New guideline to support environmental performance reporting
NOPSEMA has published a new guideline to support offshore titleholders in preparing Environment Performance Reports (EPRs) under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations.
EPRs are required to be submitted annually for activities conducted under an accepted environment plan. They provide assurance to the NOPSEMA that environmental performance outcomes and standards have been met, and that environmental risks and impacts continue to be managed appropriately.
The Preparing an Environment Performance Report guideline has been developed in response to increasing variation in the form, content and level of detail provided in EPR submissions. It sets out NOPSEMA’s expectations for the structure and content of EPRs and is intended to promote greater consistency, clarity and transparency in environmental performance reporting across the offshore industry.
The guideline outlines the key information that should be addressed in an EPR, including:
- activities undertaken during the reporting period
- performance against environmental performance outcomes and standards
- implementation of control measures and management strategies
- emissions and discharges
- environmental monitoring and verification
- incidents, non-compliances and corrective actions
- management of change.
To assist titleholders, the guideline includes practical examples and tables illustrating how information can be clearly presented to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
The guideline does not introduce new regulatory obligations. Rather, it clarifies how existing requirements under the Environment Regulations are expected to be addressed in an EPR, supporting more efficient regulatory assessment and improved oversight of environmental performance.
Feedback from industry was sought during development of the guideline and has been considered in finalising the document.
The full guideline is now available here. It should be used by titleholders when preparing future Environment Performance Reports.