News

Second Triennial Review Report Released

The second triennial review of NOPSA's operational effectiveness was completed in November 2011. The Independent Review Panel presented the report to the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon. Martin Ferguson, on 29 November and the full text of the report is available here. For faster access, you may also download the main body of the report and the submissions separately.

NOPSEMA's New Environment Responsibilities

On 7 December 2011 the Federal Executive Council approved amendments to legislation governing environmental management arrangements for offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities in Commonwealth waters. These amendments, which will come into effect on 1 January 2012, are summarised in the document Information Paper on Changes to Environmental Management Arrangements for Offshore Petroleum activities in Commonwealth Waters.

The approval of these amendments will mean that NOPSA's role will expand to include not only the regulation of occupational health and safety, wells and well operations, but also the structural integrity of facilities and environmental management within Commonwealth waters. From 1 January 2012, the amalgamation of these functions into a new agency, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) is expected to reduce regulatory burden on industry and standardise Australia's offshore petroleum regulation to a best practice model.

In mid-October, NOPSA hosted consecutive workshops in Perth and Melbourne to consult with industry on the new arrangements for regulation of Environment Plans, regulatory requirements, levy structures and expectations from government, the regulator and from industry.

You can view the presentations as one slide pack from the presentations area.

At the 2011 APPEA National Environment Conference, NOPSA provided further information relating to the transition from NOPSA to NOPSEMA and released an information booklet on the issue.

For more information on the legislation see the National Regulator Bill.

NOPSEMA will be conducting more information sessions about the new regulatory arrangements over the coming year, so please check our website regularly for more information.