Offshore petroleum regulatory reform: the WA experience—first 12 months in review
Graeme WatersNational Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator.
The APPEA Journal 53(2) 435-435 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ12046
Published: 2013
Abstract
On 1 January 2012, a new regulatory framework for the offshore oil and gas industry in Australian Commonwealth waters started. The changes were profound and brought about a single national regulator for safety, environmental management, and well integrity. It also meant that the seven former designated authorities were abolished in favour of a single National Titles Administrator.
In the lead up to the reforms, ministers Martin Ferguson and Frederick Moore agreed that officials from their respective departments would implement cooperative working arrangements for the WA adjacent offshore area, to facilitate and ensure a smooth transition for the industry and help achieve the recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s review.
The author of this extended abstract reflect on and share the experiences of the past 12 months. An update of the author’s respective agencies’ progress beyond the transition phase is also discussed. This extended abstract also outlines projects of interest and how they will benefit the industry and continue to develop the foundations of the cooperative working arrangements between NOPTA and WA-DMP.
During the changes and transition program, industry and regulators have strived to engage in the new regime, and the results have been positive. Now is the opportunity for us to come together, ask questions, share information, and examine what has worked and what is yet to come.
Several aspects of the arrangements are now evident: the establishment of the National Core Store and Data Repository, the establishment of the National Electronic Approvals and Tracking System (NEATS), and the day-to-day interactions between NOPTA and WA-DMP.
The WA-DMP speaker reviews Joint Authority operations for the WA adjacent area since the establishment of NOPTA and NOPSEMA. Bill Tinapple also reviews regulatory framework developments for WA; in particular, changes to provide for shale and tight gas and oil activity, as well as, public engagement to increase confidence in regulatory processes.
Coordination of regulatory processes across jurisdictional boundaries are reviewed, including case studies for Gorgon, Wheatstone, and Macedon.
Graeme is the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) for the Commonwealth of Australia. NOPTA was established on 1 January 2012 as part of the regulatory reform program for the offshore oil and gas industry. NOPTA operates from two offices: Perth, WA, and Melbourne, Victoria. Prior to his appointment, he worked with Ernst and Young for 10 years and specialised in risk and organisational change management. During the 1990s, he was a public servant employed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), where as manager of the fraud prevention and control section, he developed fraud control frameworks for the ATO and a number of multimedia awareness programs for fraud and ethics. He served as a sworn officer in the Victoria Police from 1975 to 86. He was a designated detective and worked in the fraud squad between 1980 and 1984. |
