New petroleum environmental planning guidance

WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety

A revised Guideline for the Development of Petroleum, Geothermal and Pipeline Environment Plans in Western Australia (the Guideline), has been published following stakeholder consultation. It was revised to ensure that titleholders/proponents have appropriate guidance available for submitting environment plans.

The revised guideline now also addresses planning for petroleum site decommissioning, rehabilitation and closure requirements.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) invited comment from stakeholders on the draft Guideline, which amalgamates existing guidance on environmental performance objectives, standards and measurement criteria, stakeholder engagement and decommissioning, rehabilitation and closure of petroleum activities.

DMIRS Resource and Environmental Compliance Division’s Executive Director Karen Caple, said the Guideline is designed to support operators in preparing an Environment Plan for petroleum activities.

“The revised Guideline will assist petroleum, geothermal and pipeline operators to develop an Environment Plan (EP) that comprehensively meets the requirements of the Regulations.

“DMIRS is committed to working with operators towards better planning and preparation for site decommissioning, rehabilitation and closure, and identifying appropriate post-activity land use, closure objectives and rehabilitation criteria.

“The Guideline will provide transparency on DMIRS’ environmental management expectations for the petroleum, geothermal and pipeline industry and provide guidance on the level of detail required to be included in an EP.

“DMIRS thanks all stakeholders for their considered feedback, and we hope this will go a long way towards providing the clarity in these areas.”

The revised Guideline and Response to Submissions are available on the department’s website.

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