Pipeline Licensing and Approvals

In South Australia, the construction and operation of tranmission pipelines and associated facilities are regulated by the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 and Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Regulations 2000.

Any pipeline proponent is required to seek a Preliminary Survey Licence to conduct surveys to establish likely routes, and to perform initial geotechnical, ecological and heritage surveys to confirm the suitability of the pipeline alignment.

Guidelines for pipeline licensing and approvals in South Australia (.PDF) (current version March 2006) details the requirements associated with such activities, including: 

  • application requirements
  • time frames for each stage of the process
  • guidance for landowner liaison and land acquisition procedures
  • information on native title issues
  • details regarding the relationship of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act with other Acts and Agencies
  • reporting requirements
  • application and licence fee information
  • checklists used by Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) to review licence applications and reports submitted by proponents and licensees.

SEA Gas' Landowner Information Brochure: Information on how Pipeline Construction and Operation might impact upon the Landowner: Naracoorte Lateral (.PDF) 1.93MB details the potential impacts on landowners as a result of the construction and operation of the Naracoorte lateral pipeline. SEA Gas provided this booklet to landowners with the notice of entry as per Part 10 of the Petroleum Act. The Petroleum and Geothermal Group suggests that licensees consider a similar approach for new pipeline projects.