Outcomes

We received feedback on the guidance material through 6 written submissions.

During the consultation period our department also held a virtual meeting with approximately 40 representatives from oil and gas companies and member associations. Participants discussed the guidance material and provided feedback during the meeting.

Consultation feedback focused on the following key themes:

  • financial and technical assessment requirements
  • technical expertise and experience declaration requirements for directors
  • relevant matters for application assessment
  • procedural fairness and review practices
  • timing and scope of change of control applications
  • deviations from standard decommissioning requirements
  • sea dumping requirements
  • EPBC Act referral requirements.

Our department has made some amendments to the guidance in response to feedback. Where relevant, feedback has also been incorporated into new application forms designed. Updates further clarify requirements and streamline provision of information as much as possible. 

Final versions of the guidelines and fact sheets will be published on the NOPTA website.

Our department and NOPTA intend to review new processes approximately 12 months after commencement. We will make any further adjustments to guidance materials at that time.

Feedback was also provided on government policy that was outside of the scope of this guideline update. We have recorded these matters for further consideration.

Overview

Our department is inviting feedback on draft offshore oil and gas guidelines and factsheets. We want to know if they are easy to understand and action.

We have updated and prepared new guidance material to address amendments to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. The updated guidance gives effect to some of the measures in the enhanced decommissioning framework. It also implements recommendations from the Independent review into the circumstances leading to the administration and liquidation of Northern Oil and Gas Australia (Walker Review).

This includes:

  • increased government oversight of changes in company control
  • decision-making criteria and expanded information gathering powers to assess suitability of companies.

Most of the reforms will come into force on 2 March 2022. We are consulting now to ensure the updated guidance material is available to industry before this time. 

Guidance materials to support the expanded trailing liability provisions in the Act are in development and will be published in 2022. 

Guidelines and factsheets

Applicant suitability

Exploration

Retention leases

Decommissioning

Transfers, dealings and change in company control applications

Read more

Access the future version of the OPGGS Act

Timeline

  • Opened
    closed
    24 October 2021
  • Closed
    closed
    22 November 2021
Contact
Decommissioning Implementation