Published directions and notices
As part of its regulatory functions under the OPGGS Act and to increase transparency, NOPSEMA publishes directions, prohibition notices and improvement notices. These regulatory enforcement actions are published within 7 days and no later than 21 days of issuance and the provisions for publication do not apply to any other types of notices, letters or enforcement actions issued by NOPSEMA or NOPSEMA inspectors.
Published directions, improvement and prohibition notices will not be removed when they cease to have effect, however, in the event a direction/notice is the subject of external review it will be removed. Where a direction is revoked, the direction is cancelled from the date specified in the revocation notice. NOPSEMA will ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable all personal information as defined in the Privacy Act 1988 is redacted from these documents prior to publication. When a direction or notice is marked closed, it means that the duty holder has notified NOPSEMA that the direction or notice has been complied with.
Under Part 6.2 of the OPGGS Act, NOPSEMA and the responsible Commonwealth Minister have powers to issue directions to petroleum or greenhouse gas titleholders. NOPSEMA can issue three types of directions: general directions, significant incident directions and remedial directions. The directions powers are used by NOPSEMA for enforcing compliance with the OPGGS Act and associated regulations. Failure to comply with directions is an offence.
A prohibition notice may be issued if a NOPSEMA inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds that there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person or an immediate and significant threat to the environment. A prohibition notice stops the duty holder from continuing their activity and will only cease to have effect when a NOPSEMA inspector is satisfied adequate action has been taken to remove the threat specified in the notice. Failure to comply with a prohibition notice is an offence.
An improvement notice may be issued if a NOPSEMA inspector believes the duty holder or titleholder is contravening or has contravened a provision of offshore petroleum Commonwealth OHS or environmental law and as a result there is, or could be, a risk to the health and safety of any person or a significant threat to the environment. The notice will cease to have effect when the responsible duty holder or titleholder takes the action specified in the notice. Failure to comply with an improvement notice is an offence.
Sort published directions and notices
| Type Of Notice | Date issued | Organisation | Facility / activity | Notice | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that Blowout Preventer (BOP) assurance processes comply with API Standard 53, as described in the accepted safety case, to ensure the equipment is safe and without risk to health.
|
15/05/2025 | Ensco Australia Pty Ltd | VALARIS DPS-1 | OHS Improvement Notice 2005 - Valaris DPS-1.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that Blowout Preventer (BOP) assurance processes comply with API Standard 53, as described in the accepted safety case, to ensure the equipment is safe and without risk to health.
|
15/05/2025 | Ensco Australia Pty Ltd | VALARIS MS-1 | OHS Improvement Notice 2004 - Valaris MS-1.pdf | Open |
| OHS Prohibition Notice Drilling into potentially pressured zones with well control equipment that is non-compliant to the standard specified in the facility safety case (API STD 53).
|
05/05/2025 | Ensco Australia Pty Ltd | VALARIS MS-1 | Prohibition Notice VMS-1 ID 2003_0.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Esso Bream B, installation and changes to instrument tubing without the requirement of MOC.
|
17/04/2025 | Esso Australia Pty Ltd | Bream B | OHS Improvement Notice -1982.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to take all reasonably practicable steps to maintain functional permit to work system.
|
17/04/2025 | Eni Australia B.V. | Blacktip Wellhead Platform | Notice - OHS Improvement Notice - Notice No. 1999.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to secure a portable generator in accordance with the Facility Cargo Securing Manual and the International Maritime Organisation Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing.
|
20/03/2025 | McDermott Australia Pty Ltd | DLV2000 | OHS Improvement Notice 1989.pdf | Complied with |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the Explosion Protected (Ex) electrical equipment installed at the West Tuna facility is safe and without risk to the health and safety of persons.
|
25/02/2025 | Esso Australia Pty Ltd | West Tuna | OHS Improvement Notice 1969 - West Tuna.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to control hazardous gases (hydrogen sulphide and benzene) at the facility.
|
04/02/2025 | Shell Australia Pty Ltd | Prelude FLNG | OHS Improvement Notice 1967.pdf | Open |
| OHS Improvement Notice Failure to control noise level limits in the accommodation on the facility
|
09/01/2025 | Subsea 7 Australia Contracting Pty Ltd | Seven Pegasus | OHS Improvement Notice - 1963.pdf | Open |
| Environmental Improvement Notice Unplanned release of hazardous substance to the marine environment
|
19/09/2024 | Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd | Bass Strait Operations, Marlin B facility | Environmental Improvement Notice 1952.pdf | Complied with |