A regulator’s vision and perspectives on key environmental management challenges
Cameron SimNational Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, GPO Box 2568 Perth, WA 6001, Australia. Email: cameron.sim@nopsema.gov.au
The APPEA Journal 59(2) 715-718 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ18266
Accepted: 19 March 2019 Published: 27 June 2019
Abstract
With greater transparency of the environmental approvals process for offshore oil and gas activities, the industry needs to be prepared for increased scrutiny from its stakeholders. Ninety six percent of environment plans (EPs) submitted to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) between 1 March 2014 and 31 December 2018 required some rework before being accepted. The time taken to rework these EPs has implications for titleholders and other stakeholders, including increased resourcing, lost opportunities and consultation fatigue. Limitations in scientific information and other evidence needed to support evaluation of environmental impacts and risks are common reasons for NOPSEMA to request further information or provide opportunity to modify and resubmit the EP before acceptance. With new regulations in place to improve transparency of the approvals process, now is a good time to take steps that will reduce the need for rework of EPs prior to acceptance and therefore assessment timeframes. This paper examines some challenges involved in making an environmental management ‘case’ as part of an EP and sets out propositions for how these challenges could be addressed.
Keywords: end-user driven research, EP, environment plan, environmental approvals, environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring and management, NOPSEMA, risk analysis.
Dr Cameron Sim has a background in Marine Ecology and 20 years of experience working within the State and Commonwealth governments in various roles developing marine environmental policy and providing specialist advice in government regulatory settings. During this time, Cameron has been involved in EIAs for many of Australia’s large-scale resource development projects, environmental regulation, policy formulation and implementation, oil spill management and coordination of marine science investment to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental approval processes for marine infrastructure projects. For the last 6.5 years, Cameron has held the position of Environment Specialist in NOPSEMA’s Environment Division. In this role, he provides technical environmental management input to the NOPSEMA’s assessment, inspection and enforcement functions. He also has responsibilities for the administration of NOPSEMA’s streamlined regulatory arrangements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. |
References
ISO (2009). Risk Management: Principles and Guidelines ISO 31000:2009. International Organisation for Standardisation, Geneva.NERA and APPEA (2018) Improving the environmental approvals process: Reference Case Review Report. December 2018. National Energy Resources Australia and Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
NOPSEMA (2018). Environment Plan decision making guideline, Revision 5 - June 2018. National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, Perth.
