Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Regulations 2020

I, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following regulations.

Dated 02 April 2020

David Hurley

Governor‑General

By His Excellency’s Command

Keith Pitt

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia

Contents

1 Name

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Schedules

Schedule 1—Levies

Part 1—Amendments commencing day after registration

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

Part 2—Amendments relating to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to Levies Amendment Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

Part 3—Amendments relating to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to Miscellaneous Amendments Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

Part 4—Amendments relating to Schedule 3 to Levies Amendment Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

Part 5—Amendments relating to Schedule 6 to Levies Amendment Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

Schedule 2—Resource management and administration

Part 1—Amendments commencing first

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011

Part 2—Amendments commencing later

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011

Schedule 3—Environment

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009

1  Name

  This instrument is the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Regulations 2020.

2  Commencement

 (1) Each provision of this instrument 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.

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

 (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the following:

 (a) the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006;

 (b) the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Act 2003.

4  Schedules

  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Levies

Part 1—Amendments commencing day after registration

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

1  Regulation 3 (definition of OHS inspector)

Repeal the definition.

2  Subparagraphs 4(2)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii)

Omit “the Safety Authority”, substitute “NOPSEMA”.

3  Paragraph 7(3)(a)

Omit “OHS inspectors”, substitute “NOPSEMA inspectors”.

4  Subregulation 9(3) (note)

Omit “an OHS inspector”, substitute “a NOPSEMA inspector”.

5  Paragraph 14(3)(a)

Omit “OHS inspectors”, substitute “NOPSEMA inspectors”.

6  Subregulation 16(3) (note)

Omit “an OHS inspector”, substitute “a NOPSEMA inspector”.

7  Paragraph 59(2)(a)

After “Regulations”, insert “or to regulation 5.06 of the old Resource Management and Administration Regulations”.

Part 2—Amendments relating to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to Levies Amendment Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

8  Regulation 54 (definition of old Resource Management and Administration Regulations)

Repeal the definition.

9  Regulation 55

After “an application”, insert “or submission”.

10  Regulation 55 (table, heading to column headed “Application”)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

11  Regulation 55 (table item 2)

Repeal the item, substitute:

12  Regulation 55 (note)

Repeal the note.

13  Subregulation 56(2)

Omit “submits an application to NOPSEMA”.

14  Paragraph 56(2)(a)

Before “under”, insert “submits an application to NOPSEMA”.

15  Paragraph 56(2)(b)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (b) submits to NOPSEMA, under regulation 5.13 of the Resource Management and Administration Regulations, a proposed revision of a well operations management plan.

16  Regulation 58

After “an application”, insert “or submission”.

17  Regulation 58 (table, heading to column headed “Application”)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

18  Regulation 58 (at the end of the table)

Add:

19  After paragraph 59(2)(a)

Insert:

 (aa) submits to NOPSEMA, under a regulation of a State or Territory that substantially corresponds to regulation 5.13 of the Resource Management and Administration Regulations, a proposed revision of a well operations management plan; or

Part 3—Amendments relating to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to Miscellaneous Amendments Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

20  Regulation 36

Insert:

eligible title has the meaning given by section 9 of the Regulatory Levies Act.

21  Regulation 36 (definition of petroleum title)

Repeal the definition.

22  Regulation 36 (definition of registered holder)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

23  Before regulation 37

Insert:

Subdivision A—Levy on compliance investigations concerning contravention of clause 13A of Schedule 3 to OPGGS Act

36A  Scope of this Subdivision

  This Subdivision applies to a compliance investigation concerning a contravention or possible contravention of subclause 13A(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to the OPGGS Act.

Note: Those subclauses impose duties on registered holders of petroleum titles relating to wells used or to be used for operations authorised by the titles.

24  Subregulation 37(1)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

25  Subregulation 38(1) (note)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

26  Paragraph 38(2)(b)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

27  Subregulation 38(3)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

28  Subregulation 38(3)

Omit “the petroleum title”, substitute “the eligible title”.

29  Subregulation 39(1)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

30  At the end of Division 2 of Part 6

Add:

Subdivision B—Levy on compliance investigations concerning contravention of clause 13B of Schedule 3 to OPGGS Act

39A  Zero levy on compliance investigations concerning contravention of clause 13B of Schedule 3 to OPGGS Act

  For the purposes of subsection 9(4) of the Regulatory Levies Act, the amount of well investigation levy imposed on a compliance investigation concerning a contravention or possible contravention of subclause 13B(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to the OPGGS Act is zero.

Note: Those subclauses impose duties on registered holders of greenhouse gas titles relating to wells used or to be used for operations authorised by the titles.

31  Before regulation 40

Insert:

39B  Scope of this Division

  This Division applies in relation to:

 (a) a compliance investigation concerning a contravention or possible contravention of subclause 13A(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to the OPGGS Act; and

 (b) well investigation levy imposed on such an investigation.

Note: Those subclauses impose duties on registered holders of petroleum titles relating to wells used or to be used for operations authorised by the titles.

32  Subregulation 40(3)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

33  Paragraph 41(4)(a)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

34  Regulation 42 (definition of registered holder)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

35  Regulation 42 (definition of State/Territory petroleum title)

Repeal the definition.

36  Regulation 42

Insert:

State/Territory title has the meaning given by section 10 of the Regulatory Levies Act.

37  Before regulation 43

Insert:

Subdivision A—Levy on inspections concerning contravention of provision corresponding to clause 13A of Schedule 3 to OPGGS Act

42A  Scope of this Subdivision

  This Subdivision applies to an inspection concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a provision of a State PSLA or Territory PSLA that substantially corresponds to subclause 13A(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to the OPGGS Act.

Note: Those subclauses impose duties on registered holders of petroleum titles relating to wells used or to be used for operations authorised by the titles.

38  Subregulation 43(1)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

39  Subregulation 44(1) (note)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

40  Paragraph 44(2)(b)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

41  Subregulation 44(3)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

42  Subregulation 44(3)

Omit “the petroleum title”, substitute “the title”.

43  Subregulation 45(1)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

44  At the end of Division 2 of Part 7

Add:

Subdivision B—Levy on inspections concerning contravention of provision corresponding to clause 13B of Schedule 3 to OPGGS Act

45A  Zero levy on inspections concerning contravention of provision corresponding to clause 13B of Schedule 3 to OPGGS Act

  For the purposes of subsection 10(4) of the Regulatory Levies Act, the amount of well investigation levy imposed on an inspection concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a provision of a State PSLA or Territory PSLA that substantially corresponds to subclause 13B(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to the OPGGS Act is zero.

Note: Those subclauses impose duties on registered holders of greenhouse gas titles relating to wells used or to be used for operations authorised by the titles.

45  Before regulation 46

Insert:

45B  Scope of this Division

  This Division applies in relation to:

 (a) an inspection concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a provision of a State PSLA or Territory PSLA that substantially corresponds to subclause 13A(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 to the OPGGS Act; and

 (b) well investigation levy imposed on such an inspection.

Note: Those subclauses impose duties on registered holders of petroleum titles relating to wells used or to be used for operations authorised by the titles.

46  Subregulation 46(3)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

47  Paragraph 47(4)(a)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

48  Part 8 (heading)

Omit “petroleum”.

49  Before regulation 48

Insert:

Division 1—Definitions

50  Regulation 48

Insert:

eligible title has the meaning given by section 10A of the Regulatory Levies Act.

51  Before regulation 49

Insert:

Division 2—Annual well levy

Subdivision A—Levy for eligible wells in relation to petroleum titles

48A  Scope of this Subdivision

  This Subdivision applies to annual well levy on an eligible well in relation to an eligible title that is a petroleum title.

52  At the end of Part 8

Add:

Subdivision B—Levy for eligible wells in relation to greenhouse gas titles

50A  Zero annual well levy

  For the purposes of subsection 10A(4) of the Regulatory Levies Act, the amount of annual well levy is zero for the year for each eligible well in relation to an eligible title that is a greenhouse gas title (within the meaning of section 10A of that Act).

53  Part 9 (heading)

Omit “petroleum”.

54  Before regulation 51

Insert:

Division 1—Definitions

55  Regulation 51

Insert:

State/Territory title has the meaning given by section 10B of the Regulatory Levies Act.

56  Before regulation 52

Insert:

Division 2—Annual well levy

Subdivision A—Levy for eligible wells in relation to State/Territory petroleum titles

51A  Scope of this Subdivision

  This Subdivision applies to annual well levy on an eligible well in relation to a State/Territory title that is a State/Territory petroleum title.

57  Regulation 52

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

58  At the end of Part 9

Add:

Subdivision B—Levy for eligible wells in relation to State/Territory greenhouse gas titles

53A  Zero annual well levy

  For the purposes of subsection 10B(4) of the Regulatory Levies Act, the amount of annual well levy is zero for the year for each eligible well in relation to a State/Territory title that is a State/Territory greenhouse gas title (within the meaning of section 10B of that Act).

59  Part 10 (heading)

Omit “petroleum”.

60  Before regulation 54

Insert:

Division 1—Definitions

61  Regulation 54

Insert:

eligible title has the meaning given by section 10C of the Regulatory Levies Act.

62  Regulation 54 (definition of registered holder)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

63  Before regulation 55

Insert:

Division 2—Well activity levy

Subdivision A—Levy payable by registered holders of petroleum titles

54A  Scope of this Subdivision

  This Subdivision applies to well activity levy payable under section 10C of the Regulatory Levies Act by the registered holder of an eligible title that is a petroleum title.

64  Subregulation 56(2)

Omit “a petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title”.

65  At the end of Part 10

Add:

Subdivision B—Levy relating to greenhouse gas titles

56A  Zero well activity levy

  For the purposes of subsection 10C(4) of the Regulatory Levies Act, the amount of well activity levy imposed by subsection 10C(1) of that Act in relation to the registered holder of an eligible title that is a greenhouse gas title (within the meaning of section 10C of that Act) is zero.

66  Part 11 (heading)

Omit “petroleum”.

67  Before regulation 57

Insert:

Division 1—Definitions

68  Regulation 57 (definition of registered holder)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

69  Regulation 57

Insert:

State/Territory title has the meaning given by section 10D of the Regulatory Levies Act.

70  Before regulation 58

Insert:

Division 2—Well activity levy

Subdivision A—Levy payable by registered holders of State/Territory petroleum titles

57A  Scope of this Subdivision

  This Subdivision applies to well activity levy payable under section 10D of the Regulatory Levies Act by the registered holder of a State/Territory title that is a State/Territory petroleum title.

71  Subregulation 59(2)

Omit “State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “State/Territory title”.

72  At the end of Part 11

Add:

Subdivision B—Levy relating to State/Territory greenhouse gas titles

59AAA  Zero well activity levy

  For the purposes of subsection 10D(4) of the Regulatory Levies Act, the amount of well activity levy imposed by subsection 10D(1) of that Act in relation to the registered holder of a State/Territory title that is a State/Territory greenhouse gas title (within the meaning of section 10D of that Act) is zero.

73  Paragraph 62(3)(c)

Omit “a petroleum title or a State/Territory petroleum title”, substitute “an eligible title or a State/Territory title”.

74  Subregulation 63(1)

After “offshore petroleum industry”, insert “and the greenhouse gas storage industry”.

Part 4—Amendments relating to Schedule 3 to Levies Amendment Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

75  Regulation 6

Insert:

compliance investigation has the meaning given by section 3 of the Regulatory Levies Act.

76  Regulation 6 (definition of inspection)

Repeal the definition.

77  Subregulation 7(1)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

78  Subregulation 7(1)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

79  Subregulation 7(2)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

80  Subregulations 7(2) and (3)

Omit “the inspection” (wherever occurring), substitute “the compliance investigation”.

81  Subregulation 7(4)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

82  Subregulation 7(5)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

83  Subregulation 7(5)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

84  Subregulation 8(2)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

85  Subregulation 8(2)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

86  Paragraph 8(9)(b)

Omit “the inspection” (wherever occurring), substitute “the compliance investigation”.

87  Paragraphs 9(1)(a) and (b)

Omit “inspection” (wherever occurring), substitute “compliance investigation”.

88  Subregulation 9(2)

Omit “the inspection” (wherever occurring), substitute “the compliance investigation”.

89  Subregulation 9(2) (note)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

90  Subregulation 9(3)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

91  Subregulation 9(3)

Omit “the inspection” (wherever occurring), substitute “the compliance investigation”.

92  Subregulations 10(1) and 11(2)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

93  Subregulation 11(2)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

94  Subregulation 11(3)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

95  Paragraphs 11(3)(a) and (b) and (4)(a) and (b)

Omit “the inspection” (wherever occurring), substitute “the compliance investigation”.

96  Subregulation 11(4) (note)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

97  Paragraph 12(1)(a)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

98  Regulation 36

Insert:

compliance investigation has the meaning given by section 3 of the Regulatory Levies Act.

99  Regulation 36 (definition of inspection)

Repeal the definition.

100  Subregulations 37(1) and (2)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

101  Subparagraphs 37(9)(b)(i) and (ii)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

102  Subregulation 38(1)

Omit “an inspection” (first occurring), substitute “a compliance investigation”.

103  Subregulation 38(1)

Omit “the inspection” (first occurring), substitute “the compliance investigation”.

104  Subregulation 38(1) (table item 1)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

105  Subregulation 38(1) (note)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

106  Subregulation 38(1) (note)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

107  Subregulation 38(2) (heading)

Omit “inspection”, substitute “compliance investigation”.

108  Subregulation 38(2)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

109  Paragraphs 38(2)(a) and (b)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

110  Subregulation 39(1)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

111  Paragraph 40(2)(a)

Omit “the inspection”, substitute “the compliance investigation”.

112  Subregulation 41(1)

Omit “an inspection”, substitute “a compliance investigation”.

Part 5—Amendments relating to Schedule 6 to Levies Amendment Act

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2004

113  After Part 12

Insert:

Part 12A—Regulations prescribed for particular provisions of Act

64  Regulations prescribed for particular provisions of Act

  For the purposes of a provision of the Regulatory Levies Act mentioned in column 1 of an item of the following table, each of the regulations, or provisions of regulations, made under the OPGGS Act and mentioned in column 2 of the item is prescribed.

Schedule 2—Resource management and administration

Part 1—Amendments commencing first

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011

1  Paragraph 1.06(3)(l)

Omit “section 349 or 361”, substitute “section 361 or 369”.

2  Regulation 5.02 (definition of Regulator)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

Regulator means NOPSEMA.

3  Subregulation 5.04(2) (note 2)

Repeal the note, substitute:

Note 2: NOPSEMA may give directions to titleholders that may relate to a well activity and must be complied with despite anything in these Regulations: see sections 574, 576B and 576C of the Act. NOPSEMA and the responsible Commonwealth Minister may also give remedial directions about plugging or closing off wells: see sections 586, 586A, 591B and 592 of the Act.

4  Subregulation 5.05(2) (note 2)

Repeal the note, substitute:

Note 2: NOPSEMA may give directions to titleholders that may relate to a well activity and must be complied with despite anything in these Regulations: see sections 574, 576B and 576C of the Act. NOPSEMA and the responsible Commonwealth Minister may also give remedial directions about plugging or closing off wells: see sections 586, 586A, 591B and 592 of the Act.

5  Paragraph 5.10(3)(b)

Omit “or 586 of the Act which”, substitute “, 579A, 586 or 591B of the Act that”.

6  Paragraph 5.10(3)(c)

Omit “574A, 580, 586A or 592 of the Act which”, substitute “586A or 592 of the Act that”.

7  Paragraph 5.18(a)

Omit “574A, 576B, 576C, 580, 586, 586A”, substitute “576B, 579A, 586, 586A, 591B”.

8  Division 9 of Part 5 (heading)

Omit “if NOPSEMA is Regulator”.

9  Regulation 5.27

Repeal the regulation.

10  Regulation 5.29

Omit “or 586A”, substitute “, 580, 586A or 592”.

11  Subregulation 11A.01(1) (table item 4)

After “section 286A” (wherever occurring)”, insert “or 452A”.

12  Subregulation 11A.05(2)

Omit “responsible Commonwealth Minister, nominate one of them”, substitute “Titles Administrator and NOPSEMA, nominate one of the registered holders”.

13  Paragraph 11A.05(5)(b)

Omit “responsible Commonwealth Minister”, substitute “Titles Administrator and NOPSEMA”.

14  Paragraph 12.05(1)(b)

Omit “, a NOPSEMA inspector or a greenhouse gas project inspector,”, substitute “or a NOPSEMA inspector”.

Part 2—Amendments commencing later

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011

15  After Part 11A

Insert:

Part 11B—Regulations prescribed for particular provisions of Act

11B.01  Regulations prescribed for particular provisions of Act

  For the purposes of a provision of the Act mentioned in column 1 of an item of the following table, each of the regulations, or provisions of regulations, mentioned in column 2 of the item is prescribed.

Schedule 3—Environment

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009

1  Regulation 4 (definition of Regulator)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

Regulator means NOPSEMA.

2  Subparagraph 23(2)(a)(ii)

Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:

 (ii) a direction given by the Regulator under section 574, 576B, 579A, 586 or 591B; or

 (iii) a direction given by the responsible Commonwealth Minister under section 580 or 592; or

3  Paragraph 28(2)(b)

Repeal the paragraph.

4  Paragraph 28(2)(c)

Omit “a greenhouse gas project inspector,”.

5  Paragraph 28(4)(a)

Repeal the paragraph.

6  Paragraph 28(4)(b)

Omit “a greenhouse gas project inspector or” (wherever occurring).

7  Paragraph 28(4)(b)

Omit “petroleum project inspector”, substitute “NOPSEMA inspector”.

8  In the appropriate position in Part 5

Insert:

Division 5.5—Transitional arrangements relating to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Regulations 2020

52  Things done by or in relation to the responsible Commonwealth Minister as Regulator

 (1) This regulation applies to a thing done, before the commencement of Schedule 3 to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Regulations 2020, by or in relation to the responsible Commonwealth Minister as the Regulator for a greenhouse gas activity.

 (2) On and after that commencement, these Regulations apply in relation to the thing as if it had been done by or in relation to NOPSEMA as the Regulator when the thing was done by or in relation to the responsible Commonwealth Minister.