We are consulting on proposed amendments to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2009. These regulations will sunset (cease to be law) on 1 April 2026.
These changes will fulfil outcomes from our review of the safety regime for offshore oil and gas workers in Commonwealth waters.
Proposed amendments include:
- a mechanism for a person to engage early with the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) on the design of a new facility
- clearer provisions around safety case revisions
- strengthened requirements for operator registration
- streamlined operator transfer provisions
- provisions to support a graduated enforcement regime for the offshore petroleum sector
- enhancements to diving safety management system provisions.
Other changes will align the regulations with recent amendments to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act). These changes are a result of the review. Minor technical changes will ensure the provisions are fit-for-purpose and continue to be a leading practice regulatory framework.