Wild Migration comment about the new NOPSEMA Environment Regulations

1st March 2014

On 28 February 2014, amendments to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 (NOPSEMA Environment Regs) came into effect.

From this day forward, NOPSEMA’s environmental management authorization process has been endorsed by the Federal Minister for the Environment as meeting the requirements of the EPBC Act. Offshore petroleum projects now only need NOSPEMA approval to proceed.

This is through a new two stage process of Offshore Project proposals (OPPs) and Environmental Plans (EPs) for all development activities and through Environmental Plans (EPs) for all exploration activities.
The previous NOPSEMA Environment Regs will still apply to all EPs that were submitted prior to the 28 February 2014.

This process of ‘streamlining’ offshore petroleum regulation began some 18 months ago, with the objective of increasing efficiency and reducing duplication of environmental assessment processes for all petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters – a one stop shop.

Wild Migration has remained closely involved with the process as it has unfolded, submitting comments throughout the consultation process. A major part of our comments have been the submission of Seismic Seas which clearly articulates the necessary detail for Environmental Impact Assessment on proposed seismic surveys and makes a strong call for transparency and appropriate consultation.

Wild Migration has now worked through the 400+ pages of new law, information and explanatory documents that all went live late on Friday. We are cautiously pleased with some aspects of the new NOPSEMA Environment Regs. There is also room from improvement, especially in the area of transparency and consultation.

We will remain cautious with our praise about the NOPSEMA Environment Regs until the Bight Petroleum EP decision has been made.