Published directions and notices
As part of its regulatory functions under the OPGGS Act and to increase transparency, NOPSEMA publishes directions, prohibition notices and improvement notices. These regulatory enforcement actions are published within 7 days and no later than 21 days of issuance and the provisions for publication do not apply to any other types of notices, letters or enforcement actions issued by NOPSEMA or NOPSEMA inspectors.
Published directions, improvement and prohibition notices will not be removed when they cease to have effect, however, in the event a direction/notice is the subject of external review it will be removed. Where a direction is revoked, the direction is cancelled from the date specified in the revocation notice. NOPSEMA will ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable all personal information as defined in the Privacy Act 1988 is redacted from these documents prior to publication. When a direction or notice is marked closed, it means that the duty holder has notified NOPSEMA that the direction or notice has been complied with.
Under Part 6.2 of the OPGGS Act, NOPSEMA and the responsible Commonwealth Minister have powers to issue directions to petroleum or greenhouse gas titleholders. NOPSEMA can issue three types of directions: general directions, significant incident directions and remedial directions. The directions powers are used by NOPSEMA for enforcing compliance with the OPGGS Act and associated regulations. Failure to comply with directions is an offence.
A prohibition notice may be issued if a NOPSEMA inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds that there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person or an immediate and significant threat to the environment. A prohibition notice stops the duty holder from continuing their activity and will only cease to have effect when a NOPSEMA inspector is satisfied adequate action has been taken to remove the threat specified in the notice. Failure to comply with a prohibition notice is an offence.
An improvement notice may be issued if a NOPSEMA inspector believes the duty holder or titleholder is contravening or has contravened a provision of offshore petroleum Commonwealth OHS or environmental law and as a result there is, or could be, a risk to the health and safety of any person or a significant threat to the environment. The notice will cease to have effect when the responsible duty holder or titleholder takes the action specified in the notice. Failure to comply with an improvement notice is an offence.
Sort published directions and notices
| Type Of Notice | Date issued | Organisation | Facility / activity | Notice | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Improvement Notice Unplanned release of hazardous substance to the marine environment
|
19/09/2024 | Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd | Bass Strait Operations, Marlin B facility | Environmental Improvement Notice 1952.pdf | Open |
| WI Improvement Notice Overdue maintenance on the christmas trees or wellhead equipment on 28 out of 46 wells.
|
19/09/2024 | Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd | West Tuna | Well Integrity Improvement Notice 1951.pdf | Complied with |
| General Direction The General Direction was issued Ensure to ensure that the current condition and structural integrity of topside processing areas on the Pyrenees facility do not present a risk to the safety of personnel on the facility.
|
09/09/2024 | Woodside Energy (Australia) Pty Ltd | Pyrenees Facility | General Direction 1953.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice | 26/07/2024 | Esso Australia Pty Ltd | Marlin Complex | Improvement Notice 1949.pdf | Open |
| General Direction The General Direction was issued to ensure that appropriate steps are taken before and after cessation of petroleum production to reduce risks to the workforce and environment.
|
08/07/2024 | Triangle Energy (Operations) Pty Ltd, Triangle Energy Offshore Pty Ltd, and Triangle Energy Onshore Pty Ltd | Cliff Head Operations WA-31-L and WA-12-PL | General Direction - 1947.pdf | Open |
| General Direction The General Direction was issued to ensure implementation of a safe system of work for donning and doffing lifejackets and associated equipment.
|
29/05/2024 | Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd | VIC/L2, VIC/L3, VIC/L4, VIC/L5, VIC/L7, VIC/L9, VIC/L10, VIC/L11, VIC/L13, VIC/L14, VIC/L15, VIC/L17 | General Direction 1936.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Lack of engineering controls for welding emissions
|
21/05/2024 | Saipem Australia Pty Ltd | Castorone | Improvement Notice 1943.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Loss of position of supply vessel during cargo transfer operations
|
27/03/2024 | Allseas Engineering B.V. | Audacia | OHS Improvement Notice 1934.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the Explosion Protected (Ex) electrical equipment installed at the Goodwyn Alpha facility is safe and without risk to the health and safety of persons.
|
27/03/2024 | Woodside Energy Limited | Goodwyn Alpha | OHS Improvement Notice 1935.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Fire doors leading from the main accommodation stairwell to adjoining corridors on all deck levels of the facility failing to self-close or latch after passing through them.
|
12/02/2024 | Helix Wells Ops (UK) Limited | Q7000 | Improvement Notice 1933.pdf | Complied with |