National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority

National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) is the Australian government agency responsible for the regulation of health and safety, well integrity, and environmental management for offshore petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters. NOPSEMA operates under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and associated regulations.

History

NOPSEMA was established on 1 January 2012, succeeding the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA), which was formed in 2005. The creation of NOPSEMA was part of a broader reform to improve the regulatory framework for offshore petroleum activities in Australia.

Functions

NOPSEMA's primary functions include:

• Regulating the health and safety of offshore petroleum workers.
• Ensuring the integrity of offshore petroleum wells.
• Overseeing environmental management practices to minimize the impact of offshore petroleum activities on the environment.

Regulatory Framework

NOPSEMA operates under a suite of legislation, including:

• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2009
• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009
• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011

Governance

NOPSEMA is governed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is appointed by the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia. The CEO is supported by a team of inspectors and other regulatory staff.

Key Activities

• Conducting inspections and audits of offshore petroleum facilities.
• Investigating incidents and enforcing compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assessing and approving environment plans and well operations management plans.
• Providing guidance and advice to industry stakeholders.

Significant Incidents

One of the notable incidents that NOPSEMA has been involved in is the Montara oil spill in 2009, which highlighted the need for stringent regulatory oversight of offshore petroleum activities.

External Relations

NOPSEMA collaborates with other government agencies, industry bodies, and international organizations to promote best practices in offshore petroleum safety and environmental management.

See Also

• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
• Montara oil spill
• Petroleum industry in Australia
• Environmental impact of the petroleum industry