COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

NOTICE OF INVITATION FOR WORK-BID GREENHOUSE GAS ASSESSMENT PERMIT APPLICATION - 2023

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

Applications must be received, in the manner prescribed below, by Tuesday 28 November 2023 4:00 pm local time at the place of submission.

Amendments to the OPGGS Act came into force on 2 March 2022. Applicants are encouraged to review the amendments to ensure they are familiar with the new requirements.

The relevant amendments concerning applications for a work-bid Greenhouse Gas Assessment Permit are:

• subsections 296(3) and (3A), which provides that an application must be in the approved form (https://www.nopta.gov.au/forms/forms.html). Please refer to NOPTA Forms Guidance – Greenhouse Gas for submission requirements, available at https://www.nopta.gov.au/forms/nopta-forms/nopta-forms-guidance/NOPTA-Forms-Guidance-Greenhouse-Gas.pdf
• subsections 298(2A) and (2B) (see item 72 of Schedule 3), which provide for decision-making criteria for the grant of a work-bid Greenhouse Gas Assessment Permit
• section 695YB (see item 231 of Schedule 3), which provides for matters to which a decision-maker must have regard
• section 695YC, which provides for event occurrences that require a notice to be given.

Important information

When preparing a bid and planning, applicants should:

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

Public consultation comments

Applicants are advised to review public consultation feedback comments received in relation to the 2023 Offshore Greenhouse Gas Storage Acreage Release areas they intend to bid on via Consultation Hub at https://consult.industry.gov.au/2023-ghg-acreage-release.

Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981

Waters surrounding Australia's coastlines are protected from waste and pollution dumped at sea by the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (the Sea Dumping Act). Administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the Sea Dumping Act regulates the dumping of waste at sea, including the disposal of carbon dioxide (CO2) via Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) at sea. The Sea Dumping Act fulfils Australia's international obligations as a contracting party under the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972.

Proponents that wish to sequester CO2 in the sub-seabed via CCS in Australian waters will require a permit under the Sea Dumping Act. To grant a sea dumping permit for this purpose, the Minister for the Environment (or delegate) must be satisfied that the material meets the criteria set out in the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Protocol). This includes the composition of a CO2 stream and any contaminants. Permits are necessary to ensure that CO2 streams are loaded, transported and sequestered at appropriate offshore sites and that no significant adverse impacts result to the marine environment or human health.

Proponents are recommended to contact the sea dumping section at seadumping@dcceew.gov.au early in their project planning to understand their obligations under the Sea Dumping Act. More information on sea dumping and Australian waters is available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/marine/sea-dumping/dispose-co2.

Australian Marine Parks, Biologically Important Areas, Key Ecological Features and Heritage

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

• https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/marine/marine-bioregional-plans/about
• https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/marine/marine-species/bias
• https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/management/

The Australian Heritage Database provides information on the National Heritage values protected as Matters of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The Australian Heritage Database is available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/publications/australian-heritage-database. The Protected Matters Search Tool provides information on what is protected under the EPBC Act and is available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/protected-matters-search-tool.

Heritage places are protected under the EPBC Act as Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). Any action which has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on MNES requires referral for assessment under the EPBC Act.

Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH)

DCCEEW administers the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 (the UCH Act). The requirements of the UCH Act are separate to those of the EPBC Act. Any potential titleholder who is planning to undertake works in the offshore environment should consult heritage@dcceew.gov.au for advice on how to mitigate risks associated with underwater cultural heritage.

The Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database contains historical and environmental information about shipwrecks, sunken aircraft and other types of underwater heritage sites and is available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/underwater-heritage/auchd.

Unexploded ordnance

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

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

Consequently, the Australian Government provides no guarantee or indemnity regarding the safety or whereabouts of UXO.

Defence Practice Areas

Areas may coincide with offshore Defence Restricted Areas and restricted airspace. See the Aeronautical Information Package on the Airservices Australia website for more information on restricted airspaces, available at https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/aip.asp?pg=10. See notice to airmen on the National Aeronautical Information Processing System (NAIPS) for current restrictions, available at https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/naips/documents/about. See notice to mariners from the Australian Hydrographic Office for current restrictions, available at http://www.hydro.gov.au/n2m/notices.htm.

Storage Formation Integrity

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

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

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

Foreign Investment Review Board

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

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trailing liability

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

Seismic survey data

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

Geoscience Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Information Management System (NOPIMS) can assist with determining what data is available. NOPIMS is available at https://www.ga.gov.au/nopims.

GRATICULAR BLOCK LISTINGS

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-1

Bonaparte Basin, Vulcan Sub-basin

Map Sheet SC51 (Kupang)

Map Sheet SD51 (Brunswick Bay)

Assessed to contain 18 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-1 was known to be in proximity to the Oceanic Shoals, Kimberley, Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef marine park zones and the Western Australia State conservation areas managed by the Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (WA-DBCA) under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (WA) (CLM ACT (WA)), including but not limited to the North Kimberley Marine Park (M 20).

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-1 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Whale shark foraging

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-1 was known to overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Sahul Shelf

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-1 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permits AC/P66, AC/P69 and AC/P70.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-1 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPMIS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-2

Browse Basin, Barcoo Sub-basin and Leveque Shelf

Map Sheet SD51 (Brunswick Bay)

Assessed to contain 115 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-2 was known to overlap the Kimberley Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) and be in proximity to the Kimberley and Argo-Rowley Terrace marine park zones and Western Australia State conservation areas managed by WA-DBCA under the CLM ACT (WA), including but not limited to the Scott Reef Nature Reserve (R 42749) and Adele Island Nature Reserve (R 44675).

Biological important areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-2 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Lesser frigatebird breeding and foraging
• Greater frigatebird breeding and foraging
• Red-footed booby breeding and foraging
• Whale shark foraging
• Pygmy blue whale distribution

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-2 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Continental slope demersal fish communities
• Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-2 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-532-P.

Restricted Defence areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-2 was known to overlap Restricted Airspace R811.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-2 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-3

Northern Carnarvon Basin, Beagle Sub-basin

Map Sheet SE50 (Rowley Shoals)

Assessed to contain 83 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-3 was known to be in proximity to the Eighty Mile Beach, Dampier and Montebello marine park zones and Western Australia State conservation areas managed by WA-DBCA under the CLM ACT (WA), including but not limited to the Barrow Island Marine Management Area (M 12), Barrow Island Marine Park (M 10), Montebello Islands Marine Park (M 9), Barrow Island Nature Reserve (R 11648), Montebello Islands Conservation Park (R 42196), Bessieries Island Nature Reserve (R 44666) and Lowendal Islands Nature Reserve (R 33902).

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-3 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Whale shark foraging
• Pygmy blue whale distribution
• Wedge-tailed shearwater breeding and foraging

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-3 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-3 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permits WA-542-P and WA-547-P.

Subsea cables

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-3 was known to overlap the path of the under construction Vocus Highclere cable.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-3 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-4

Northern Carnarvon Basin, Barrow Sub-basin

Map Sheet SF50 (Hamersley Range)

Assessed to contain 35 blocks (includes 21 full blocks and 14 part blocks).

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-4 was known to overlap the Montebello Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) and be in proximity to the Dampier, Gascoyne and Ningaloo marine park zones and Western Australia State conservation areas managed by WA-DBCA under the CLM ACT (WA), including but not limited to the Barrow Island Marine Management Area (M 12), Barrow Island Marine Park (M 10), Montebello Islands Marine Park (M 9), Barrow Island Nature Reserve (R 11648), Montebello Islands Conservation Park (R 42196), Bessieries Island Nature Reserve (R 44666) and Lowendal Islands Nature Reserve (R 33902).

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-4 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Whale shark foraging
• Humpback whale migration
• Pygmy blue whale distribution
• Lesser crested tern breeding and foraging
• Fairy tern breeding and foraging
• Roseate tern breeding and foraging
• Wedge-tailed shearwater breeding and foraging
• Hawksbill turtle internesting buffer, nesting, foraging and mating
• Loggerhead turtle internesting buffer, nesting, foraging and mating
• Flatback turtle internesting buffer, nesting, foraging and mating
• Green turtle internesting buffer, nesting, foraging and mating

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-4 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-4 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Retention Lease WA-55-R
• Petroleum Production Licence WA-25-L

Restricted Defence areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-4 was known to overlap Restricted Airspace R852.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-4 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-5

Northern Carnarvon Basin, Barrow and Exmouth Sub-basins

Map Sheet SF49 (Cloates)

Map Sheet SF50 (Hamersley Range)

Assessed to contain 108 blocks (includes 103 full blocks and 5 part blocks).

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-5 was known to be in proximity to the Montebello, Dampier, Gascoyne and Ningaloo marine park zones and Western Australia State conservation areas managed by WA-DBCA under the CLM ACT (WA), including but not limited to the Barrow Island Marine Management Area (M 12), Barrow Island Marine Park (M 10), Montebello Islands Marine Park (M 9), Barrow Island Nature Reserve (R 11648), Montebello Islands Conservation Park (R 42196), Bessieries Island Nature Reserve (R 44666) and Lowendal Islands Nature Reserve (R 33902).

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-5 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Whale shark foraging
• Humpback whale migration
• Pygmy blue whale distribution
• Lesser crested tern breeding and foraging
• Roseate tern breeding and foraging
• Wedge-tailed shearwater breeding and foraging
• Fairy tern breeding and foraging
• Flatback turtle internesting buffer
• Green turtle internesting buffer
• Hawksbill turtle internesting buffer
• Loggerhead turtle internesting buffer

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-5 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Continental slope demersal fish communities
• Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour
• Canyons linking the Cuvier Abyssal Plain and the Cape Range Peninsula

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-5 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permits WA-155-P and WA-392-P.
• Petroleum Production Licences WA-10-L and WA-12-L

Restricted Defence areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-5 was known to overlap Restricted Airspace R852, R853 and R854 and the Learmonth Air Weapons Range.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-5 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (sourceNOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-6

Perth Basin, Abrolhos Sub-basin

Map Sheet SH50 (Perth)

Assessed to contain 108 blocks (includes 89 full blocks and 19 part blocks).

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known to overlap the Abrolhos Special Purpose Zone (IUCN VI) and be in proximity to the Jurien marine park zone and Western Australia State conservation areas managed by WA-DBCA under the CLM ACT (WA), including but not limited to the Beagle Islands Nature Reserve (R 26411), Beekeepers Nature Reserve (R 24496), Jurien Bay Marine Park (M 8) and the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park (R 53379).

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Humpback whale migration
• Pygmy blue whale distribution and foraging
• White shark foraging
• Sea lion foraging
• Pacific gull foraging
• Roseate tern foraging
• Caspian tern foraging
• Fairy tern foraging
• Little shearwater foraging
• Wedge-tailed shearwater foraging
• White-faced storm petrel foraging
• Common noddy foraging
• Bridled tern foraging
• Sooty tern foraging
• Soft-plumaged petrel foraging

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Western demersal slope and associated fish communities
• Western rock lobster
• Ancient coastline at 90 – 120 m depth

Native Title Determinations

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known overlap the following native title determinations (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• WCD2020/001 – Yamatji Nation

Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development region of note

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known to overlap with the Leeman Closure, and area designated by the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA-DPIRD) for conducting research into the western rock lobster. Seismic acquisition has the potential to be incompatible over the Leeman Closure.

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permit WA-481-P

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-6 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-7

Otway Basin, Inner Otway Sub-basin

Map Sheet SJ54 (Hamilton)

Assessed to contain 23 blocks (includes 14 full blocks and 9 part blocks).

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-7 was known to be in proximity to the Zeehan, Apollo, Franklin, Boags and Nelson marine park zones.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-7 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Indian yellow-nosed albatross foraging
• Black-browed albatross foraging
• Wandering albatross foraging
• Antipodean albatross foraging
• White shark distribution
• Wedge-tailed shearwater foraging
• Common diving-petrel foraging
• Pygmy blue whale distribution and foraging
• Southern right whale distribution and breeding
• Bullers albatross foraging
• Campbell albatross foraging
• Shy albatross foraging
• Short-tailed shearwater foraging

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-7 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permits VIC/P44 and VIC/P76
• Petroleum Production Licences VIC/L22, VIC/L24, VIC/L30, VIC/L33 and VIC/L34

Overlapping regions of note related to the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-7 was known to overlap the following proposed declared area in accordance with section 18 of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 (the OEI Act):

• Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021– Proposed Area – Southern Ocean Region

Subsea cables

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-7 was known to overlap the path of the INDIGO Central Cable System.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-7 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-8

Otway Basin, Inner Otway Sub-basin

Map Sheet SJ54 (Hamilton)

Assessed to contain 45 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-8 was known to be in proximity to the Apollo, Zeehan, Nelson, Franklin and Boags marine park zones.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-8 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Indian yellow-nosed albatross foraging
• Black-browed albatross foraging
• Wandering albatross foraging
• Antipodean albatross foraging
• White shark distribution
• Wedge-tailed shearwater foraging
• Common diving-petrel foraging
• Pygmy blue whale foraging and distribution
• Southern right whale distribution and breeding
• Bullers albatross foraging
• Campbell albatross foraging
• Shy albatross foraging
• Short-tailed shearwater foraging

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-8 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• West Tasmania canyons

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-8 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permits T/30P, T/49P, VIC/P43. VIC/P73 and VIC/P79
• Petroleum Production Licences T/L2, T/L3, T/L4 and VIC/L23

Subsea cables

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-8 was known to overlap the path of the INDIGO Central Cable System.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-8 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-9

Bass Basin, Cape Wickham Sub-basin

Map Sheet SJ55 (Melbourne)

Map Sheet SK55 (Tasmania)

Assessed to contain 152 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-9 was known to be in proximity to the Beagle, Franklin, Zeehan, Apollo, Flinders and Freycinet marine park zones.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-9 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• White shark distribution
• Pygmy blue whale foraging and distribution
• Southern right whale distribution and breeding
• Indian yellow-nosed albatross foraging
• Black-browed albatross foraging
• Wandering albatross foraging
• White-faced storm petrel foraging
• Common diving-petrel foraging
• Bullers albatross foraging
• Campbell albatross foraging
• Shy albatross foraging
• Short-tailed shearwater foraging

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-9 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Retention Leases T/RL2, T/RL4 and T/RL5
• Petroleum Production Licence T/L1

Overlapping regions of note related to the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021

At the time of gazettal, DCCEEW has identified the Bass Strait region off Northern Tasmania as a priority area for assessment for area declaration. There is potential for a declared area in the region to overlap with GHG23-9. See https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/establishing-offshore-infrastructure for further information about the status of the Bass Strait region off Northern Tasmania priority area.

Subsea cables

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-9 was known to overlap the path of the INDIGO Central Cable System.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-9 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: NOPIMS):

Greenhouse Gas Release Area GHG23-10

Gippsland Basin

Map Sheet SJ55 (Melbourne)

Assessed to contain 51 full blocks.

Marine parks

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known to be in proximity to the Beagle, East Gippsland and Flinders marine park zones.

Biologically Important Areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known to overlap the following BIAs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Indian yellow-nosed albatross foraging
• Black-browed albatross foraging
• Wandering albatross foraging
• White shark distribution and breeding
• Common diving-petrel foraging
• Southern right whale distribution
• Pygmy blue whale foraging and distribution
• Bullers albatross foraging
• Campbell albatross foraging
• Shy albatross foraging
• Short-tailed shearwater foraging

Key Ecological Features

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known overlap the following KEFs (noting that this list may not be exhaustive):

• Upwelling East of Eden

Overlapping petroleum titles under the OPGGS Act

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known to overlap the following titles under the OPGGS Act

• Petroleum Exploration Permits VIC/P72, VIC/P74 and VIC/P75
• Petroleum Retention Leases VIC/RL4 and VIC/RL17
• Petroleum Production Licences VIC/L1, VIC/L2, VIC/L3, VIC/L4, VIC/L9, VIC/L10, VIC/L13, VIC/L14, VIC/L16, VIC/L18. VIC/L19 and VIC/L29

Overlapping regions of note related to the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known to overlap the following declared area in accordance with section 17 of the OEI Act

• Declared Area OEI-01-2022

Restricted Defence areas

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known to overlap Restricted Airspace R359.

Wells within the area

At the time of gazettal, GHG23-10 was known to overlap the following wells (noting that this list may not be exhaustive) (source: GPinfo, a Petrosys Pty Ltd product):

APPLICATIONS

In accordance with subsection 296(3) of the OPGGS Act, applications under this section must:

1. be in the approved form; and
2.    be accompanied by any information or documents required by the form.

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

FEE

An application must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee and evidence of payment. The amount of the fee is prescribed in schedule 6 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011 (the RMA Regulations). Details on how to pay the prescribed fee are on NOPTA’s website.

Please note that application fees are subject to change. Applicants should refer to the application fee stated in Schedule 6, Part 1 of the RMA regulations or confirm with NOPTA prior to submitting an application. The schedule of fees is available at https://www.nopta.gov.au/_documents/schedule-of-fees.pdf.

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

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

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

The application must be on the approved application form and signed by all applicants. The application form is available for download from the NOPTA website at http://www.nopta.gov.au/forms/forms.html.

The application, together with evidence of payment of the application fee, must be submitted to the NOPTA in the following manner:

1. By accessing an account in the NEATS Secure Portal on the website of https://secure.neats.nopta.gov.au/SignIn and downloading and completing the application form from the NOPTA website and uploading the signed form and accompanying documents into the Portal. This is the preferred method of submission.

2.      Electronic copy, searchable file format, of the application loaded onto a USB sealed and enclosed in a plain covering envelope clearly marked as “Application for Area [Release Area Number as appropriate] Commercial-in-Confidence. The package must be delivered by hand (couriers accepted) to the address stated below.

For more information on submitting an application please refer to the NEATS secure portal guide, which is available at https://www.nopta.gov.au/neats-info/secure-portal/NEATS-Secure-Portal-Guidance.pdf, email ghg@nopta.gov.au or phone (08) 6424 5317.

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

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