Contents
Chapter 1—Introduction 1
Part 1.1—Legislative formalities and background 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1
3............ Object.................................................................................................. 2
4............ Simplified outline................................................................................ 2
5............ Commonwealth‑State agreement (the Offshore Constitutional Settlement) 5
6............ Simplified maps.................................................................................. 8
Part 1.2—Interpretation 14
Division 1—General 14
7............ Definitions........................................................................................ 14
8............ Offshore areas of the States and Territories...................................... 43
9............ Spaces above and below offshore areas............................................ 47
10.......... Term of titles..................................................................................... 48
11.......... Renewal of titles................................................................................ 50
12.......... Variation of titles............................................................................... 54
13.......... Tied titles........................................................................................... 55
14.......... Vacated area...................................................................................... 55
15.......... Infrastructure facilities....................................................................... 57
16.......... Terminal station................................................................................. 59
17.......... Terminal point................................................................................... 59
18.......... Declared greenhouse gas facility....................................................... 60
19.......... Extended meaning of explore............................................................ 60
20.......... Potential greenhouse gas storage formation...................................... 62
21.......... Eligible greenhouse gas storage formation........................................ 62
22.......... Potential greenhouse gas injection site.............................................. 65
23.......... Incidental greenhouse gas‑related substance..................................... 66
24.......... Site plan—identified greenhouse gas storage formation.................... 66
25.......... Significant risk of a significant adverse impact—approval of key petroleum operations 67
26.......... Significant risk of a significant adverse impact—grant of petroleum production licence 68
27.......... Significant risk of a significant adverse impact—approval of key greenhouse gas operations 70
28.......... Significant risk of a significant adverse impact—grant of greenhouse gas injection licence 72
29.......... Significant risk of a significant adverse impact—power of responsible Commonwealth Minister to protect petroleum.......................................................................................................... 74
30.......... Direction given by the responsible Commonwealth Minister............ 76
31.......... Securities........................................................................................... 76
32.......... Designated agreements...................................................................... 77
33.......... Graticulation of Earth’s surface and constitution of blocks............... 78
34.......... External Territories............................................................................ 80
35.......... Application of Act............................................................................. 80
36.......... Certain pipelines provisions to apply subject to international obligations 81
Division 2—Datum provisions 82
Subdivision A—Datum for ascertaining the position of points etc. 82
37.......... Objects.............................................................................................. 82
38.......... Definitions........................................................................................ 82
39.......... Australian Geodetic Datum............................................................... 83
40.......... Geocentric Datum of Australia.......................................................... 83
41.......... Current datum, previous datum and changeover time........................ 84
42.......... Use of current datum......................................................................... 85
43.......... Use of previous datum...................................................................... 86
44.......... Variation of titles and instruments..................................................... 88
45.......... Variation of applications for titles..................................................... 90
46.......... No change to actual position of point, line or area............................. 91
47.......... Transitional regulations..................................................................... 91
48.......... International Seabed Agreements...................................................... 91
Subdivision B—Certain points etc. specified in an International Seabed Agreement to be ascertained by other means 91
49.......... Certain points etc. specified in an International Seabed Agreement to be ascertained by other means 91
Division 3—Apportionment of petroleum recovered from adjoining title areas 93
50.......... Title................................................................................................... 93
51.......... Titleholder and title area.................................................................... 93
52.......... Petroleum recovered through inclined well....................................... 93
53.......... Petroleum pool straddling 2 title areas etc......................................... 94
54.......... Petroleum pool straddling Commonwealth title area and State title area etc. 95
55.......... Unit development.............................................................................. 99
Part 1.3—Joint Authorities 100
Division 1—Joint Authorities 100
56.......... Joint Authorities.............................................................................. 100
57.......... Functions and powers of Joint Authorities..................................... 101
58.......... Procedure of Joint Authority........................................................... 102
59.......... Decision‑making............................................................................. 102
60.......... Opinion or state of mind of Joint Authority.................................... 103
61.......... Records of decisions of Joint Authority.......................................... 103
62.......... Signing of documents..................................................................... 104
63.......... Communications with Joint Authority............................................ 104
64.......... Judicial notice of signature of member of a Joint Authority............ 104
65.......... Issue of documents, and service of notices, on behalf of Joint Authority 106
66.......... Delegation by a Joint Authority for a State (other than Tasmania) or the Northern Territory 107
66A....... Delegation by Joint Authority for Tasmania................................... 108
67.......... Delegation by Greater Sunrise Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority 109
68.......... Delegation by Joint Authority for an external Territory.................. 110
69.......... Greater Sunrise Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority—consultations 111
Division 3—Finance 112
75.......... Payments by the Commonwealth to Western Australia—Royalty Act payments 112
Part 1.4—Application of State and Territory laws in offshore areas 115
78.......... Simplified outline............................................................................ 115
79.......... Meaning of laws............................................................................. 115
80.......... Application of State and Territory laws in offshore areas............... 115
81.......... Disapplication and modification of laws......................................... 118
82.......... Limit on application of laws............................................................ 118
83.......... Inconsistent law not applied............................................................ 118
84.......... Criminal laws not applied................................................................ 119
85.......... Tax laws not applied....................................................................... 119
86.......... Appropriation law not applied......................................................... 119
87.......... Applied laws not to confer Commonwealth judicial power............. 119
88.......... Applied laws not to contravene constitutional restrictions on conferral of powers on courts 119
89.......... State or Northern Territory occupational health and safety laws do not apply in relation to facilities 119
90.......... No limits on ordinary operation of law........................................... 122
91.......... Jurisdiction of State courts.............................................................. 123
92.......... Jurisdiction of Territory courts........................................................ 123
93.......... Validation of certain acts................................................................. 123
94.......... Certain provisions not affected by this Part..................................... 123
Chapter 2—Regulation of activities relating to petroleum 125
Part 2.1—Introduction 125
95.......... Simplified outline............................................................................ 125
Part 2.2—Petroleum exploration permits 127
Division 1—General provisions 127
96.......... Simplified outline............................................................................ 127
97.......... Prohibition of unauthorised exploration for petroleum in offshore area 128
98.......... Rights conferred by petroleum exploration permit.......................... 128
99.......... Conditions of petroleum exploration permits.................................. 129
100........ Declared petroleum exploration permit—approval by responsible Commonwealth Minister of key petroleum operations........................................................................................................ 134
101........ Declared petroleum exploration permits.......................................... 137
102........ Duration of petroleum exploration permit....................................... 139
103........ Extension of petroleum exploration permit if permittee applies for petroleum retention lease or petroleum production licence............................................................................................. 140
Division 2—Obtaining a work‑bid petroleum exploration permit 142
104........ Application for work‑bid petroleum exploration permit—advertising of blocks 142
105........ Grant of work‑bid petroleum exploration permit—offer document. 144
106........ Ranking of multiple applicants for work‑bid petroleum exploration permit 144
107........ Grant of work‑bid petroleum exploration permit............................. 146
108........ Withdrawal of application............................................................... 147
109........ Effect of withdrawal or lapse of application.................................... 148
Division 3—Obtaining a cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit 149
110........ Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—application...................... 149
111........ Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—cash bids......................... 150
112........ Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—cash bids less than the reserve price 151
112A..... Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—highest cash bids at or over the reserve price 154
112B..... Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—tie‑breaking invitation..... 155
113........ Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—grant............................... 156
114........ Extension of cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit....................... 157
Division 4—Obtaining a special petroleum exploration permit over a surrendered block or certain other blocks 159
115........ Application for a special petroleum exploration permit over a surrendered block or certain other blocks 159
116........ Grant of special petroleum exploration permit—only one application 161
117........ Grant of special petroleum exploration permit—2 or more applications 161
118........ Grant of special petroleum exploration permit................................. 164
Division 4A—Obtaining a boundary‑change petroleum exploration permit 165
118A..... Grant of boundary‑change petroleum exploration permit................ 165
Division 5—Renewal of petroleum exploration permits 169
119........ Application for renewal of petroleum exploration permit................ 169
120........ Non‑renewable cash‑bid petroleum exploration permits................. 170
121........ Limit on renewal of cash‑bid petroleum exploration permits........... 170
122........ Limits on renewal of work‑bid petroleum exploration permits and special petroleum exploration permits 171
122A..... Limits on renewal of boundary‑change petroleum exploration permits 173
123........ Standard halving rules..................................................................... 174
124........ Modified halving rules.................................................................... 176
125........ Renewal of petroleum exploration permit—offer document............ 177
126........ Refusal to renew petroleum exploration permit............................... 178
127........ Renewal of petroleum exploration permit........................................ 178
Division 6—Locations 180
128........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 180
129........ Nomination of blocks as a location................................................. 180
130........ Requirement to nominate blocks as a location................................. 182
131........ Declaration of location.................................................................... 182
132........ Revocation of declaration................................................................ 184
133........ Variation of declaration................................................................... 188
Part 2.3—Petroleum retention leases 190
Division 1—General provisions 190
134........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 190
135........ Rights conferred by petroleum retention lease................................. 191
136........ Conditions of petroleum retention leases......................................... 191
137........ Declared petroleum retention lease—approval by responsible Commonwealth Minister of key petroleum operations........................................................................................................ 195
138........ Declared petroleum retention leases................................................ 198
139........ Duration of petroleum retention lease.............................................. 199
140........ Extension of petroleum retention lease if lessee applies for petroleum production licence 200
Division 2—Obtaining a petroleum retention lease 202
Subdivision A—Application for petroleum retention lease by the holder of a petroleum exploration permit 202
141........ Application for petroleum retention lease by the holder of a petroleum exploration permit 202
142........ Grant of petroleum retention lease—offer document....................... 203
143........ Refusal to grant petroleum retention lease....................................... 204
143A..... Time limit for making decision about grant of petroleum retention lease 204
144........ Grant of petroleum retention lease................................................... 205
145........ Petroleum exploration permit ceases to be in force when petroleum retention lease comes into force 206
146........ Petroleum exploration permit transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 206
Subdivision B—Application for petroleum retention lease by the holder of a life‑of‑field petroleum production licence 206
147........ Application for petroleum retention lease by the holder of a life‑of‑field petroleum production licence 206
148........ Grant of petroleum retention lease—offer document....................... 208
149........ Refusal to grant petroleum retention lease....................................... 208
149A..... Time limit for making decision about grant of petroleum retention lease 209
150........ Grant of petroleum retention lease................................................... 209
151........ Petroleum production licence ceases to be in force when petroleum retention lease comes into force 210
152........ Petroleum production licence transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 210
Subdivision C—Obtaining a petroleum retention lease as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory 211
152A..... Grant of petroleum retention lease as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory........................................................................................................ 211
Division 3—Renewal of petroleum retention leases 214
153........ Application for renewal of petroleum retention lease...................... 214
154........ Renewal of petroleum retention lease—offer document.................. 215
155........ Refusal to renew petroleum retention lease..................................... 217
155A..... Time limit for making decision about renewal of petroleum retention lease 219
156........ Renewal of petroleum retention lease.............................................. 220
Division 4—Revocation of petroleum retention leases 221
157........ Notice of proposal to revoke petroleum retention lease................... 221
158........ Revocation of petroleum retention lease.......................................... 222
Part 2.4—Petroleum production licences 224
Division 1—General provisions 224
159........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 224
160........ Prohibition of unauthorised recovery of petroleum in offshore area 225
161........ Rights conferred by petroleum production licence.......................... 225
162........ Conditions of petroleum production licences.................................. 227
163........ Declared petroleum production licence—approval by responsible Commonwealth Minister of key petroleum operations........................................................................................................ 230
164........ Declared petroleum production licences.......................................... 233
165........ Duration of petroleum production licence....................................... 235
166........ Termination of life‑of‑field petroleum production licence if no recovery operations for 5 years 237
167........ Petroleum production licences to which the Royalty Act applies.... 238
Division 2—Obtaining a petroleum production licence as a result of an application made by a petroleum exploration permittee or a petroleum retention lessee 239
168........ Application for petroleum production licence by permittee............. 239
169........ Application period........................................................................... 240
170........ Application for petroleum production licence by lessee.................. 241
171........ Offer document............................................................................... 242
172........ Consultation—Greater Sunrise unit reservoir petroleum production licence 245
173........ Refusal to grant petroleum production licence................................. 246
173A..... Time limit for making decision about grant of petroleum production licence 250
174........ Joint Authority may defer taking action on application for petroleum production licence if there is a pending application for a greenhouse gas assessment permit.......................................... 252
175........ Grant of petroleum production licence............................................ 253
176........ Petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease ceases to be in force when petroleum production licence comes into force......................................................................................... 253
177........ Petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 254
Division 3—Obtaining a cash‑bid petroleum production licence over a surrendered block or similar block 255
178........ Application for cash‑bid petroleum production licence over surrendered blocks or similar blocks 255
179........ Grant of cash‑bid petroleum production licence—only one application 256
180........ Grant of cash‑bid petroleum production licence—2 or more applications 257
181........ Grant of cash‑bid petroleum production licence.............................. 260
Division 4—Obtaining petroleum production licences over individual blocks 261
182........ Applications for petroleum production licences over individual blocks 261
183........ Grant of petroleum production licences over individual blocks....... 262
Division 4A—Obtaining a petroleum production licence as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory 264
183A..... Grant of petroleum production licence as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory........................................................................................................ 264
Division 5—Renewal of fixed‑term petroleum production licences 267
184........ Application for renewal of fixed‑term petroleum production licence 267
185........ Renewal of fixed‑term petroleum production licence—offer document 269
186........ Refusal to renew fixed‑term petroleum production licence.............. 271
186A..... Time limit for making decision about renewal of fixed‑term petroleum production licence 272
187........ Renewal of fixed‑term petroleum production licence...................... 272
Division 6—What happens if a block is not taken up 273
188........ Revocation of petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease to the extent to which it relates to a block not taken up........................................................................................... 273
Division 7—Petroleum field development 276
Subdivision A—Directions about the recovery of petroleum 276
189........ Direction to recover petroleum........................................................ 276
190........ Directions about the rate of recovery of petroleum.......................... 276
Subdivision B—Unit development 278
191........ Unit development............................................................................ 278
Part 2.5—Infrastructure licences 282
Division 1—General provisions 282
192........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 282
193........ Prohibition of unauthorised construction or operation of an infrastructure facility in an offshore area 282
194........ Rights conferred by an infrastructure licence.................................. 283
195........ Conditions of infrastructure licences............................................... 284
196........ Duration of infrastructure licence.................................................... 284
197........ Termination of infrastructure licence if no operations for 5 years... 285
Division 2—Obtaining an infrastructure licence 287
198........ Application for infrastructure licence.............................................. 287
199........ Grant of infrastructure licence—offer document............................. 287
200........ Refusal to grant infrastructure licence............................................. 288
200A..... Time limit for making decision about grant of infrastructure licence 288
201........ Grant of infrastructure licence......................................................... 289
202........ Consultation with petroleum titleholders—grant of infrastructure licence 289
203........ Consultation with greenhouse gas titleholders—grant of infrastructure licence 291
Division 3—Varying an infrastructure licence 294
204........ Application for variation of infrastructure licence........................... 294
205........ Variation of infrastructure licence................................................... 294
206........ Consultation with petroleum titleholders—variation of infrastructure licence 296
207........ Consultation with greenhouse gas titleholders—variation of infrastructure licence 298
Division 4—Directions by responsible Commonwealth Minister 300
208........ Directions by responsible Commonwealth Minister....................... 300
Part 2.6—Pipeline licences 301
Division 1—General provisions 301
209........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 301
210........ Prohibition of unauthorised construction or operation of a pipeline in an offshore area 301
211........ Rights conferred by pipeline licence................................................ 302
212........ Conditions of pipeline licences........................................................ 303
213........ Approval by Joint Authority of greenhouse gas substance to be conveyed in a pipeline 304
214........ Duration of pipeline licence............................................................. 306
215........ Termination of pipeline licence if no operations for 5 years............ 306
216........ Alteration or removal of pipeline constructed in breach of this Act. 308
Division 2—Obtaining a pipeline licence 310
217........ Application for pipeline licence....................................................... 310
218........ Rights of petroleum production licensees following application for petroleum‑related pipeline licences by other persons........................................................................................................ 311
219........ Rights of petroleum production licensees following application for greenhouse gas‑related pipeline licences by other persons............................................................................................ 312
220........ Rights of greenhouse gas injection licensees following application for greenhouse gas‑related pipeline licences by other persons............................................................................................ 313
221........ Grant of petroleum‑related pipeline licence—offer document......... 315
222........ Grant of greenhouse gas‑related pipeline licence—offer document. 317
223........ Refusal to grant petroleum‑related pipeline licence.......................... 322
224........ Refusal to grant greenhouse gas‑related pipeline licence................. 324
225........ Grant of pipeline licence.................................................................. 327
Division 3—Varying a pipeline licence 328
226........ Variation of pipeline licence on application by licensee................... 328
227........ Variation of pipeline licence at the request of a Minister or a statutory body 330
Division 4—Pipeline operation 333
228........ Ceasing to operate pipeline without consent.................................... 333
Part 2.7—Petroleum special prospecting authorities 335
Division 1—General provisions 335
229........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 335
230........ Rights conferred by petroleum special prospecting authority.......... 335
231........ Conditions of petroleum special prospecting authorities................. 336
232........ Duration of petroleum special prospecting authority....................... 336
233........ Petroleum special prospecting authority cannot be transferred........ 336
Division 2—Obtaining a petroleum special prospecting authority 337
234........ Application for petroleum special prospecting authority................. 337
235........ Grant or refusal of petroleum special prospecting authority............ 337
236........ Holders to be informed of the grant of another petroleum special prospecting authority 338
237........ Holders to be informed of the grant of greenhouse gas search authority 338
Part 2.8—Petroleum access authorities 340
Division 1—General provisions 340
238........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 340
239........ Rights conferred by petroleum access authority.............................. 340
240........ Conditions of petroleum access authorities..................................... 340
241........ Duration of petroleum access authority........................................... 341
Division 2—Obtaining a petroleum access authority 342
242........ Application for petroleum access authority..................................... 342
243........ Grant or refusal of petroleum access authority................................ 343
244........ Consultation—grant of petroleum access authority in same offshore area 344
245........ Consultation—approval of grant of petroleum access authority in adjoining offshore area 345
Division 3—Variation of petroleum access authorities 347
246........ Variation of petroleum access authority.......................................... 347
247........ Consultation—variation of petroleum access authority in same offshore area 347
248........ Consultation—approval of variation of petroleum access authority in adjoining offshore area 348
Division 4—Reporting obligations of holders of petroleum access authorities 350
249........ Reporting obligations of holders of petroleum access authorities.... 350
Division 5—Revocation of petroleum access authorities 352
250........ Revocation of petroleum access authority....................................... 352
Part 2.9—Petroleum scientific investigation consents 353
251........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 353
252........ Rights conferred by petroleum scientific investigation consent....... 353
253........ Conditions of petroleum scientific investigation consents............... 353
254........ Grant of petroleum scientific investigation consent......................... 354
Part 2.10—Standard procedures 355
255........ Application and cash bid to be made in an approved manner.......... 355
256........ Application fee................................................................................ 355
257........ Application may set out additional matters...................................... 356
258........ Titles Administrator may require further information...................... 357
259........ Offer documents............................................................................. 359
260........ Acceptance of offer—request by applicant...................................... 361
260A..... Cash‑bid petroleum exploration permits—failure to respond to offer 365
261........ Special petroleum exploration permits and s 181 petroleum production licences—failure to pay 367
262........ Consultation—adverse decisions.................................................... 367
263........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may require information about negotiations for a designated agreement 369
Part 2.11—Variation, suspension and exemption 371
Division 1—Variation, suspension and exemption decisions relating to petroleum exploration permits, petroleum retention leases, petroleum production licences, infrastructure licences and pipeline licences 371
264........ Variation, suspension and exemption—conditions of titles............. 371
265........ Extension of term of petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease—suspension of conditions 374
265A..... Extension of term of petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease pending decision on application for suspension of conditions................................................................. 375
266........ Suspension of rights—petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease 376
267........ Extension of term of petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease—suspension of rights 377
267A..... Variation of Commonwealth title—including an area as the result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory............................................................................. 377
Division 2—Variation, suspension and exemption decisions relating to petroleum special prospecting authorities and petroleum access authorities 383
268........ Variation, suspension and exemption—conditions of petroleum special prospecting authorities and petroleum access authorities........................................................................................ 383
Part 2.12—Surrender of titles 385
Division 1—Surrender of petroleum exploration permits, petroleum production licences, petroleum retention leases, infrastructure licences and pipeline licences 385
269........ Application for consent to surrender title........................................ 385
270........ Consent to surrender title................................................................ 386
271........ Surrender of title............................................................................. 389
Division 2—Surrender of petroleum special prospecting authorities and petroleum access authorities 391
272........ Surrender of petroleum special prospecting authority..................... 391
273........ Surrender of petroleum access authority......................................... 391
Part 2.13—Cancellation of titles 392
Division 1—Cancellation of petroleum exploration permits, petroleum production licences, petroleum retention leases, infrastructure licences and pipeline licences 392
274........ Grounds for cancellation of title...................................................... 392
275........ Cancellation of title.......................................................................... 393
276........ Consultation.................................................................................... 393
277........ Cancellation of title not affected by other provisions....................... 394
277A..... NOPSEMA to notify the Titles Administrator of grounds for cancellation of title 396
Division 2—Cancellation of petroleum special prospecting authorities 398
278........ Cancellation of petroleum special prospecting authority.................. 398
Part 2.14—Other provisions 399
279........ Reservation of blocks...................................................................... 399
280........ Interference with other rights.......................................................... 400
281........ No conditions about payment of money.......................................... 401
282........ Certain portions of blocks to be blocks........................................... 402
283........ Changes to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory 404
284........ Notification of discovery of petroleum in petroleum exploration permit area, petroleum retention lease area or petroleum production licence area.................................................................... 405
285........ Property in petroleum not recovered from a Greater Sunrise unit reservoir 407
286........ Property in petroleum recovered from a Greater Sunrise unit reservoir 407
286A..... Notification requirements—registered holders of titles................... 409
286B..... Publication of prescribed time limits............................................... 412
286C..... Report about decisions not made within time limits........................ 413
Chapter 3—Regulation of activities relating to injection and storage of greenhouse gas substances 414
Part 3.1—Introduction 414
287........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 414
Part 3.2—Greenhouse gas assessment permits 416
Division 1—General provisions 416
288........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 416
289........ Prohibition of unauthorised exploration for potential greenhouse gas storage formation, or potential greenhouse gas injection site, in offshore area.......................................................... 417
290........ Rights conferred by greenhouse gas assessment permit.................. 417
291........ Conditions of greenhouse gas assessment permits.......................... 419
292........ Approval by responsible Commonwealth Minister of key greenhouse gas operations 420
293........ Duration of greenhouse gas assessment permit............................... 424
294........ Extension of greenhouse gas assessment permit if permittee applies for a declaration of an identified greenhouse gas storage formation............................................................................ 426
295........ Extension of greenhouse gas assessment permit if permittee applies for a greenhouse gas holding lease or greenhouse gas injection licence......................................................................... 426
Division 2—Obtaining a work‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit 429
296........ Application for work‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit—advertising of blocks 429
297........ Petroleum retention lessee or petroleum production licensee to be notified of proposal to advertise blocks 430
298........ Grant of work‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit—offer document 431
299........ Ranking of multiple applicants for work‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit 432
300........ Grant of work‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit.................... 434
301........ Withdrawal of application............................................................... 435
302........ Effect of withdrawal or lapse of application.................................... 436
Division 3—Obtaining a cash‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit 438
303........ Application for cash‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit........... 438
304........ Petroleum retention lessee or petroleum production licensee to be notified of proposal to advertise blocks 439
305........ Grant of cash‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit—only one application 440
306........ Grant of cash‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit—2 or more applications 441
307........ Grant of cash‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit..................... 444
Division 4—Renewal of greenhouse gas assessment permits 445
308........ Application for renewal of greenhouse gas assessment permit....... 445
309........ Renewal of greenhouse gas assessment permit—offer document... 446
310........ Refusal to renew greenhouse gas assessment permit...................... 449
311........ Renewal of greenhouse gas assessment permit............................... 451
Division 5—Declaration of identified greenhouse gas storage formation 452
312........ Declaration of identified greenhouse gas storage formation............ 452
313........ Variation of declaration of identified greenhouse gas storage formation 455
314........ Revocation of declaration of identified greenhouse gas storage formation 457
315........ Register of Identified Greenhouse Gas Storage Formations........... 458
Division 6—Directions 459
316........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may give directions to greenhouse gas assessment permittees 459
317........ Compliance with directions............................................................. 460
Part 3.3—Greenhouse gas holding leases 461
Division 1—General provisions 461
318........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 461
319........ Rights conferred by greenhouse gas holding lease.......................... 462
320........ Conditions of greenhouse gas holding leases.................................. 463
321........ Approval by responsible Commonwealth Minister of key greenhouse gas operations 464
322........ Duration of greenhouse gas holding lease....................................... 468
323........ Extension of greenhouse gas holding lease if lessee applies for a special greenhouse gas holding lease or greenhouse gas injection licence............................................................................... 469
Division 2—Obtaining a greenhouse gas holding lease 471
Subdivision A—Application for greenhouse gas holding lease by the holder of a greenhouse gas assessment permit 471
324........ Application for greenhouse gas holding lease by the holder of a greenhouse gas assessment permit 471
325........ Grant of greenhouse gas holding lease—offer document................ 475
326........ Refusal to grant greenhouse gas holding lease................................ 476
327........ Grant of greenhouse gas holding lease............................................ 477
328........ Greenhouse gas assessment permit ceases to be in force when greenhouse gas holding lease comes into force 477
329........ Greenhouse gas assessment permit transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 477
Subdivision B—Application for greenhouse gas holding lease by the holder of a greenhouse gas injection licence 478
330........ Application for greenhouse gas holding lease by the holder of a greenhouse gas injection licence 478
331........ Grant of greenhouse gas holding lease—offer document................ 479
332........ Refusal to grant greenhouse gas holding lease................................ 480
333........ Grant of greenhouse gas holding lease............................................ 480
334........ Greenhouse gas injection licence ceases to be in force when greenhouse gas holding lease comes into force 481
335........ Greenhouse gas injection licence transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 481
Subdivision C—Application for special greenhouse gas holding lease by an unsuccessful applicant for a greenhouse gas injection licence 482
336........ Application for special greenhouse gas holding lease by an unsuccessful applicant for a greenhouse gas injection licence........................................................................................................ 482
337........ Grant of special greenhouse gas holding lease—offer document.... 484
338........ Grant of special greenhouse gas holding lease................................ 484
339........ Greenhouse gas assessment permit ceases to be in force when special greenhouse gas holding lease comes into force........................................................................................................ 485
340........ Ordinary greenhouse gas holding lease ceases to be in force when special greenhouse gas holding lease comes into force........................................................................................................ 485
341........ Greenhouse gas assessment permit transfer—transferee to be treated as applicant 486
342........ Greenhouse gas holding lease transfer—transferee to be treated as applicant 486
Subdivision D—Application for greenhouse gas holding lease by the holder of a petroleum retention lease 487
343........ Application for greenhouse gas holding lease by the holder of a petroleum retention lease 487
344........ Grant of greenhouse gas holding lease—offer document................ 490
345........ Grant of greenhouse gas holding lease............................................ 491
346........ Petroleum retention lease transfer—transferee to be treated as applicant 491
Division 3—Renewal of greenhouse gas holding leases 493
347........ Application for renewal of greenhouse gas holding lease............... 493
348........ Renewal of greenhouse gas holding lease—offer document........... 494
349........ Refusal to renew greenhouse gas holding lease.............................. 496
350........ Renewal of greenhouse gas holding lease....................................... 498
Division 4—Directions 500
351........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may give directions to greenhouse gas holding lessees 500
352........ Compliance with directions............................................................. 501
Division 5—Special greenhouse gas holding lessee may be requested to apply for a greenhouse gas injection licence 502
353........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may request special greenhouse gas holding lessee to apply for a greenhouse gas injection licence............................................................................... 502
Division 6—Cancellation of certain greenhouse gas holding leases granted to the holders of petroleum retention leases 503
354........ Cancellation of certain greenhouse gas holding leases granted to the holders of petroleum retention leases 503
Part 3.4—Greenhouse gas injection licences 504
Division 1—General provisions 504
355........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 504
356........ Prohibition of unauthorised injection and storage of substances in offshore area 505
357........ Rights conferred by greenhouse gas injection licence..................... 506
358........ Conditions of greenhouse gas injection licences............................. 507
359........ Duration of greenhouse gas injection licence.................................. 511
360........ Termination of greenhouse gas injection licence if no injection operations for 5 years 512
Division 2—Obtaining a greenhouse gas injection licence 514
Subdivision A—Application for greenhouse gas injection licence by the holder of a greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease 514
361........ Application for greenhouse gas injection licence by greenhouse gas assessment permittee or greenhouse gas holding lessee............................................................................................... 514
362........ Offer document............................................................................... 518
363........ Refusal to grant greenhouse gas injection licence............................ 526
364........ Grant of greenhouse gas injection licence....................................... 526
365........ Deferral of decision to grant greenhouse gas injection licence—pending application for post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit........................................................................... 527
366........ Greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease ceases to be in force when greenhouse gas injection licence comes into force.................................................................. 528
367........ Greenhouse gas assessment permit transfer—transferee to be treated as applicant 528
368........ Greenhouse gas holding lease transfer—transferee to be treated as applicant 529
Subdivision B—Application for greenhouse gas injection licence by the holder of a petroleum production licence 529
369........ Application for greenhouse gas injection licence by the holder of a petroleum production licence 529
370........ Grant of greenhouse gas injection licence—offer document........... 534
371........ Refusal to grant greenhouse gas injection licence............................ 537
372........ Grant of greenhouse gas injection licence....................................... 537
373........ Petroleum production licence transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 538
Division 3—Variations 539
374........ Variation of matters specified in greenhouse gas injection licence—general 539
375........ Variation of matters specified in greenhouse gas injection licence—declaration of identified greenhouse gas storage formation varied.............................................................................. 540
Division 4—Directions 542
376........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may give greenhouse gas injection licensee directions to protect geological formations containing petroleum pools etc...................................... 542
377........ Consultation—directions to do something outside the licence area. 544
378........ Compliance with directions............................................................. 546
Division 5—Dealing with serious situations 547
379........ Serious situation.............................................................................. 547
380........ Powers of responsible Commonwealth Minister to deal with serious situations 549
381........ Consultation—directions to do something outside the licence area. 552
382........ Compliance with directions............................................................. 553
Division 6—Protection of petroleum discovered in the title area of a pre‑commencement petroleum title 555
383........ Powers of responsible Commonwealth Minister to protect petroleum discovered in the title area of a pre‑commencement petroleum title.................................................................................. 555
384........ Consultation—directions to do something outside the licence area. 561
385........ Compliance with directions............................................................. 562
Division 7—Site closing certificates 564
386........ Application for site closing certificate............................................. 564
387........ Variation of application for site closing certificate........................... 568
388........ Issue of site closing certificate—pre‑certificate notice..................... 568
389........ Acknowledgement of receipt of application for site closing certificate 571
390........ Refusal to give pre‑certificate notice................................................ 571
391........ Pre‑certificate notice—security etc.................................................. 572
392........ Issue of site closing certificate......................................................... 573
393........ Greenhouse gas injection licence transferred—transferee to be treated as applicant 573
394........ Duration of site closing certificate................................................... 574
395........ Transfer of site closing certificate.................................................... 574
396........ Transfer of securities....................................................................... 574
397........ Discharge of securities.................................................................... 575
398........ Recovery of the Commonwealth’s costs and expenses................... 575
Division 8—Long‑term liabilities 576
399........ Closure assurance period................................................................ 576
400........ Indemnity—long‑term liability........................................................ 577
401........ Commonwealth to assume long‑term liability if licensee has ceased to exist 578
Part 3.5—Greenhouse gas search authorities 579
Division 1—General provisions 579
402........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 579
403........ Rights conferred by greenhouse gas search authority..................... 580
404........ Conditions of greenhouse gas search authorities............................. 580
405........ Duration of greenhouse gas search authority.................................. 580
406........ Greenhouse gas search authority cannot be transferred................... 581
Division 2—Obtaining a greenhouse gas search authority 582
407........ Application for greenhouse gas search authority............................. 582
408........ Grant or refusal of greenhouse gas search authority....................... 582
409........ Holders to be informed of the grant of another greenhouse gas search authority 583
410........ Holders to be informed of the grant of a petroleum special prospecting authority 583
Part 3.6—Greenhouse gas special authorities 585
Division 1—General provisions 585
411........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 585
412........ Rights conferred by greenhouse gas special authority..................... 585
413........ Conditions of greenhouse gas special authorities............................ 585
414........ Duration of greenhouse gas special authority.................................. 586
Division 2—Obtaining a greenhouse gas special authority 587
415........ Application for greenhouse gas special authority............................ 587
416........ Grant or refusal of greenhouse gas special authority....................... 588
417........ Consultation—grant of greenhouse gas special authority................ 589
Division 3—Variation of greenhouse gas special authorities 591
418........ Variation of greenhouse gas special authority................................. 591
419........ Consultation—variation of greenhouse gas special authority.......... 591
Division 4—Reporting obligations of holders of greenhouse gas special authorities 593
420........ Reporting obligations of holders of greenhouse gas special authorities 593
Division 5—Revocation of greenhouse gas special authorities 594
421........ Revocation of greenhouse gas special authority.............................. 594
Part 3.7—Greenhouse gas research consents 595
422........ Simplified outline............................................................................ 595
423........ Rights conferred by greenhouse gas research consent.................... 595
424........ Conditions of greenhouse gas research consents............................ 596
425........ Grant of greenhouse gas research consent...................................... 596
Part 3.8—Standard procedures 597
426........ Application to be made in an approved manner............................... 597
427........ Application fee................................................................................ 597
428........ Application may set out additional matters...................................... 598
429........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may require further information 599
430........ Offer documents............................................................................. 600
431........ Acceptance of offer—request by applicant...................................... 601
432........ Acceptance of offer—payment........................................................ 604
433........ Acceptance of offer—lodgment of security..................................... 604
434........ Consultation—adverse decisions.................................................... 605
435........ Responsible Commonwealth Minister may require information about negotiations for a designated agreement 606
Part 3.9—Variation, suspension and exemption 608
Division 1—Variation, suspension and exemption decisions relating to greenhouse gas assessment permits, greenhouse gas holding leases and greenhouse gas injection licences 608
436........ Variation, suspension and exemption—conditions of titles............. 608
437........ Extension of term of greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease—suspension of conditions........................................................................................................ 611
437A..... Extension of term of greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease pending decision on application for suspension of conditions........................................................... 612
438........ Suspension of rights—greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease 613
439........ Extension of term of greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease—suspension of rights 613
Division 2—Variation, suspension and exemption decisions relating to greenhouse gas search authorities and greenhouse gas special authorities 615
440........ Variation, suspension and exemption—conditions of greenhouse gas search authorities and greenhouse gas special authorities........................................................................................ 615
Part 3.10—Surrender of titles 617
Division 1—Surrender of greenhouse gas assessment permits, greenhouse gas holding leases and greenhouse gas injection licences 617
441........ Application for consent to surrender title........................................ 617
442........ Consent to surrender title................................................................ 617
443........ Surrender of title............................................................................. 621
Division 2—Surrender of greenhouse gas search authorities and greenhouse gas special authorities 623
444........ Surrender of greenhouse gas search authority................................. 623
445........ Surrender of greenhouse gas special authority................................ 623
Part 3.11—Cancellation of titles 624
Division 1—Cancellation of greenhouse gas assessment permits, greenhouse gas holding leases and greenhouse gas injection licences 624
446........ Grounds for cancellation of title...................................................... 624
447........ Cancellation of title.......................................................................... 625
448........ Consultation.................................................................................... 626
449........ Cancellation of title not affected by other provisions....................... 626
Division 2—Cancellation of greenhouse gas search authorities 630
450........ Cancellation of greenhouse gas search authority............................. 630
Part 3.12—Other provisions 631
451........ Notification of eligible greenhouse gas storage formation............... 631
452........ Notification of discovery of petroleum in greenhouse gas assessment permit area etc. 632
453........ Disposing of waste or other matter................................................. 633
454........ Additional securities etc.................................................................. 634
455........ Transfer of securities....................................................................... 636
456........ Discharge of securities.................................................................... 636
457........ Approved site plans........................................................................ 637
458........ Co‑existence of greenhouse gas titles and petroleum titles.............. 638
459........ Reservation of blocks...................................................................... 639
460........ Interference with other rights.......................................................... 640
461........ No conditions about payment of money.......................................... 641
462........ Certain portions of blocks to be blocks........................................... 642
463........ Changes to the boundary of the coastal waters of a State or Territory 644
464........ Commonwealth may monitor the behaviour of a greenhouse gas substance stored in a part of a geological formation........................................................................................................ 645
465........ Monitoring information may be made publicly available................. 645
An Act about petroleum exploration and recovery, and the injection and storage of greenhouse gas substances, in offshore areas, and for other purposes
Chapter 1—Introduction
Part 1.1—Legislative formalities and background
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
| Commencement information |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
| Provision(s) | Commencement | Date/Details |
| 1. Sections 1 and 2 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table | The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. | 29 March 2006 |
| 2. Sections 3 to 5 | A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. | 1 July 2008 (see F2008L02273) |
| 3. Parts 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 1 July 2008 |
| 4. Chapters 2 to 6 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 1 July 2008 |
| 5. Schedules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 1 July 2008 |
| 6. Schedule 6, clauses 1 to 38 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 1 July 2008 |
| 7. Schedule 6, clause 39 | The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. | 29 March 2006 |
| 8. Schedule 6, clauses 40 to 42 | At the same time as the provision(s) covered by table item 2. | 1 July 2008 |
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.
3 Object
The object of this Act is to provide an effective regulatory framework for:
(a) petroleum exploration and recovery; and
(b) the injection and storage of greenhouse gas substances;
in offshore areas.
4 Simplified outline
The following is a simplified outline of this Act:
• This Act sets up a system for regulating the following activities in offshore areas:
(a) exploration for petroleum;
(b) recovery of petroleum;
(c) construction and operation of infrastructure facilities relating to petroleum or greenhouse gas substances;
(d) construction and operation of pipelines for conveying petroleum or greenhouse gas substances;
(e) exploration for potential greenhouse gas storage formations;
(f) injection and storage of greenhouse gas substances.
• An offshore area:
(a) starts 3 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured; and
(b) extends seaward to the outer limits of the continental shelf.
• This Act provides for the grant of the following titles:
(a) a petroleum exploration permit (see Part 2.2);
(b) a petroleum retention lease (see Part 2.3);
(c) a petroleum production licence (see Part 2.4);
(d) an infrastructure licence (see Part 2.5);
(e) a pipeline licence (see Part 2.6);
(f) a petroleum special prospecting authority (see Part 2.7);
(g) a petroleum access authority (see Part 2.8);
(h) a greenhouse gas assessment permit (see Part 3.2);
(i) a greenhouse gas holding lease (see Part 3.3);
(j) a greenhouse gas injection licence (see Part 3.4);
(k) a greenhouse gas search authority (see Part 3.5);
(l) a greenhouse gas special authority (see Part 3.6).
• Generally, the administration of this Act in relation to an offshore area of a State is the responsibility of the Joint Authority for the State. The Joint Authority for a State (other than Tasmania) is constituted by the responsible State Minister and the responsible Commonwealth Minister. The Joint Authority for Tasmania is constituted by the responsible Commonwealth Minister.
• Generally, the administration of this Act in relation to the Principal Northern Territory offshore area is the responsibility of the Joint Authority for that area (the Joint Authority is constituted by the responsible Northern Territory Minister and the responsible Commonwealth Minister).
• The responsible Commonwealth Minister is responsible for the administration of greenhouse gas injection and storage provisions.
• The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority is responsible for the administration of:
(a) occupational health and safety provisions; and
(b) structural integrity provisions; and
(c) environmental management provisions.
• The National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator is responsible for:
(a) assisting and advising the Joint Authority and the responsible Commonwealth Minister; and
(b) keeping registers of titles; and
(c) data and information management.
Note: Generally, the baseline is the line of lowest astronomical tide along the coast, but it also encompasses straight lines across bays (bay closing lines), rivers (river closing lines) and between islands, as well as along heavily indented areas of coastline (straight baselines) under certain circumstances.
5 Commonwealth‑State agreement (the Offshore Constitutional Settlement)
(1) This section explains the agreement known as the Offshore Constitutional Settlement, to the extent to which that agreement relates to exploring for, and exploiting, petroleum.
(2) The Commonwealth, the States and the Northern Territory have agreed that:
(a) Commonwealth offshore petroleum legislation should be limited to the area that is outside the coastal waters of the States and the Northern Territory; and
(b) for this purpose, the outer limits of State and Northern Territory coastal waters should start 3 nautical miles from the baseline of the territorial sea; and
(c) the States and the Northern Territory should share, in the manner provided by this Act, in the administration of the Commonwealth offshore petroleum legislation; and
(d) State and Northern Territory offshore petroleum legislation should apply to State and Northern Territory coastal waters; and
(e) the Commonwealth, the States and the Northern Territory should try to maintain, as far as practicable, common principles, rules and practices in regulating and controlling the exploration for, and exploitation of, offshore petroleum beyond the baseline of Australia’s territorial sea.
(3) The table summarises other Acts that provide background to the Offshore Constitutional Settlement:
| Other Acts |
| Item | Act | Summary of Act |
| 1 | Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973 | This Act: (a) declared and enacted that the sovereignty in respect of the territorial sea and the associated airspace, seabed and subsoil is vested in and exercisable by the Crown in right of the Commonwealth; and (b) gave the Governor‑General power to declare, by Proclamation, the limits of the territorial sea; and (c) declared and enacted that the sovereignty in respect of waters of the sea that are on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea (but not within the limits of a State) and in respect of the associated airspace, seabed and subsoil is vested in and exercisable by the Crown in right of the Commonwealth; and (d) declared and enacted that the sovereign rights of Australia as a coastal state in respect of the continental shelf of Australia (for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources) are vested in and exercisable by the Crown in right of the Commonwealth; and (e) gave the Governor‑General power to declare, by Proclamation, the limits of the continental shelf of Australia. |
| 2 | Coastal Waters (State Powers) Act 1980 | This Act was enacted following a request from the Parliaments of all the States under paragraph 51(xxxviii) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth and provided that the legislative powers exercisable under the Constitution of each State extended to the making of certain laws that would operate offshore. |
| 3 | Coastal Waters (Northern Territory Powers) Act 1980 | This Act makes similar provision to the Coastal Waters (State Powers) Act 1980 in relation to the Northern Territory. |
| 4 | Coastal Waters (State Title) Act 1980 | This Act vested in each State certain property rights in the seabed beneath the coastal waters of the State. |
| 5 | Coastal Waters (Northern Territory Title) Act 1980 | This Act makes similar provision to the Coastal Waters (State Title) Act 1980 in relation to the Northern Territory. |
| 6 | Offshore Minerals Act 1994 | This Act makes provision, based on the Offshore Constitutional Settlement, for the licensing regime that applies to the exploration for, and recovery of, minerals (other than petroleum) in offshore areas. |
6 Simplified maps
(1) This section sets out simplified maps illustrating areas off the coast of Australia that are relevant to this Act.
(2) In the interests of simplification:
(a) coastlines and boundaries have been smoothed; and
(b) the maps do not show certain waters within the limits of a State or Territory; and
(c) the line marking the outer limits of the coastal waters of a State or Territory appears to be further out to sea than it actually is.
Map 1
(3) Map 1 illustrates the offshore areas and the scheduled areas:
Note 1: As at the day on which the Bill that became this Act was introduced into the House of Representatives, certain maritime areas adjacent to Australia remained subject to delimitation with other countries. The full extent of Australia’s claimed exclusive economic zone and continental shelf jurisdiction has not been shown in this map. The claimed jurisdiction extends beyond the areas shown in this map.
Note 2: Generally, the territorial sea baseline is the line of lowest astronomical tide along the coast, but it also encompasses straight lines across bays (bay closing lines), rivers (river closing lines) and between islands, as well as along heavily indented areas of coastline (straight baselines) under certain circumstances.
Note 3: The location of the Joint Petroleum Development Area established under the Timor Sea Treaty is indicated on this map as the unshaded space abutting the offshore areas of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The Joint Petroleum Development Area is not included in any offshore area as defined by this Act.
Map 2
(4) Map 2 zooms in and illustrates the offshore area of South Australia:
Map 3
(5) Map 3 zooms in and illustrates coastal waters and waters within the limits of South Australia:
Note: The bays shown as being within the limits of South Australia are for illustrative purposes only.
Part 1.2—Interpretation
Division 1—General
7 Definitions
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
applied provisions has the meaning given by subsection 80(2).
approved:
(a) when used in Chapter 3—means approved in writing by the responsible Commonwealth Minister; or
(b) in any other case—means approved in writing by the Titles Administrator.
This definition does not apply to:
(c) the expression approved site plan; or
(d) section 286A; or
(e) section 650; or
(f) subsection 695B(3); or
(g) section 695F.
approved site plan means a site plan in respect of which an approval is in force under the regulations.
Note: See section 457.
authority area:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum special prospecting authority—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the petroleum special prospecting authority; or
(b) when used in relation to a petroleum access authority—means the area to which the petroleum access authority relates; or
(c) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas search authority—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the greenhouse gas search authority; or
(d) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas special authority—means the area to which the greenhouse gas special authority relates.
block means a block constituted as provided by section 33 or 282.
boundary‑change petroleum exploration permit means a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 4A of Part 2.2.
cash‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit means a greenhouse gas assessment permit granted under Division 3 of Part 3.2.
cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit means:
(a) a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 3 of Part 2.2 of this Act; or
(b) an exploration permit granted under section 22B of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967; or
(c) a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 5 of Part 2.2 of this Act by way of the renewal of a permit referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); or
(d) an exploration permit granted under section 32 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 by way of the renewal of a permit referred to in paragraph (b).
closure assurance period has the meaning given by section 399.
COAG Reform Fund means the COAG Reform Fund established by section 5 of the COAG Reform Fund Act 2008.
coastal waters, in relation to a State or the Northern Territory, means so much of the scheduled area for the State or Territory as consists of:
(a) the territorial sea; and
(b) any waters that are:
(i) on the landward side of the territorial sea; and
(ii) not within the limits of the State or Territory.
For this purpose, assume that the breadth of the territorial sea of Australia had never been determined or declared to be greater than 3 nautical miles, but had continued to be 3 nautical miles.
Commissioner means a person appointed under section 780A.
Commission of inquiry means an inquiry conducted, or to be conducted, by a person appointed under section 780A.
constitutional corporation means a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
construct includes place.
continental shelf means the continental shelf (within the meaning of the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973) adjacent to the coast of:
(a) Australia (including the coast of any island forming part of a State or Territory); or
(b) a Territory.
datum means a reference frame for defining geographic coordinates.
Note: If the position on the surface of the Earth of a particular point is identified by a coordinate that is determined by reference to a particular datum, the use of a different datum will result in the same point being identified by a different coordinate.
declared greenhouse gas facility has the meaning given by section 18.
declared petroleum exploration permit has the meaning given by section 101.
declared petroleum production licence has the meaning given by section 164.
declared petroleum retention lease has the meaning given by section 138.
designated agreement has the meaning given by section 32.
Designated Authority:
(a) means a person who, at any time before the commencement of Part 6.10, was a Designated Authority (within the meaning of this Act); and
(b) when used in the expression the Designated Authority, means a person who, at any time before the commencement of Part 6.10, was the Designated Authority (within the meaning of this Act) for the offshore area concerned.
detection agent means a substance, whether in a gaseous or liquid state, that:
(a) when added to:
(i) another substance; or
(ii) a mixture of other substances;
facilitates the monitoring of the behaviour of that other substance or that mixture, as the case may be; and
(b) is specified in the regulations.
Eastern Greater Sunrise offshore area has the meaning given by Schedule 7.
Note: The Eastern Greater Sunrise offshore area is a part of the offshore area of the Northern Territory.
eligible greenhouse gas storage formation has the meaning given by section 21.
engage in conduct means:
(a) do an act; or
(b) omit to perform an act.
Environment Minister means the Minister administering the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
expert advisory committee means a committee established under section 748.
expert advisory committee member means a member of an expert advisory committee, and includes the Chair of an expert advisory committee.
expiry date:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease or petroleum production licence—has the meaning given by subsection 10(1); or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas assessment permit or a greenhouse gas holding lease (other than a special greenhouse gas holding lease)—has the meaning given by subsection 10(2).
explore:
(a) when used in relation to petroleum—has a meaning affected by subsection 19(1); or
(b) when used in relation to a potential greenhouse gas storage formation—has a meaning affected by subsections 19(2) and (3); or
(c) when used in relation to a potential greenhouse gas injection site—has a meaning affected by subsection 19(4).
Federal Circuit Court means the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.
fixed‑term petroleum production licence means a petroleum production licence covered by item 2 or 3 of the table in subsection 165(1).
fixed‑term State/Territory petroleum production title means a State/Territory petroleum production title that was granted for a term of years.
fundamental suitability determinants:
(a) when used in relation to an eligible greenhouse gas storage formation—has the meaning given by subsection 21(8); or
(b) when used in relation to an identified greenhouse gas storage formation—has the meaning given by subsection 312(11).
geographic coordinate includes:
(a) a meridian of longitude by itself; and
(b) a parallel of latitude by itself.
geological formation includes:
(a) any seal or reservoir of a geological formation; and
(b) any associated geological attributes or features of a geological formation.
good oilfield practice means all those things that are generally accepted as good and safe in:
(a) the carrying on of exploration for petroleum; or
(b) petroleum recovery operations.
good processing and transport practice means all those things that are generally accepted as good and safe in:
(a) the processing, conveyance, transport and storage of petroleum; and
(b) the preparation of petroleum for transport.
graticular section has the meaning given by section 33.
Greater Sunrise unit area has the meaning given by Schedule 7.
Greater Sunrise unitisation agreement means the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor‑Leste relating to the Unitisation of the Sunrise and Troubadour Fields, done at Dili on 6 March 2003.
Note: In 2007, the text of international agreements was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (www.austlii.edu.au).
Greater Sunrise unit reservoir petroleum production licence means a petroleum production licence in respect of one or more blocks within the Eastern Greater Sunrise offshore area that would allow the licensee to recover petroleum from either or both of the Greater Sunrise unit reservoirs.
Greater Sunrise unit reservoirs means the unit reservoirs within the meaning of the Greater Sunrise unitisation agreement.
Greater Sunrise visiting inspector means a NOPSEMA inspector identified as a Greater Sunrise visiting inspector in his or her identity card (see subsection 602(4)).
greenhouse gas assessment permit means a greenhouse gas assessment permit granted under Part 3.2.
greenhouse gas assessment permit area means the permit area of a greenhouse gas assessment permit.
greenhouse gas assessment permittee means the registered holder of a greenhouse gas assessment permit.
greenhouse gas facility line means a pipe, or system of pipes, that is:
(a) for conveying a greenhouse gas substance; and
(b) part of a declared greenhouse gas facility.
greenhouse gas holding lease means a greenhouse gas holding lease granted under Part 3.3.
greenhouse gas holding lease area means the lease area of a greenhouse gas holding lease.
greenhouse gas holding lessee means the registered holder of a greenhouse gas holding lease.
greenhouse gas infrastructure line means a pipe, or system of pipes, that is:
(a) for conveying a greenhouse gas substance; and
(b) part of an infrastructure facility.
greenhouse gas injection licence means a greenhouse gas injection licence granted under Part 3.4.
greenhouse gas injection licence area means the licence area of a greenhouse gas injection licence.
greenhouse gas injection licensee means the registered holder of a greenhouse gas injection licence.
greenhouse gas injection line means a pipe, or system of pipes, for:
(a) conveying a greenhouse gas substance to be compressed, processed or otherwise prepared for injection into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(b) conveying a greenhouse gas substance for storage prior to being injected into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(c) conveying a greenhouse gas substance for injection into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation;
so long as the greenhouse gas substance does not pass through a terminal point on the pipe, or system of pipes, as the case may be, before it is injected into the identified greenhouse gas storage formation.
greenhouse gas pipeline means:
(a) a pipe, or system of pipes, in an offshore area for conveying a greenhouse gas substance, other than:
(i) a greenhouse gas injection line; or
(ii) a greenhouse gas infrastructure line; or
(iii) a greenhouse gas facility line; or
(iv) a pipe, or a system of pipes, that is specified in the regulations; or
(b) a part of a pipe covered by paragraph (a); or
(c) a part of a system of pipes covered by paragraph (a).
greenhouse gas project inspector means a person appointed as a greenhouse gas project inspector under section 606.
greenhouse gas pumping station means equipment for pumping a greenhouse gas substance or water, and includes any structure associated with that equipment.
greenhouse gas research consent means a greenhouse gas research consent granted under Part 3.7.
greenhouse gas search authority means a greenhouse gas search authority granted under Part 3.5.
greenhouse gas special authority means a greenhouse gas special authority granted under Part 3.6.
greenhouse gas substance means:
(a) carbon dioxide, whether in a gaseous or liquid state; or
(b) a prescribed greenhouse gas, whether in a gaseous or liquid state; or
(c) a mixture of any or all of the following substances:
(i) carbon dioxide, whether in a gaseous or liquid state;
(ii) one or more prescribed greenhouse gases, whether in a gaseous or liquid state;
(iii) one or more incidental greenhouse gas‑related substances, whether in a gaseous or liquid state, that relate to either or both of the substances mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii);
(iv) a prescribed detection agent, whether in a gaseous or liquid state;
so long as:
(v) the mixture consists overwhelmingly of either or both of the substances mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii); and
(vi) if the mixture includes a prescribed detection agent—the concentration of the prescribed detection agent in the mixture is not more than the concentration prescribed in relation to that detection agent.
greenhouse gas tank station means a tank, or system of tanks, for holding or storing a greenhouse gas substance, and includes any structure associated with that tank or system of tanks.
greenhouse gas valve station means equipment for regulating the flow of a greenhouse gas substance, and includes any structure associated with that equipment.
identified greenhouse gas storage formation has the meaning given by section 312.
identity card of a NOPSEMA inspector means an identity card issued to the inspector under the Regulatory Powers Act in its application under Division 1 of Part 6.5 of this Act.
incidental greenhouse gas‑related substance has the meaning given by section 23.
infrastructure facility has the meaning given by section 15.
infrastructure licence means an infrastructure licence granted under:
(a) Part 2.5 of this Act; or
(b) Division 3A of Part III of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
infrastructure licence area means the licence area of an infrastructure licence.
infrastructure licensee means the registered holder of an infrastructure licence.
Joint Authority has the meaning given by section 56 and, when used in the expression the Joint Authority, means the Joint Authority for the offshore area concerned.
Joint Petroleum Development Area has the same meaning as in the Petroleum (Timor Sea Treaty) Act 2003.
key greenhouse gas operation means:
(a) an operation to make a well; or
(b) an operation to inject, on an appraisal basis, a greenhouse gas substance into a part of a geological formation; or
(c) an operation to store, on an appraisal basis, a greenhouse gas substance in a part of a geological formation; or
(d) an operation to inject, on an appraisal basis, air, petroleum or water into a part of a geological formation; or
(e) an operation to store, on an appraisal basis, air, petroleum or water in a part of a geological formation; or
(f) an operation to carry out a seismic survey or any other kind of survey; or
(g) an operation to monitor the behaviour of:
(i) a greenhouse gas substance; or
(ii) air; or
(iii) petroleum; or
(iv) water;
stored in a part of a geological formation; or
(h) an operation to carry out baseline investigations relating to the storage of a greenhouse gas substance in a part of the geological formation; or
(i) an operation to take samples of the seabed or subsoil of an offshore area; or
(j) an operation specified in the regulations.
key petroleum operation means:
(a) an operation to make a well; or
(b) an operation to inject a substance into a part of a geological formation; or
(c) an operation to store a substance in a part of a geological formation; or
(d) an operation to carry out a seismic survey or any other kind of survey; or
(e) an operation to monitor the behaviour of a substance stored in a part of a geological formation; or
(f) an operation to take samples of the seabed or subsoil of an offshore area; or
(g) an operation specified in the regulations.
lease area:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum retention lease—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the petroleum retention lease; or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas holding lease—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the greenhouse gas holding lease.
lessee:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum retention lease—means the registered holder of the petroleum retention lease; or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas holding lease—means the registered holder of the greenhouse gas holding lease.
licence area:
(a) when used in relation to an infrastructure licence—means the place in relation to which the infrastructure licence is in force; or
(b) when used in relation to a petroleum production licence—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the petroleum production licence; or
(c) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas injection licence—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the greenhouse gas injection licence.
Note: The place in relation to which an infrastructure licence is in force must be a place in an offshore area—see subsection 198(2) and section 199.
licensee:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum production licence—means the registered holder of the petroleum production licence; or
(b) when used in relation to an infrastructure licence—means the registered holder of the infrastructure licence; or
(c) when used in relation to a pipeline licence—means the registered holder of the pipeline licence; or
(d) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas injection licence—means the registered holder of the greenhouse gas injection licence.
life‑of‑field petroleum production licence means a petroleum production licence covered by item 1, 3A or 4 of the table in subsection 165(1).
listed NOPSEMA law: see section 601.
listed OHS laws has the meaning given by section 638.
location means a block or blocks in relation to which a declaration under section 131 is in force.
Ministers responsible for mineral and energy resources matters means a group of Ministers established or recognised by the Council of Australian Governments whose members include Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers with responsibility for energy and resource matters.
natural resources has the same meaning as in paragraph 4 of Article 77 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea done at Montego Bay on 10 December 1982.
Note: Paragraph 4 of Article 77 is as follows:
The natural resources referred to in this Part consist of the mineral and other non‑living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical contact with the seabed or the subsoil.
New Zealand boundary treaty means the Treaty between Australia and New Zealand establishing certain exclusive economic zone boundaries and continental shelf boundaries that was signed at Adelaide on 25 July 2004.
NOPSEMA means the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
NOPSEMA inspector means a person appointed as a NOPSEMA inspector under section 602.
Northern Territory title means an authority, however described, under a law of the Northern Territory, to explore for, or to recover, petroleum.
offshore area means:
(a) the offshore area of New South Wales; or
(b) the offshore area of Victoria; or
(c) the offshore area of Queensland; or
(d) the offshore area of Western Australia; or
(e) the offshore area of South Australia; or
(f) the offshore area of Tasmania; or
(g) the Principal Northern Territory offshore area; or
(h) the Eastern Greater Sunrise offshore area; or
(i) the offshore area of Norfolk Island; or
(j) the offshore area of the Territory of Christmas Island; or
(k) the offshore area of the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands; or
(l) the offshore area of the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands; or
(m) the offshore area of the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands;
and, when used in the expression the offshore area, means whichever of the areas referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l) or (m) is applicable.
Note 1: The offshore area of a State or Territory is defined by section 8.
Note 2: The offshore area of a State or Territory corresponds to the term adjacent area under the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
original greenhouse gas assessment permit means a greenhouse gas assessment permit that was granted otherwise than by way of renewal.
original petroleum exploration permit means a petroleum exploration permit granted otherwise than by way of renewal.
original petroleum production licence means a petroleum production licence granted otherwise than by way of renewal.
original petroleum retention lease means a petroleum retention lease granted otherwise than by way of renewal.
partly cancelled means:
(a) in relation to a petroleum exploration permit or petroleum production licence—cancelled as to one or more, but not all, of the blocks the subject of the permit or licence; and
(b) in relation to a pipeline licence—cancelled as to a part of the pipeline the subject of the licence.
partly revoked, in relation to a petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease, means revoked as to one or more, but not all, of the blocks the subject of the permit or lease.
partly surrendered, in relation to a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum production licence or greenhouse gas injection licence, means surrendered as to one or more, but not all, of the blocks the subject of the permit or licence.
partly terminated, in relation to a pipeline licence, means terminated as to a part of the pipeline the subject of the licence.
part of a geological formation includes a part of a combination of geological formations.
permit area:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum exploration permit—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the petroleum exploration permit; or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas assessment permit—means the area constituted by the block or blocks that are the subject of the greenhouse gas assessment permit.
permittee:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum exploration permit—means the registered holder of the petroleum exploration permit; or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas assessment permit—means the registered holder of the greenhouse gas assessment permit.
petroleum means:
(a) any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or
(b) any naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or
(c) any naturally occurring mixture of:
(i) one or more hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; and
(ii) one or more of the following, that is to say, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, helium and carbon dioxide;
and:
(d) includes any petroleum as defined by paragraph (a), (b) or (c) that has been returned to a natural reservoir; and
(e) for the purposes of the pipeline provisions, also includes any petroleum as defined by paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d), where:
(i) one or more things have been added; or
(ii) one or more things have been wholly or partly removed;
or both; and
(f) for the purposes of the pipeline provisions, also includes any mixture that:
(i) has been recovered from a well; and
(ii) includes petroleum as defined by paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d);
whether or not:
(iii) one or more things have been added; or
(iv) one or more things have been wholly or partly removed;
or both.
petroleum access authority means:
(a) a petroleum access authority granted under Part 2.8 of this Act; or
(b) an access authority granted under section 112 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
petroleum environmental law has the same meaning as in Schedule 2A.
petroleum exploration permit means:
(a) a work‑bid petroleum exploration permit; or
(b) a cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit; or
(c) a special petroleum exploration permit; or
(d) a boundary‑change petroleum exploration permit.
petroleum exploration permit area means the permit area of a petroleum exploration permit.
petroleum exploration permittee means the registered holder of a petroleum exploration permit.
petroleum pipeline means:
(a) a pipe, or system of pipes, in an offshore area for conveying petroleum (whether or not the petroleum is recovered from an offshore area), other than a secondary line; or
(b) a part of a pipe covered by paragraph (a); or
(c) a part of a system of pipes covered by paragraph (a).
petroleum pool means a naturally occurring discrete accumulation of petroleum.
petroleum production licence means:
(a) a petroleum production licence granted under Part 2.4 of this Act; or
(b) a production licence granted under Division 3 of Part III of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967; or
(c) a production licence granted under section 148 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
petroleum production licence area means the licence area of a petroleum production licence.
petroleum production licensee means the registered holder of a petroleum production licence.
petroleum pumping station means equipment for pumping petroleum or water, and includes any structure associated with that equipment.
petroleum retention lease means:
(a) a petroleum retention lease granted under Part 2.3 of this Act; or
(b) a retention lease granted under Division 2A of Part III of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
petroleum retention lease area means the lease area of a petroleum retention lease.
petroleum retention lessee means the registered holder of a petroleum retention lease.
petroleum scientific investigation consent means:
(a) a petroleum scientific investigation consent granted under Part 2.9 of this Act; or
(b) a scientific investigation consent granted under section 123 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
petroleum special prospecting authority means:
(a) a petroleum special prospecting authority granted under Part 2.7 of this Act; or
(b) a special prospecting authority granted under section 111 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
petroleum tank station means a tank, or system of tanks, for holding or storing petroleum, and includes any structure associated with that tank or system of tanks.
petroleum valve station means equipment for regulating the flow of petroleum, and includes any structure associated with that equipment.
pipeline means:
(a) a petroleum pipeline; or
(b) a greenhouse gas pipeline.
pipeline licence means a pipeline licence granted under:
(a) Part 2.6 of this Act; or
(b) Division 4 of Part III of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
pipeline licensee means the registered holder of a pipeline licence.
pipeline provisions means the following:
(a) Part 2.6;
(b) the definition of greenhouse gas pipeline in this section;
(c) the definition of greenhouse gas pumping station in this section;
(d) the definition of greenhouse gas tank station in this section;
(e) the definition of greenhouse gas valve station in this section;
(f) the definition of petroleum pipeline in this section;
(g) the definition of petroleum pumping station in this section;
(h) the definition of petroleum tank station in this section;
(i) the definition of petroleum valve station in this section;
(j) the definition of pipeline in this section;
(k) item 3 of the table in subsection 569(1).
post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit means:
(a) an original petroleum exploration permit that was granted after the commencement of this section; or
(b) a petroleum exploration permit that was granted by way of renewal, where the original petroleum exploration permit was granted after the commencement of this section.
post‑commencement petroleum production licence means:
(a) a petroleum production licence that was granted to the registered holder of:
(i) a post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit; or
(ii) a post‑commencement petroleum retention lease;
that was in force over the block or blocks to which the petroleum production licence relates; or
(b) a petroleum production licence granted under section 181; or
(c) a petroleum production licence granted under section 183, where the initial petroleum production licence mentioned in section 182 was a post‑commencement petroleum production licence; or
(d) a petroleum production licence granted under section 183A; or
(e) a petroleum production licence that was granted by way of renewal, where the original petroleum production licence was granted under section 183A.
post‑commencement petroleum retention lease means:
(a) an original petroleum retention lease that was granted to the registered holder of:
(i) a post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit; or
(ii) a post‑commencement petroleum production licence;
that was in force over the block or blocks to which the original petroleum retention lease relates; or
(b) a petroleum retention lease that was granted by way of renewal, where the original petroleum retention lease was granted to the registered holder of:
(i) a post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit; or
(ii) a post‑commencement petroleum production licence;
that was in force over the block or blocks to which the original petroleum retention lease related; or
(c) a petroleum retention lease granted under section 152A; or
(d) a petroleum retention lease that was granted by way of renewal, where the original petroleum retention lease was granted under section 152A.
post‑commencement petroleum title means:
(a) a post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit; or
(b) a post‑commencement petroleum retention lease; or
(c) a post‑commencement petroleum production licence.
potential greenhouse gas injection site has the meaning given by section 22.
potential greenhouse gas storage formation has the meaning given by section 20.
pre‑commencement petroleum exploration permit means a petroleum exploration permit other than a post‑commencement petroleum exploration permit.
pre‑commencement petroleum production licence means a petroleum production licence other than a post‑commencement petroleum production licence.
pre‑commencement petroleum retention lease means a petroleum retention lease other than a post‑commencement petroleum retention lease.
pre‑commencement petroleum title means:
(a) a pre‑commencement petroleum exploration permit; or
(b) a pre‑commencement petroleum retention lease; or
(c) a pre‑commencement petroleum production licence.
Principal Northern Territory offshore area means so much of the offshore area of the Northern Territory as does not consist of the Eastern Greater Sunrise offshore area.
Note: The offshore area of the Northern Territory is defined by section 8.
pumping station means:
(a) a greenhouse gas pumping station; or
(b) a petroleum pumping station.
Register:
(a) when used in Chapter 4—has the meaning given by section 467; or
(b) when used in Chapter 5—has the meaning given by section 519.
registered holder, in relation to a title, means the person whose name is shown in the Register kept under section 469 or 521 as the holder of the title. For this purpose, a title is a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence, infrastructure licence, pipeline licence, petroleum special prospecting authority, petroleum access authority, greenhouse gas assessment permit, greenhouse gas holding lease, greenhouse gas injection licence, greenhouse gas search authority or greenhouse gas special authority.
regulated operation means:
(a) an activity to which Chapter 2 applies; or
(b) an activity to which Chapter 3 applies.
For the purposes of paragraph (b), assume that each reference in subsection 356(1) to a substance were a reference to a greenhouse gas substance.
Regulatory Levies Act means the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Act 2003.
Regulatory Powers Act means the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014.
renewal:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease or petroleum production licence—has the meaning given by subsection 11(1); or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas assessment permit or greenhouse gas holding lease—has the meaning given by subsection 11(2).
responsible Commonwealth Minister means:
(a) the Minister who is responsible for the administration of this Act; or
(b) another Minister acting for and on behalf of the Minister referred to in paragraph (a).
responsible Northern Territory Minister means:
(a) the Minister of the Northern Territory who is authorised under a law of the Northern Territory to perform the functions, and exercise the powers, of a member of the Joint Authority for the Northern Territory under this Act; or
(b) another Minister of the Northern Territory acting for and on behalf of the Minister referred to in paragraph (a).
responsible State Minister, in relation to a State, means:
(a) whichever of the following applies:
(i) the Minister of the State (other than Tasmania) who is authorised under a law of the State to perform the functions, and exercise the powers, of a member of the Joint Authority for the State under this Act;
(ii) the Minister of Tasmania who is responsible for the State PSLA for Tasmania, within the meaning of Part 6.9 (see section 643); or
(b) another Minister of the State acting for and on behalf of the Minister referred to in paragraph (a).
Royal Commission has the same meaning as in the Royal Commissions Act 1902.
Royalty Act means the Offshore Petroleum (Royalty) Act 2006.
scheduled area, in relation to a State or Territory, has the meaning given by Schedule 1.
secondary line means a pipe, or system of pipes, for:
(a) returning petroleum to a natural reservoir; or
(b) conveying petroleum for use for petroleum exploration operations; or
(c) conveying petroleum for use for petroleum recovery operations; or
(d) conveying petroleum that is to be flared or vented; or
(e) conveying petroleum from a well, wherever located, to a terminal station in an offshore area without passing through another terminal station.
Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.
serious situation, in relation to an identified greenhouse gas storage formation, has the meaning given by section 379.
significant risk has a meaning affected by section 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29.
site closing certificate means a certificate issued under section 392.
site plan, in relation to an identified greenhouse gas storage formation, has the meaning given by section 24.
spatial extent of an eligible greenhouse gas storage formation has the meaning given by subsection 21(3).
special greenhouse gas holding lease means a greenhouse gas holding lease granted under section 338.
special petroleum exploration permit means:
(a) a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 4 of Part 2.2 of this Act; or
(b) an exploration permit granted under section 27 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967; or
(c) a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 5 of Part 2.2 of this Act by way of the renewal of a permit referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); or
(d) an exploration permit granted under section 32 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 by way of the renewal of a permit referred to in paragraph (b).
State/Territory petroleum exploration title means an instrument under a law of a State or the Northern Territory that confers, in relation to the coastal waters of the State or Territory, rights that correspond to the rights that a petroleum exploration permit confers in relation to the offshore area of the State or Territory.
State/Territory petroleum production title means an instrument under a law of a State or the Northern Territory that confers, in relation to the coastal waters of the State or Territory, rights that correspond to the rights that a petroleum production licence confers in relation to the offshore area of the State or Territory.
State/Territory petroleum retention title means an instrument under a law of a State or the Northern Territory that confers, in relation to the coastal waters of the State or Territory, rights that correspond to the rights that a petroleum retention lease confers in relation to the offshore area of the State or Territory.
State title means an authority, however described, under a law of a State, to explore for, or to recover, petroleum.
structural integrity includes the following:
(a) structural soundness;
(b) structural strength;
(c) stability;
(d) fitness for purpose;
(e) mechanical integrity;
(f) systems integrity;
in connection with:
(g) the containment of:
(i) petroleum; or
(ii) a greenhouse gas substance; or
(iii) any other substance; or
(h) the health and safety of persons engaged in:
(i) offshore petroleum operations (within the meaning of Part 6.9); or
(ii) offshore greenhouse gas operations (within the meaning of Part 6.9).
For the purposes of paragraph (f), systems integrity includes the integrity of the following:
(i) electrical systems;
(j) electronic systems;
(k) hydraulic systems;
(l) chemical systems;
(m) dynamic positioning systems;
(n) other systems.
structural integrity law means the provisions of this Act or the regulations to the extent to which the provisions relate to the structural integrity of:
(a) facilities (within the meaning of Schedule 3); or
(b) wells; or
(c) well‑related equipment.
tank station means:
(a) a greenhouse gas tank station; or
(b) a petroleum tank station.
term:
(a) when used in relation to a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence, infrastructure licence, pipeline licence, petroleum special prospecting authority or petroleum access authority—has the meaning given by subsection 10(1); or
(b) when used in relation to a greenhouse gas assessment permit, greenhouse gas holding lease, greenhouse gas injection licence, greenhouse gas search authority or greenhouse gas special authority—has the meaning given by subsection 10(2).
terminal point has the meaning given by section 17.
terminal station has the meaning given by section 16.
Territory means a Territory in which this Act applies or to which this Act extends.
tied, in relation to a greenhouse gas holding lease or greenhouse gas injection licence, has the meaning given by section 13.
Timor Sea Treaty means the Timor Sea Treaty between Australia and East Timor, done on 20 May 2002 [2003] ATS 13, as amended from time to time.
Note: In 2007, the text of international agreements in the Australian Treaty Series was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (www.austlii.edu.au).
Timor Sea Treaty Designated Authority means the Designated Authority within the meaning of the Petroleum (Timor Sea Treaty) Act 2003.
title:
(a) when used in the definition of registered holder—has the meaning given by the second sentence of that definition; or
(b) when used in Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 1.2—has the meaning given by section 38; or
(c) when used in Division 3 of Part 1.2—has the meaning given by section 50; or
(e) when used in section 282—has the meaning given by subsection 282(6); or
(f) when used in section 462—has the meaning given by subsection 462(6); or
(g) when used in Chapter 4—has the meaning given by section 467; or
(ga) when used in Chapter 5—has the meaning given by section 519; or
(h) when used in section 574—has the meaning given by subsection 574(1); or
(ha) when used in section 574A—has the meaning given by subsection 574A(1); or
(i) when used in Division 2A of Part 6.2—has the meaning given by subsection 576A(3); or
(j) when used in section 580—has the meaning given by subsection 580(1).
title area:
(a) when used in Division 3 of Part 1.2—has the meaning given by section 51; or
(b) when used in section 572—has the meaning given by subsection 572(1); or
(ba) when used in Division 2A of Part 6.2—has the meaning given by subsection 576A(3); or
(c) when used in section 586—has the meaning given by subsection 586(6); or
(d) when used in section 586A—has the meaning given by subsection 586A(7).
titleholder:
(a) when used in Division 3 of Part 1.2—has the meaning given by section 51; or
(b) when used in section 572—has the meaning given by subsection 572(1).
titleholder’s representative: see section 602K.
Titles Administrator means the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator.
vacated area has the meaning given by section 14.
valve station means:
(a) a greenhouse gas valve station; or
(b) a petroleum valve station.
vessel means a vessel used in navigation, other than air navigation, and includes a barge, lighter or other floating vessel.
water line means a pipe, or system of pipes, for conveying water in connection with:
(a) petroleum exploration operations; or
(b) petroleum recovery operations; or
(c) exploration for potential greenhouse gas storage formations; or
(d) exploration for potential greenhouse gas injection sites; or
(e) the injection of a greenhouse gas substance into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(f) the injection, on an appraisal basis, of a greenhouse gas substance into a part of a geological formation; or
(g) the injection, on an appraisal basis, of air, petroleum or water into a part of a geological formation.
well means a hole in the seabed or subsoil made by drilling, boring or any other means in connection with:
(a) exploration for petroleum; or
(b) petroleum recovery operations; or
(c) exploration for potential greenhouse gas storage formations; or
(d) exploration for potential greenhouse gas injection sites; or
(e) the injection of a greenhouse gas substance into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(f) the injection, on an appraisal basis, of a greenhouse gas substance into a part of a geological formation; or
(g) the injection, on an appraisal basis, of air, petroleum or water into a part of a geological formation;
but does not include a seismic shot hole.
well‑related equipment means any:
(a) plant; or
(b) equipment; or
(c) other thing;
for containing pressure in a well.
Western Greater Sunrise area has the meaning given by Schedule 7.
Note: Activities occurring in the Western Greater Sunrise area in relation to the exploration, development and exploitation of the Greater Sunrise unit reservoirs are dealt with under the Petroleum (Timor Sea Treaty) Act 2003.
wholly cancelled, in relation to a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum production licence or pipeline licence, means cancelled as to all the blocks, or as to the whole of the pipeline, the subject of the permit or licence.
wholly revoked, in relation to a petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease, means revoked as to all the blocks the subject of the permit or lease.
wholly terminated, in relation to a pipeline licence, means terminated as to the whole of the pipeline the subject of the licence.
work‑bid greenhouse gas assessment permit means a greenhouse gas assessment permit granted under Division 2 of Part 3.2.
work‑bid petroleum exploration permit means:
(a) a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 2 of Part 2.2 of this Act; or
(b) an exploration permit granted under section 22 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967; or
(c) a petroleum exploration permit granted under Division 5 of Part 2.2 of this Act by way of the renewal of a permit referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); or
(d) an exploration permit granted under section 32 of the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 by way of the renewal of a permit referred to in paragraph (b).
8 Offshore areas of the States and Territories
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the table has effect:
| Offshore areas |
| Item | The offshore area of... | is... |
| 1 | (a) New South Wales; or (b) Victoria; or (c) South Australia; or (d) Tasmania | so much of the scheduled area for that State as comprises waters of the sea that are: (a) beyond the outer limits of the coastal waters of that State; and (b) within the outer limits of the continental shelf. |
| 2 | Queensland | both of the following areas: (a) so much of the scheduled area for Queensland as comprises waters of the sea that are: (i) beyond the outer limits of the coastal waters of Queensland; and (ii) within the outer limits of the continental shelf; (b) the Coral Sea area (as defined by subsection (2)). |
| 3 | Western Australia | so much of the scheduled area for Western Australia as comprises waters of the sea that are: (a) beyond the outer limits of the coastal waters of Western Australia; and (b) within the outer limits of the continental shelf; and (c) not within the Joint Petroleum Development Area. |
| 4 | the Northern Territory | so much of the scheduled area for the Northern Territory as comprises waters of the sea that are: (a) beyond the outer limits of the coastal waters of the Northern Territory; and (b) within the outer limits of the continental shelf; and (c) not within the Joint Petroleum Development Area. |
| 5 | the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands | so much of the scheduled area for that Territory as consists of land and water that is: (a) within the outer limits of the continental shelf; and (b) not within the Joint Petroleum Development Area. |
| 6 | Norfolk Island | the area whose boundaries are: (a) the coastline at mean low water of Norfolk Island; and (b) the outer limit of the superjacent waters of the continental shelf adjacent to the coast of Norfolk Island. |
| 7 | the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands | the area whose boundaries are: (a) the coastlines at mean low water of the islands comprising that Territory; and (b) the outer limit of the superjacent waters of the continental shelf adjacent to the coasts of those islands. |
| 8 | the Territory of Christmas Island | the area whose boundaries are: (a) the coastline at mean low water of Christmas Island; and (b) the outer limit of the superjacent waters of the continental shelf adjacent to the coast of Christmas Island. |
| 9 | the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands | both of the following areas: (a) the area whose boundaries are the coastline at mean low water of the north atoll of that Territory (otherwise called North Keeling Island), and the outer limit of the superjacent waters of the continental shelf adjacent to the coast of that Island; (b) the area whose boundaries are the coastlines at mean low water of the remaining islands of that Territory, and the outer limit of the superjacent waters of the continental shelf adjacent to the coasts of those islands. |
Note: The offshore area of a State or Territory corresponds to the adjacent area under the repealed Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the Coral Sea area is so much of the area to the east of the area described in paragraph (a) of item 2 of the table in subsection (1) as comprises waters of the sea that are within the outer limits of the continental shelf, other than any part of that area that is:
(a) to the south of the parallel of Latitude 25° South; or
(b) on the landward side of the coastline of any island at mean low water.
Note: For datum, see section 40.
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands—land taken to be beneath the sea etc.
(3) This Act has effect in relation to so much of the offshore area of the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands as consists of land as if that land were:
(a) beneath the sea; and
(b) part of the seabed and subsoil of that offshore area.
Areas of the continental shelf over which Australia does not exercise sovereign rights
(4) For the purposes of:
(a) an item in the table in subsection (1); and
(b) subsection (2);
the continental shelf does not include any area of seabed and subsoil that, as a result of an agreement in force between Australia and a foreign country, is not an area over which Australia exercises sovereign rights.
9 Spaces above and below offshore areas
For the purposes of this Act:
(a) the space above or below an offshore area is taken to be in that area; and
(b) the space above or below an area that is part of an offshore area is taken to be in that part.
10 Term of titles
Petroleum titles
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the table has effect:
| Term of title etc. |
| Item | A reference in this Act to... | is a reference to... |
| 1 | the term of: (a) a petroleum exploration permit; or (b) a petroleum retention lease; or (c) a petroleum production licence; or (d) an infrastructure licence; or (e) a pipeline licence; or (f) a petroleum special prospecting authority; or (g) a petroleum access authority; | the period during which the permit, lease, licence or authority remains in force. |
| 2 | a year of the term of: (a) a petroleum exploration permit; or (b) a petroleum retention lease; or (c) a petroleum production licence; or (d) an infrastructure licence; or (e) a pipeline licence; | a period of one year beginning on: (a) the day on which the permit, lease or licence comes into force; or (b) any anniversary of that day. |
| 3 | the expiry date of: (a) a petroleum exploration permit; or (b) a petroleum retention lease; or (c) a petroleum production licence; | the day on which the permit, lease or licence ceases to be in force. |
Greenhouse gas titles
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the table has effect:
| Term of title etc. |
| Item | A reference in this Act to... | is a reference to... |
| 1 | the term of: (a) a greenhouse gas assessment permit; or (b) a greenhouse gas holding lease; or (c) a greenhouse gas injection licence; or (d) a greenhouse gas search authority; or (e) a greenhouse gas special authority; | the period during which the permit, lease, licence or authority remains in force. |
| 2 | a year of the term of: (a) a greenhouse gas assessment permit; or (b) a greenhouse gas holding lease; or (c) a greenhouse gas injection licence; | a period of one year beginning on: (a) the day on which the permit, lease or licence comes into force; or (b) any anniversary of that day. |
| 3 | the expiry date of: (a) a greenhouse gas assessment permit; or (b) a greenhouse gas holding lease (other than a special greenhouse gas holding lease); | the day on which the permit or lease ceases to be in force. |
11 Renewal of titles
Petroleum titles
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the table has effect:
| Renewal of titles |
| | Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Item | A reference in this Act to... | is a reference to... |
| 1 | the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of a petroleum exploration permit | the grant of a petroleum exploration permit over some or all of the blocks specified in the permit mentioned in column 1, to begin on: (a) the day after the expiry date of the permit mentioned in column 1; or (b) the day after the expiry date of the petroleum exploration permit granted on a previous renewal of the permit mentioned in column 1. |
| 2 | the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of a petroleum retention lease | the grant of a petroleum retention lease over all of the blocks in relation to which the lease mentioned in column 1 was in force, to begin on: (a) the day after the expiry date of the lease mentioned in column 1; or (b) the day after the expiry date of the petroleum retention lease granted on a previous renewal of the lease mentioned in column 1. |
| 3 | the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of a petroleum production licence | the grant of a petroleum production licence over the block or blocks specified in the licence mentioned in column 1, to begin on: (a) the day after the expiry date of the licence mentioned in column 1; or (b) the day after the expiry date of the petroleum production licence granted on a previous renewal of the licence mentioned in column 1. |
(1A) If:
(a) a petroleum exploration permit has been granted on the basis that an area (the relevant area) is within the offshore area of a State or the Northern Territory; and
(b) as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of the State or Territory, the relevant area:
(i) ceases to be within the offshore area of the State or Territory; and
(ii) falls within the coastal waters of the State or Territory; and
(c) immediately before the change, the relevant area was a part of the permit area;
then, in determining what constitutes the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of the permit, item 1 of the table in subsection (1) has effect as if:
(d) the permit had been varied to exclude from the permit area any area that is not within the offshore area of the State or Territory; and
(e) the variation had taken effect immediately after the change.
Note: This means that an application for renewal of the permit may be made, and the permit may be renewed, as if the permit had been so varied.
(1B) For the purposes of subsection (1A):
(a) disregard section 283; and
(b) it is immaterial whether the change occurred before, at or after the commencement of this subsection.
(1C) If:
(a) a petroleum retention lease has been granted on the basis that an area (the relevant area) is within the offshore area of a State or the Northern Territory; and
(b) as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of the State or Territory, the relevant area:
(i) ceases to be within the offshore area of the State or Territory; and
(ii) falls within the coastal waters of the State or Territory; and
(c) immediately before the change, the relevant area was a part of the lease area;
then, in determining what constitutes the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of the lease, item 2 of the table in subsection (1) has effect as if:
(d) the lease had been varied to exclude from the lease area any area that is not within the offshore area of the State or Territory; and
(e) the variation had taken effect immediately after the change.
Note: This means that an application for renewal of the lease may be made, and the lease may be renewed, as if the lease had been so varied.
(1D) For the purposes of subsection (1C):
(a) disregard section 283; and
(b) it is immaterial whether the change occurred before, at or after the commencement of this subsection.
(1E) If:
(a) a petroleum production licence has been granted on the basis that an area (the relevant area) is within the offshore area of a State or the Northern Territory; and
(b) as a result of a change to the boundary of the coastal waters of the State or Territory, the relevant area:
(i) ceases to be within the offshore area of the State or Territory; and
(ii) falls within the coastal waters of the State or Territory; and
(c) immediately before the change, the relevant area was a part of the licence area;
then, in determining what constitutes the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of the licence, item 3 of the table in subsection (1) has effect as if:
(d) the licence had been varied to exclude from the licence area any area that is not within the offshore area of the State or Territory; and
(e) the variation had taken effect immediately after the change.
Note: This means that an application for renewal of the licence may be made, and the licence may be renewed, as if the licence had been so varied.
(1F) For the purposes of subsection (1E):
(a) disregard section 283; and
(b) it is immaterial whether the change occurred before, at or after the commencement of this subsection.
Greenhouse gas titles
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the table has effect:
| Renewal of title |
| | Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Item | A reference in this Act to... | is a reference to... |
| 1A | the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of a greenhouse gas assessment permit | the grant of a greenhouse gas assessment permit over all of the blocks in relation to which the permit mentioned in column 1 was in force, to begin on the day after the expiry date of the permit mentioned in column 1. |
| 1 | the renewal, or the grant of a renewal, of a greenhouse gas holding lease | the grant of a greenhouse gas holding lease over all of the blocks in relation to which the lease mentioned in column 1 was in force, to begin on the day after the expiry date of the lease mentioned in column 1. |
| | | |
12 Variation of titles
Petroleum titles
(1) If a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence, infrastructure licence, pipeline licence, petroleum special prospecting authority or petroleum access authority is varied, a reference in this Act to the permit, lease, licence or authority is a reference to the permit, lease, licence or authority as varied.
Greenhouse gas titles
(2) If:
(a) a greenhouse gas assessment permit; or
(b) a greenhouse gas holding lease; or
(c) a greenhouse gas injection licence; or
(d) a greenhouse gas search authority; or
(e) a greenhouse gas special authority;
is varied, a reference in this Act to the permit, lease, licence or authority is a reference to the permit, lease, licence or authority as varied.
13 Tied titles
Scope
(1) This section applies if a greenhouse gas holding lease (the greenhouse gas lease) is granted under section 345 to the registered holder of a petroleum retention lease (the petroleum lease).
Tied titles
(2) For the purposes of this Act, each of the following:
(a) the greenhouse gas lease;
(b) a greenhouse gas holding lease granted by way of renewal of the greenhouse gas lease;
(c) a greenhouse gas injection licence derived from a lease referred to in paragraph (a) or (b);
is tied to each of the following:
(d) the petroleum lease;
(e) a petroleum retention lease granted by way of renewal of the petroleum lease;
(f) a petroleum production licence derived from a lease referred to in paragraph (d) or (e).
14 Vacated area
For the purposes of this Act, the table has effect:
| Vacated area |
| Item | In the case of... | the vacated area is... |
| 1 | a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease or petroleum production licence that has expired | the area constituted by the blocks over which the permit, lease or licence was in force but has not been renewed. |
| 2 | a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease or petroleum production licence that has been wholly revoked or partly revoked | the area constituted by the blocks as to which the permit, lease or licence was so revoked. |
| 3 | a petroleum exploration permit or petroleum production licence that has been wholly cancelled or partly cancelled | the area constituted by the blocks as to which the permit or licence was so cancelled. |
| 4 | a petroleum retention lease that has been cancelled | the lease area. |
| 5 | a petroleum production licence that has been terminated | the licence area. |
| 6 | an infrastructure licence that has been cancelled or terminated | the licence area. |
| 7 | a pipeline licence that has been wholly or partly terminated | the part of the offshore area in which the pipeline or the part of the pipeline was constructed. |
| 8 | a pipeline licence that has been wholly cancelled or partly cancelled | the part of the offshore area in which the pipeline or the part of the pipeline was constructed. |
| 9 | a petroleum special prospecting authority that: (a) has been surrendered or cancelled; or (b) has expired | the authority area. |
| 10 | a petroleum access authority that: (a) has been revoked or surrendered; or (b) has expired | the authority area. |
| 11 | a greenhouse gas assessment permit that has expired | the area constituted by the blocks over which the permit was in force but has not been renewed. |
| 12 | a greenhouse gas holding lease (other than a special greenhouse gas holding licence) that has expired | the area constituted by the blocks over which the lease was in force but has not been renewed. |
| 13 | a greenhouse gas assessment permit that has been cancelled | the permit area. |
| 14 | a greenhouse gas holding lease that has been cancelled | the lease area. |
| 15 | a greenhouse gas injection licence that has been cancelled | the licence area. |
| 16 | a greenhouse gas search authority that: (a) has been surrendered or cancelled; or (b) has expired | the authority area. |
| 17 | a greenhouse gas special authority that: (a) has been revoked or surrendered; or (b) has expired | the authority area. |
15 Infrastructure facilities
Definition
(1) For the purposes of this Act, an infrastructure facility is a facility, structure or installation for engaging in any of the activities to which subsection (2) or (3) applies, so long as:
(a) the facility, structure or installation rests on the seabed; or
(b) the facility, structure or installation is fixed or connected to the seabed (whether or not the facility is floating); or
(c) the facility, structure or installation is attached or tethered to a facility, structure or installation referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).
Petroleum activities
(2) This subsection applies to the following activities:
(a) remote control of facilities, structures or installations used to recover petroleum in a petroleum production licence area;
(b) processing petroleum recovered in any place, including:
(i) converting petroleum into another form by physical or chemical means, or both (for example, converting it into liquefied natural gas or methanol); and
(ii) partial processing of petroleum (for example, by removing water);
(c) storing petroleum before it is transported to another place;
(d) preparing petroleum for transport to another place (for example, pumping or compressing);
(e) activities related to any of the above;
but, except as mentioned in paragraph (a), this subsection does not apply to exploring for, or recovering, petroleum.
Greenhouse gas activities
(3) This subsection applies to the following activities:
(a) activities preparatory to injecting a greenhouse gas substance into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation (for example, controlling the flow of a greenhouse gas substance into the relevant well);
(b) preparing a greenhouse gas substance for injection into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation (for example, pumping, processing or compressing);
(c) preparing a greenhouse gas substance for transport to another place (for example, pumping or compressing);
(d) storing a greenhouse gas substance before it is:
(i) transported to another place; or
(ii) injected into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(iii) subjected to any other activity at a facility, structure or installation;
(e) monitoring the behaviour of a greenhouse gas substance stored in an identified greenhouse gas storage formation;
(f) remote control of facilities, structures or installations used to:
(i) inject a greenhouse gas substance into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(ii) store a greenhouse gas substance in an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
(iii) do anything mentioned in any of the above paragraphs;
(g) activities related to any of the above.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the injection of a greenhouse gas substance into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation is taken to take place at the top of the relevant well.
16 Terminal station
(1) The Titles Administrator may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare any of the following to be a terminal station for the purposes of this Act:
(a) a specified petroleum pumping station in an offshore area;
(b) a specified petroleum tank station in an offshore area;
(c) a specified petroleum valve station in an offshore area.
(2) A declaration under subsection (1) has effect accordingly.
(3) To avoid doubt, a declaration may be made under subsection (1) whether or not a person has applied for a pipeline licence.
17 Terminal point
(1) The responsible Commonwealth Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that a specified point on a pipe, or system of pipes, for conveying a greenhouse gas substance is a terminal point for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A declaration under subsection (1) has effect accordingly.
(3) To avoid doubt, a declaration may be made under subsection (1) whether or not a person has applied for a pipeline licence.
18 Declared greenhouse gas facility
(1) The responsible Commonwealth Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that a specified facility, structure or installation in a greenhouse gas injection licence area is a declared greenhouse gas facility for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A declaration under subsection (1) has effect accordingly.
19 Extended meaning of explore
Petroleum
(1) For the purposes of this Act, if:
(a) a person:
(i) carries out a seismic survey, or any other kind of survey, in an offshore area; or
(ii) takes samples of the seabed or subsoil of an offshore area; and
(b) the person does so with the intention that the person or another could use the survey data, or information derived from the samples, as the case may be, for the purpose of discovering petroleum;
the person is taken to explore for petroleum.
Potential greenhouse gas storage formation
(2) For the purposes of this Act, if:
(a) a person:
(i) carries out a seismic survey, or any other kind of survey, in an offshore area; or
(ii) takes samples of the seabed or subsoil of an offshore area; and
(b) the person does so with the intention that the person or another could use the survey data, or information derived from the samples, as the case may be, for the purpose of discovering one or more potential greenhouse gas storage formations;
the person is taken to explore for those potential greenhouse gas storage formations.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, if:
(a) a person has reasonable grounds to suspect that a part of a geological formation could be an eligible greenhouse gas storage formation; and
(b) the person carries out an activity for the purposes of ascertaining either or both of the following:
(i) the spatial extent of the eligible greenhouse gas storage formation;
(ii) any of the fundamental suitability determinants of the eligible greenhouse gas storage formation;
the person is taken to explore for a potential greenhouse gas formation.
Potential greenhouse gas injection site
(4) For the purposes of this Act, if:
(a) a person:
(i) carries out a seismic survey, or any other kind of survey, in an offshore area; or
(ii) takes samples of the seabed or subsoil of an offshore area; and
(b) the person does so with the intention that the person or another could use the survey data, or information derived from the samples, as the case may be, for the purpose of discovering one or more potential greenhouse gas injection sites;
the person is taken to explore for those potential greenhouse gas injection sites.
20 Potential greenhouse gas storage formation
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a potential greenhouse gas storage formation is a part of a geological formation, where that part is suitable, with or without engineering enhancements