How Do I Gain Environmental Approval to Carry Out Petroleum Activities?
To obtain approval to carry out petroleum activities, a proponent must submit an application form available from the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP). The application form must be accompanied by supporting environmental documentation. For exploration and production proposals, the environmental documentation currently consists of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and an Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) for offshore activities. Under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Management of Environment) Regulations 1999 (Cwlth), which took effect in October 1999, an Environmental Plan (EP) will be required in place of an EMP for proposals under Commonwealth jurisdiction. The objective of submitting environmental documentation is to ensure that petroleum activities are carried out in an ecologically sustainable manner, in accordance with appropriate risk-based environmental performance objectives and standards, as measured against appropriate performance criteria. A proponent may also r
