Petroleum and Geothermal Safety

The following Acts apply to onshore and offshore petroleum, pipeline and geothermal energy operations in Western Australia:

• Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA)
• Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA)
• Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA)

Resources Safety has responsibility for OSH and structural integrity regulation of petroleum, pipeline and geothermal activities, both onshore and in coastal waters, and provides specialist technical advice to the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Executive Director Petroleum Division in relation to petroleum, pipeline and geothermal operations. Resources Safety staff are appointed as inspectors under the petroleum legislation.

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Copies of the Acts are only available from the State Law Publisher (external links provided below).

• Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA)
• Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA)
• Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA).
  

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Copies of the Regulations are only available from the State Law Publisher (external links provided below).

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In order to assist industry to understand and implement the new legislative requirements, comprehensive guidance material to support the new regulations is under development and will be available in the Safety Guidance and FAQs > Pipeline, Petroleum and Geothermal Operations section.

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From 1 January 2012 the responsibility for administering safety regulatory responsibilities for coastal waters under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 and attendant regulations reverted to the DMP. This service had previously been provided by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA).

The legislative amendments contain transitional arrangements whereby safety documentation previously accepted by NOPSA remains accepted and in force until such time there is a legislative requirement for review.

The Petroleum Safety Branch of Resources Safety has the responsibility for the day to day administration of the listed OSH laws contain in the submerged lands legislation that applies to all State coastal waters from the MLWM on the mainland to the 3NM limit. This legislation applies to all offshore petroleum and diving operations including vessels engaged in such activities.

For further information on the changes please contact Petroleum Safety on Phone 9222 3595, Fax 9222 3383 or Email alan.gooch@dmp.wa.gov.au.

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