Effective 28 February 2014, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) was endorsed as the primary regulator for petroleum activities in Australia Commonwealth waters. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 (Environment Regulations) were amended. The new amendments and designation of NOPSEMA as primary regulator is intended by the Australian Government to increase efficiency and reduce duplication of environmental assessment processes for offshore petroleum activities. In effect, the environmental authorization process eliminates the need for a specific approval by the Department of Environment. IAGC submitted formal comments in December 2013, met with NOPSEMA and Department of Environment officials in late February and participated in the agency’s briefings held in Sydney and Perth during March. Updated policies, guidance notes and information papers are published at www.nopsema.gov.au/legislation-and-regulations/environment.
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