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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OHS Prohibition Notice Conducting hot work activities in hazardous areas.
|
27/10/2015 | Atwood Australian Waters Drilling Pty Ltd | Atwood Eagle | A452882.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Serious health effects that could lead to permanent, progressive and irreversible vibration-induced white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, and/or neurological disorders, as result of personnel being exposed to hand-arm vibration due to using portable vibrating mechanical equipment.
|
11/09/2015 | Noble Contracting II GmbHv | Noble Clyde Boudreaux | A445128.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Serious health effects that could lead to occupational noise-induced hearing loss to personnel undertaking work in, and in proximity to, the engine room, emergency generator room, mud pump room and starboard-aft area (where the air compressors, air dryers and BOP Control unit rooms are located) or where noise generating portable equipment is being used.
|
11/09/2015 | Noble Contracting II GmbH | Noble Clyde Boudreaux | A445124.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice There is an increased risk of drowning of casualties from a helicopter crash or man overboard event at the facility.
|
12/08/2015 | MODEC Venture 11 B.V. | MODEC Venture 11 | A438343.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice The operator's emergency procedures for unplanned/uncontrolled pipe moves do not adequately address the control of, and response to unplanned/uncontrolled pipe moves at the facility with respect to the risks to personnel that may be working in the firing line in close proximity to the pipe.
|
07/08/2015 | Saipem (Portugal) Comercio Maritimo, Sociedade Unipessoal, LDA | Castorone | A435135.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Personnel undertaking work in the firing line could not: demonstrate an effective understanding of the signals, alarms and shutdowns associated with their respective workstations; recall receiving formalised instruction; demonstrate actions they are required to undertake during an unplanned/uncontrolled pipe move; or recall any drills having been performed for an uncontrolled pipe moves at the facility.
|
07/08/2015 | Saipem (Portugal) Comercio Maritimo, Sociedade Unipessoal, LDA | Castorone | A435136.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Prohibition Notice Routine maintenance of the DP software system resulted in a vessel excursion that caused an unplanned pipe movement in the 'firing line', while workers were in close proximity to the pipe. No 'firing line' alarm or PA was sounded to alert personnel.
|
30/07/2015 | Saipem (Portugal) Comercio Maritimo, Sociedade Unipessoal, LDA | Castorone | A434245.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Essential/emergency electrical equipment that remains energised during an emergency shutdown condition represents a potential ignition source in the event of a hydrocarbon release.
|
21/07/2015 | Quadrant Energy Australia Limited | Stag CPF | A432301.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Defects in Ex equipment which requires urgent rectification present potential ignition sources which could result in fire and/or explosion in the event of a hydrocarbon release.
|
21/07/2015 | Quadrant Energy Australia Limited | Stag CPF | A432300.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Internal corrosion of Ex equipment in hazardous areas means that the equipment has the potential to be an ignition source which could result in fire and/or explosion in the event of a hydrocarbon release.
|
21/07/2015 | Quadrant Energy Australia Limited | Stag CPF | A432299.pdf | Complied with |