, ensuring that these operations are carried out with proper oversight and adherence to safety and environmental standards. The policy objective of the Act is to promote the responsible development of Australia's offshore petroleum resources while minimising the potential environmental impacts.

Scope and Application

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 applies to the regulation and management of offshore petroleum activities and greenhouse gas storage within the Commonwealth of Australia, including the variation of pipeline licences associated with these activities. This specific variation pertains to Pipeline Licence WA-22-PL, which concerns the Ichthys Gas Export Pipeline. The Act applies to the entities involved in the pipeline operations, such as INPEX, and the geographic scope is limited to the route of the pipeline within the Commonwealth, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. The variation modifies the route of the pipeline, thereby impacting the conduct and operations associated with the pipeline's construction and maintenance. The variation is effective from the date of its publication in the Commonwealth Government Gazette, and the amended pipeline route map is attached as Annexure A. The Act may also be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, although specific details on such extensions or restrictions are not provided in this variation.

Key Provisions

The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (sections 226, 264, and 708) facilitates the variation of a pipeline licence. In this specific case, the variation pertains to Pipeline Licence WA-22-PL for the Ichthys Gas Export Pipeline. The primary change involves altering the route of the pipeline, as detailed in the document. Specifically, section 226 of the Act allows for the modification of the pipeline’s route, replacing the previous coordinates with new ones, ensuring that the pipeline starts from the Ichthys Gas Field (WA-50-L) Platform subsea export riser base at approximately Zone 51, 8459548.851mN, 532041.327mE and ends at the Commonwealth-Western Australia/Northern Territory Boundary at about Zone 52, 8615935.342mN, 434050.613mE. Additionally, section 264 of the Act provides the authority to remove a specific condition from the licence, and section 708 allows for the replacement of the pipeline route map. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, the delegate of the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator, Joanne Jennifer Bell, is mandated to ensure that the variation adheres to the statutory requirements and that the new route complies with all relevant safety, environmental, and technical standards. The licensee, responsible for the Ichthys Gas Export Pipeline, must also ensure that the updated route map accurately reflects the new coordinates and that any necessary adjustments are made to their operations accordingly. Furthermore, both parties must ensure that the variation is published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette, as per the requirements of the Act. Breach of the provisions under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 can lead to significant consequences. While the specific document does not outline penalties, the Act generally provides for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the breach, and it is essential for the parties to adhere strictly to the provisions outlined in the Act to avoid any legal repercussions.