Spill Contingency Planning

NOPSEMA is the Statutory Agency responsible for the oversight of response actions to pollution events from offshore petroleum operations in areas of Commonwealth jurisdiction. It administers the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009. These Regulations require an operator have an “in force” environment plan which includes an Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) before commencing any petroleum activity. 

Regulation 14(8) requires that the implementation strategy must contain an oil spill contingency plan and provide for the maintenance of an up-to-date oil spill contingency plan (OSCP) containing emergency response arrangements. Regulations 14(8AA) and 14(8A) define the requirements for OSCPs.

The objective of this regulation is to ensure that all plausible oil spill risks associated with the activity that have the potential for environmental impact have been identified and are adequately prepared for and that adequately tested response measures are in place.

To report a spill or incident click here

 Regulatory approach to OSCPs for offshore petroleum activities

  • An OSCP is considered as part of an environment plan and part of the environment plan acceptance process.
  • An OSCP is subject to the same revision arrangements as an environment plan. Modifications to an OSCP may trigger a revision of the associated environment plan if related to a change in environmental risk or introduction of a new risk. Operators are required to regularly test and update the arrangements outlined in the OSCP.  Minor updates to the OSCP may not be considered to trigger the environment plan revision and assessment process.
  • The operator must have completed and demonstrated the necessary consultation with relevant authorities, response organisations and other stakeholders.

Links

  • Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC)

         http://www.aip.com.au/amosc/

  • Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) National Plan

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/National_plan/

  • International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)

         http://www.ipieca.org/focus-area/oil-spill-preparedness

  • Australian Emergency Management Institute

         http://www.em.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

  • International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC)

http://www.imo.org/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-on-Oil-Pollution-Preparedness,-Response-and-Co-operation-(OPRC).aspx