Regional Reports

Australia considers combining coastal waters approval processes

July 17, 2015

Australia’s Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, the Department of Industry and Science, and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority have agreed to assess the authorization process for petroleum activities in the coastal waters of South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Related To: NOPSEMA

Offshore staff

MELBOURNE, Australia– Australia’s Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, the Department of Industry and Science, and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) have agreed to assess the authorization process for petroleum activities in the coastal waters of South Australia and the Northern Territory.

At present, projects that cross commonwealth and state jurisdictions may have to reconcile multiple separate approvals for the same activity.

One option is to confer powers and functions for the regulation of work health and safety, well integrity, and environmental management for petroleum activities in coastal waters to NOPSEMA.

Those interested can review the draft terms of reference and provide comments through Aug. 14, 2015.

07/17/2015