We extended the closing date for this consultation to 2 August 2024. The original closing date was 19 July 2024.
Overview
The offshore decommissioning of oil and gas operations involves removing or satisfactorily dealing with the property and infrastructure. Decommissioning must be timely, safe and environmentally responsible.
The draft guidance outlines the types of property and infrastructure that can’t be left in the sea. It also includes the types that may be permitted to be left in the sea, in limited circumstances. As well as issues for titleholders and operators to consider.
The draft guidance clarifies:
how Australia’s offshore decommissioning and sea dumping frameworks connect.
the application and assessment considerations when an oil and gas titleholder is seeking permission to leave property or infrastructure in place.
The guidance follows the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981.
Three entities are responsible for the draft guidance:
Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
We’re seeking feedback from anyone with an interest in removing oil and gas property and sea dumping of infrastructure in Commonwealth waters as part of decommissioning. Your feedback will inform the final guidance content.
To meet our website and accessibility standards, we may make further changes to the draft guidance before we publish it.
Consultation documents
Draft Australian Government guidance for removal of oil and gas property and sea dumping of infrastructure in Commonwealth waters [268 KB PDF] [101 KB DOCX]
Consultation sessions
We’re holding sessions to discuss the draft guidance and receive feedback.
Please register your interest by 21 June 2024.
