Victorian Numbered Regulations

PETROLEUM REGULATIONS 2021 (SR NO 139 OF 2021) - REG 45

    (1)     For the purposes of this regulation, a "reportable incident" means an incident arising directly out of a petroleum operation that is reasonably likely to cause significant harm or damage to individuals, the environment, the integrity of the petroleum operation or the immediate area (whether above or below ground).

    (2)     The holder of an authority under which a petroleum operation is carried out must notify the Minister of a reportable incident within 2 hours—

        (a)     after the reportable incident occurs; or

        (b)     if the holder of the authority is not initially aware of the reportable incident, after the holder becomes aware that it occurred.

Penalty:     20 penalty units.

    (3)     A notification under subregulation (2) must—

        (a)     be given orally; and

        (b)     contain any information that is available at the time of the notification regarding—

              (i)     the material facts and circumstances of the reportable incident that the holder of the authority knows or is able, by reasonable search or enquiry, to find out; and

              (ii)     any action taken by the holder of the authority to avoid or mitigate any impacts to individuals, public safety, public amenity or the environment of the reportable incident; and

              (iii)     any immediate corrective action taken, or proposed to be taken, by the holder of the authority to stop, control or remedy the reportable incident.

    (4)     Within 3 days after the holder of an authority has notified the Minister of a reportable incident under subregulation (2), the holder must give a written report to the Minister containing the information specified in subregulation (3)(b).

Penalty:     20 penalty units.

    (5)     Within 30 days after the holder of an authority has notified the Minister of a reportable incident under subregulation (2), the holder must give the Minister a written report that contains—

        (a)     the date, time and place of the reportable incident; and

        (b)     a description of the reportable incident; and

        (c)     any known or suspected causes of the reportable incident; and

        (d)     a root cause analysis of the reportable incident; and

        (e)     a description of the steps taken by the holder to minimise the impacts of the reportable incident; and

        (f)     a description of the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the holder to prevent a recurrence of the reportable incident.

Penalty:     20 penalty units.

Division 4—Reports about drilling wells