Petroleum Regulations 2021

The holder of an authority must ensure that a well is not suspended except with, and in accordance with, the written consent of the Minister.

The holder of an authority must ensure that a well is not decommissioned except with, and in accordance with, the written consent of the Minister.

An application for consent to suspend or decommission a well must include—

the name and number of the well; and

the reasons for the proposed suspension or decommissioning; and

a plan setting out details of the proposed suspension or decommissioning program, including the method by which the well will be made safe after it is suspended or decommissioned.

The plan under subregulation (3)(c) must set out—

the authority holder's proposed measures for care and maintenance of the well, if proposed to be suspended; and

the equipment to be used; and

the timeframe for the suspension or decommissioning; and

how 2 verified well barriers will be maintained in the well at all times or, if this cannot be achieved, the alternative measures that will be in place to maintain well integrity; and

the controls that will be in place to manage any potential well integrity hazards; and

the controls that will be in place to maintain well integrity while the well is suspended (including but not limited to the period in which suspension activity is occurring); and

details of the suitably qualified or experienced person who will be responsible for designing the suspension or decommissioning of the well; and

details of the suitably qualified or experienced person who will be responsible for supervising the suspension or decommissioning of the well; and

details of how any owner or occupier of the land on which the well is located will be notified of the proposed suspension or decommissioning of that well.