Victorian Current Acts

OFFSHORE PETROLEUM AND GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE ACT 2010 - SECT 213

    (1)     If a pipeline licence is in force, and the licensee—

        (a)     has not carried out any construction work under the licence at any time during a continuous period of at least 5 years; and

        (b)     has not used the pipeline or a part of the pipeline at any time during a continuous period of at least 5 years—

the Minister may, by written notice given to the licensee, tell the licensee that the Minister proposes to—

        (c)     terminate the pipeline licence; or

        (d)     terminate the pipeline licence in relation to the part of the pipeline—

as the case may be, after the end of 30 days after the notice is given.

    (2)     At any time after the end of 30 days after the notice referred to in subsection (1) is given to the licensee, the Minister may, by written notice given to the licensee—

        (a)     terminate the pipeline licence; or

        (b)     terminate the pipeline licence in relation to the part of the pipeline—

as the case may be.

Note

For remedial directions following termination, see section 636.

    (3)     In working out, for the purposes of subsection (1)—

        (a)     the period in which a pipeline licensee did not carry out any construction work under the licence; or

        (b)     the period in which a pipeline licensee did not use the pipeline or a part of the pipeline—

disregard any period in which construction work was not carried out, or the pipeline or part of the pipeline was not used, as the case may be, because of circumstances beyond the licensee's control.

    (4)     For the purposes of subsection (3), the depletion of recoverable petroleum is not a circumstance beyond the licensee's control.

    (5)     For the purposes of subsection (3), the failure to obtain a greenhouse gas substance for conveyance in the pipeline, or a part of the pipeline, is not a circumstance beyond the licensee's control.

    (6)     The Minister may give a copy of a notice under subsection (1) to such other persons (if any) as the Minister thinks fit.

    (7)     A notice under subsection (1) must—

        (a)     invite a person to whom the notice, or a copy of the notice, has been given to make a written submission to the Minister about the proposal to—

              (i)     terminate the pipeline licence; or

              (ii)     terminate the pipeline licence in relation to the part of the pipeline; and

        (b)     specify a time limit for making that submission.

    (8)     In deciding whether to—

        (a)     terminate the pipeline licence; or

        (b)     terminate the pipeline licence in relation to the part of the pipeline—

the Minister must take into account any submissions made in accordance with the notice.