COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

NOTICE OF INVITATION FOR WORK-BID GREENHOUSE GAS ASSESSMENT PERMIT APPLICATION - 2021

I, KEITH JOHN PITT, the responsible Commonwealth Minister (the RCM), pursuant to section 296(1) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (the OPGGS Act), hereby invite applications for the grant of work-bid greenhouse gas assessment permits in respect of the blocks and within the areas described below.

Applications must be received, in the manner prescribed below, from Friday 4 March 2022 9:00 am local time at the place of submission to Thursday 10 March 4:00 pm local time at the place of submission.

Applications for the 2021 Offshore Greenhouse Gas Storage Acreage Release will not be accepted prior to Friday 4 March 2022 9:00 am local time at the place of submission.

Provisions and requirements of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Titles Administration and Other Measures) Act 2021 (the Titles Administration Act) will come into effect from 2 March 2022. Applicants are encouraged to review the Titles Administration Act to ensure they are familiar with these requirements.

Where applicable, applicants are encouraged to include information or documents which will be required following commencement of these provisions in any application.  The relevant provisions of the Titles Administration Act are:

• subsections 298(2A) and (2B) (see item 72 of Schedule 3), which provide for decision-making criteria for the grant of a work-bid greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment permit
• paragraphs 309(2)(c) and (d) and subsections 309(3A) and (4A) (see items 86 to 88 of Schedule 3), which provide for decision-making criteria for the renewal of a GHG assessment permit
• subsection 310(3A) (see item 89 of Schedule 3), which provides for new decision-making criteria for the refusal to renew a GHG assessment permit
• subsection 436(2A) (see item 187 of Schedule 3), which provides for new decision-making criteria for the variation or suspension of, or the exemption of compliance from, conditions of a GHG assessment permit, and
• section 695YB (see item 231 of Schedule 3), which provides for matters that a decision-maker must take into account.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

When preparing a bid and planning, applicants should:

• carefully consider the relevant maritime boundaries and international treaties
• take all relevant advice to inform decision-making.

Public consultation comments

Applicants are advised to review public consultation feedback comments received in relation to the 2021 Offshore Greenhouse Gas Storage Acreage Release areas they intend to bid on via Consultation Hub at https://consult.industry.gov.au/2021-ghg-acreage-release.

Trailing liability

Potential bidders should be aware that amendments to the OPGGS Act which implement the Australian Government’s expanded trailing liability policy will come into effect on 2 March 2022. Provisions and requirements of the Titles Administration Act provide that past titleholders that held a title on or after 1 January 2021, or related persons, may be called back to undertake remedial works in the former title area should issues arise in future.

Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981

Waters surrounding Australia's coastlines are protected from wastes and pollution dumped at sea by the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (the Sea Dumping Act). The Sea Dumping Act regulates the dumping of controlled waste materials at sea, including carbon dioxide (CO2) for sequestration into the sub-seabed. The Sea Dumping Act fulfils Australia's international obligations as a contracting party under the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972.

Proponents that wish to sequester CO2 in the sub-seabed in Australian waters may require a permit under the Sea Dumping Act. Proponents are recommended to contact the sea dumping section at seadumping@awe.gov.au early in their project planning to understand their obligations under the Sea Dumping Act. More information on sea dumping and Australian waters is available at

https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/marine/marine-pollution/sea-dumping.

Australian Marine Parks, Biologically Important Areas and Key Ecological Features

Investors should note that some of the gazetted areas overlap Australian Marine Parks, Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) and Key Ecological Features. For more information in relation to these areas please refer to the following:

• https://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/bias
• https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/management/

The Australian Heritage Database provides information on the National Heritage values protected as Matters of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH)

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) administers the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 (UCH Act). The requirements of the UCH Act are separate to those of the EPBC Act. Any potential titleholder who is planning to undertake works in the offshore environment should consult heritage@awe.gov.au for advice on how to mitigate risks associated with UCH.

Unexploded ordnance

There is potential for unexploded ordnance (UXO) on or in the sea floor in areas where Defence operates and especially in Air Weapons Range Areas. Proponents should be aware of the risks involved in conducting offshore exploration and development activities. The potential presence of UXO carries with it an associated risk of detonation. Defence takes no responsibility for:

• reporting the location and type of ordnance dropped in the areas of interest to the permit holders
• identification of or removal of any UXO
• any loss or damage suffered or incurred by the company or any third party arising out of, or directly related to, UXO.

As a consequence, the Australian Government provides no guarantee or indemnity regarding the safety or whereabouts of UXO.

Storage Formation Integrity

Potential bidders should be aware that the integrity of a storage formation may be affected by the presence of wells drilled within the title area or surrounding area, regardless of whether they intersect a storage formation or not. This includes any pre-title petroleum, greenhouse gas storage or stratigraphic wells and any wells drilled under an active GHG assessment permit.

Potential bidders may need to consider the impact of wells on the integrity of the storage formation and how this affects the fundamental suitability determinants of a storage formation under the OPGGS Act.

Potential bidders may be required to remediate wells to a suitable standard to allow for the safe injection and permanent storage of CO2 into a storage formation.

Foreign Investment Review Board

International investors may need to seek approval from the Australian Treasurer. See the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) website (https://firb.gov.au/) for more information. If FIRB approval is not available at the time of submission, it will need to be provided separately before any new permit award.

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009

A ‘greenhouse gas activity’ is defined in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 (Environment Regulations).

‘Seismic or exploratory drilling activity’ is also a term defined in the Environment Regulations and includes some greenhouse gas activities.

The Environment Regulations require that an environment plan (EP) for a greenhouse gas activity must be accepted by the National Offshore Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) before the activity can commence. EPs for seismic or exploratory drilling activities are subject to a 30 day public comment period before NOPSEMA can commence assessment of those environment plans. A titleholder commits an offence if they undertake an activity and there is no environment plan in force for the activity.

Information regarding environment plans, including but not limited to assessment policy, content requirements and decision-making, is available on the environmental management section of NOPSEMA’s website.

In February 2014, NOPSEMA’s environmental management authorisations process was endorsed by the Commonwealth Environment Minister as a Program that meets the requirements of Part 10 of the EPBC Act. This endorsement of the NOPSEMA Program streamlines the environmental approval processes for most offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas activities proposed in Commonwealth waters.

While titleholders for greenhouse gas exploration activities can access the streamlined environmental management authorisation arrangements under the endorsed NOPSEMA Program, titleholders of activities that include injection and/or storage of greenhouse gas cannot access the streamlined arrangements.

This means that additional environmental approvals under the EPBC Act may be required in addition to an environment plan accepted by NOPSEMA for greenhouse gas injection and / or storage activities. The NOPSEMA website provides additional information regarding the NOPSEMA EPBC Act Program, including further details on activities included within, and excluded from, the endorsed streamlined arrangements.

Duty holders should also be aware that additional safety and integrity authorisations from NOPSEMA may be required for greenhouse gas activities and associated facilities.

Seismic survey data

Potential bidders are strongly encouraged consider all available seismic data over an area to determine if further seismic acquisition is necessary in order to form a more targeted work program bid. If required potential bidders are encouraged to use new technology to formulate a more targeted proposal for work in the area.

Investors are encouraged to consider all available seismic data over an area to determine if further seismic acquisition is necessary in and to form a more targeted work program bid. Geoscience Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Information Management System (NOPIMS) can assist with determining what data is available. NOPIMS is available at

https://www.ga.gov.au/nopims.

GRATICULAR BLOCK LISTINGS

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG21-1

Bonaparte Basin, Petrel Sub-basin

Map Sheet SC52 (Melville Island)

Map Sheet SD52 (Darwin)

Assessed to contain 330 full blocks.

Australian Marine Parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-1 was known to overlap the Oceanic Shoals Marine Park Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI).

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-1 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Flatback Turtle
• Green Turtle
• Loggerhead Turtle
• Olive Ridley Turtle

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-1 was known to overlap the following key ecological features (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Sahul Shelf
• Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Van Diemen Rise
• Pinnacles of the Bonaparte Basin

Department of Defence (Defence)

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-1 was known to overlap the North Australia Exercise Area (NAXA) and the Darwin Air Weapons Range (Central & West). GHG21-1 also coincides with military restricted airspace. Non-Defence flying operations in these areas are required to be conducted in accordance with Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restrictions.

Proposed bidders should follow all procedures and restrictions relating to Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR) and NOTAM. Further information is available from the Australian Hydrographic Service and Airservices Australia.

Proponents are advised that the Minister for Defence has the authority, under the Defence Force Regulations 1952, to gazette any area of sea or airspace as a Defence Practice Area (DPA) for carrying out Defence operations or practices. Operations in these areas are required to be conducted in accordance with NOTMAR restrictions. A deed of access may be required by Defence when operating within a DPA.

To mitigate any potential risk to the safety of personnel conducting defence activities and of defence assets, the following preventable control conditions may need to be satisfied by any potential titleholders of GHG21-1:

• Abnormal operating conditions are monitored and notified within an agreed response and protocol to Marine operations (MAROPS) and the Air Operations Centre at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) to alert enhanced risk potential to vessels and aircraft operating in the NAXA and / or the North West Exercise Areas (NWXA) region impacted
• Seismic activities, such as earthquakes, are monitored and notified to the same protocols as above
• The Australian Government is indemnified for UXO events or disturbances through explosive ordnance (EO).

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-1 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

• Flat Top 1 (1970)
• Gull 1 (1970)

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG21-2

Bonaparte Basin, Petrel Sub-basin

Map Sheet SC52 (Melville Island)

Map Sheet SD52 (Darwin)

Assessed to contain 304 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-2 was known to overlap the Oceanic Shoals Marine Park Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI).

Biological important areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-2 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Flatback Turtle
• Green Turtle
• Lesser Crested Tern
• Loggerhead Turtle
• Olive Ridley Turtle

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-2 was known overlap the following key ecological features (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Sahul Shelf
• Pinnacles of the Bonaparte Basin

Department of Defence

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-2 was known to overlap the NAXA and the Darwin Air Weapons Range (West). GHG21-2 coincides with military restricted airspace. Non-Defence flying operations in these areas are required to be conducted in accordance with NOTAM restrictions.

Proposed bidders should follow all procedures and restrictions relating to NOTMAR and NOTAM. Further information is available from the Australian Hydrographic Service and Airservices Australia.

Proponents are advised that the Minister for Defence has the authority, under the Defence Force Regulations 1952, to gazette any area of sea or airspace as a DPA for carrying out Defence operations or practices. Operations in these areas are required to be conducted in accordance with NOTMAR restrictions. A deed of access may be required by Defence when operating within a DPA.

To mitigate any potential risk to the safety of personnel conducting defence activities and of defence assets, the following preventable control conditions will need to be satisfied by any potential titleholders of GHG21-2:

• Abnormal operating conditions are monitored and notified within an agreed response and protocol to MAROPS and the Air Operations Centre at HQJOC to alert enhanced risk potential to vessels and aircraft operating in the NAXA and / or the NWXA region impacted
• Seismic activities, such as earthquakes, are monitored and notified to the same protocols as above
• The Australian Government is indemnified for UXO events or disturbances through EO.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-2 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

• Billabong 1 (1992)
• Fishburn 1 (1992)
• Frigate 1 (1978)
• Frigate Deep 1 (2008)
• Marina 1 (2007)
• Marsi 1 (1996)
• Marsi 1/ST1 (1996)
• Sandpiper 1 (1971)
• Schilling 1 (1997)
• Tern 1 (1971)
• Tern 2 (1981)
• Tern 3 (1982)
• Tern 4 (1994)
• Tern 5 (1997)

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG21-3

Browse Basin, Caswell and Barcoo Sub-basins

Map Sheet SD51 (Brunswick Bay)

Assessed to contain 42 full blocks.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-3 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Pygmy Blue Whale

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-3 was known overlap the following key ecological features (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Continental Slope Demersal Fish Communities

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-3 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

• Brecknock 1 (1979)
• Brecknock 2 (2005)
• Brecknock 3 (2006)
• Brecknock 4 (2009)
• Brecknock South 1 (2000)
• Calliance 1 (2005)
• Calliance 2 (2007)
• Calliance 3 (2008)
• Snarf 1 (2008)
• Snarf 1 Top Hole (2007)

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG21-4

Northern Carnarvon Basin, Dampier Sub-basin

Map Sheet SE50 (Rowley Shoals)

Assessed to contain 22 full blocks.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-4 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Whale Shark

• Wedge-Tailed Shearwater
• Pygmy Blue Whale

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-4 was known overlap the following key ecological features (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour
• Glomar Shoals

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-4 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

• Achernar 1 (2019)
• Angel 1 (1971)
• Angel 1A (1971)
• Angel 2 (1972)
• Angel 3 (1973)
• Angel 4 (1990)
• Angel AP 2 (2007)
• Angel AP 3 (2007)
• Angel AP 4 (2006)
• Angel AP 4H (2006)
• Carteret 1 (2003)
• Cavalier 1 (2000)
• Cossack 1 (1989)
• Cossack 2 (1991)
• Cossack 3 (1992)
• Cossack 4 (1994)
• Cossack 5 (2005)
• Cossack 6 (2005)
• Cossack 6/ST1 (2005)
• Eaglehawk 1 (1972)
• Egret 1 (1972)
• Egret 2 (1998)
• Egret 3 (2003)
• Lambert 1 (1973)
• Lambert 1/ST1 (1974)
• Lambert 2 (1996)
• Lambert 3 (1997)
• Lambert 4 (1998)
• Lambert 5 (2000)
• Lambert 5/ST1 (2000)
• Lambert 6 (2004)
• Lambert 7 (2006)
• Lambert 8 (2008)
• Lambert 8A (2008)
• Lambert 8B (2008)
• Lambert 9 (2009)
• Madeleine 1 (1969)
• Maia 1 (2001)
• Montague 1 (1984)
• Montague 1/ST1 (1985)
• Montague 1/ST2 (1985)
• Nereus 1 (2008)
• Patriot 1 (2001)
• Seraph 1 (2011)
• Seraph 1/ST1 (2011)
• Spica 1 (1996)
• Walcott 1 (1979)
• Walcott 1/ST1 (1979)
• Wanaea 1 (1988)
• Wanaea 1/ST1 (1989)
• Wanaea 10 (2006)
• Wanaea 10/ST1 (2006)
• Wanaea 11 (2009)
• Wanaea 11A (2009)
• Wanaea 2 (1990)
• Wanaea 2A (1990)
• Wanaea 3 (1990)
• Wanaea 4 (1992)
• Wanaea 5 (1992)
• Wanaea 6 (1994)
• Wanaea 7 (1994)
• Wanaea 7/ST1 (1994)
• Wanaea 8 (2004)
• Wanaea 9 (2005)
• Wanaea 9H (2006)
• Wanaea 9H/ST1 (2006)

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG21-5

Northern Carnarvon Basin, Dampier Sub-basin

Map Sheet SE50 (Rowley Shoals)

Map Sheet SF50 (Hamersley Range)

Assessed to contain 45 full blocks.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-5 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Flatback Turtle
• Whale Shark
• Wedge-Tailed Shearwater
• Humpback Whale
• Pygmy Blue Whale

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-5 was known overlap the following key ecological features (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Glomar Shoals

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG21-5 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

• Antelope 1 (2000)
• Argos 1 (2002)
• Baleena 1 (1993)
• Bellerophon 1 (1995)
• Bloodwood 1 (2002)
• Cherring 1 (1997)
• Cognac 1 (1996)
• Cognac 1/ST1 (1996)
• Cognac 1A (1996)
• Cognac 1B (1996)
• Coojong 1 (1992)
• Dampier 1 (1968)
• Eliassen 1 (1991)
• Gungurru 1 (2004)
• Helicon 1 (1996)
• Helicon 1/CH1 (1996)
• Hoss 1 (2012)
• Hyacinthus 1 (1999)
• Jalfrezi 1 (2012)
• Janus 1 (1997)
• Lauchie 1 (1990)
• Lepus 1 (1998)
• Lewis 1 (1975)
• Lewis 1A (1975)
• Libris 1 (2006)
• Libris 1/ST1 (2006)
• Lynx 1 (1996)
• Lynx 1A (1996)
• Muggles 1 (2004)
• Nickol 1 (2003)
• Nickol Bay 1 (1988)
• Norbil 1 (2007)
• Orion 1 (1990)
• Quandong 1 (2002)
• Rosemary 1 (1972)
• Rosemary North 1 (1982)
• Saffron 1 (1994)
• Sage 1 (1999)
• Spinner 1 (1995)
• Supel 1 (2007)
• Unicorn 1 (2006)

APPLICATIONS

In accordance with subsection 296(3) of the OPGGS Act, applications must be accompanied by details of:

1. the applicant’s proposals for work and expenditure in relation to the block or blocks specified in the application; and
2. the technical qualifications of the applicant and of the applicant’s employees; and
3. the technical advice available to the applicant; and
4. the financial resources available to the applicant.

For further details of the expectations of the RCM in relation to the content of applications and used as the criteria for ranking of competing applicants in accordance with section 299 of the OPGGS Act, please refer to the Guideline: Offshore Greenhouse Gas Work-bid Assessment Permits, available at https://www.nopta.gov.au/guidelines-and-factsheets/index.html.

FEE

An application must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee and evidence of payment. The amount of the fee is prescribed in schedule 6 of the RMA regulations[1]. Details on how to pay the prescribed fee are on NOPTA’s website.

If paying by cheque, please write the full company name and Australian Business Number of each applicant and work-bid release area number on the back of the bank cheque. Cheques should be made payable to ‘NOPTA – Commonwealth of Australia’.

If paying by electronic funds transfer, please make payment to the following account:

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

The application must be on the approved application form and signed by all applicants. The application form is available for download from the NOPTA website at

http://www.nopta.gov.au/forms/forms.html.

One bound paper copy and one electronic copy in text search format (on CD, DVD or USB) of the application, together with evidence of payment of the application fee, must be submitted to the NOPTA in the following manner:

• the application should be sealed and clearly marked as “Application for Area [Release Area Number as appropriate] Commercial-in-Confidence” and
• this envelope or package should then be enclosed in a plain covering envelope or package and delivered by hand (couriers accepted) to the below address:

To submit an application please make an appointment with the NOPTA by emailing ghg@nopta.gov.au or phoning (08) 6424 5317.

Please check the NOPTA website prior to submitting an application for further updates on submissions.

[1] Please note that application fees are subject to change. Applicants should refer to the application fee stated in Schedule 6, Part 1 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011 or confirm with NOPTA prior to submitting an application https://www.nopta.gov.au/_documents/schedule-of-fees.pdf)