Discharge, injection or re‑injection of produced formation water resulting from petroleum activity
33 Discharge, injection or re‑injection of produced formation water resulting from petroleum activity
The operator of a petroleum activity must ensure that the concentration of petroleum in any produced formation water does not exceed the following concentration (the specified concentration) —
for produced formation water discharged into the sea as a result of the petroleum activity — an average of 30 mg/L over any period of 24 hours;
for produced formation water injected or re‑injected into wells as a result of the petroleum activity — the maximum permissible concentration specified in the environment plan for the petroleum activity in accordance with regulation 15(8).
Penalty: a fine of $5 500.
Nothing in subregulation (1)(a) affects an environmental performance standard, in an environment plan for the petroleum activity, for a concentration of petroleum in produced formation water discharged into the sea that is less than the specified concentration.
Subregulation (1) does not apply to an operator if —
the Minister has given the operator written consent in accordance with subregulation (4) to discharge, inject or re‑inject produced formation water at a concentration (the authorised concentration) that exceeds the specified concentration; and
the operator ensures that the authorised concentration is not exceeded.
Consent under subregulation (3)(a) may be given by the Minister only if —
the discharge rate, injection rate or re‑injection rate of produced formation water to be authorised by the consent does not exceed 0.5 megalitres per period of 24 hours; or
the consent applies to a period not greater than 48 hours; or
the Minister is satisfied that the purpose of the discharge, injection or re‑injection at the authorised concentration is for operational research that has the potential to improve environmental performance.
The Minister must not give consent under subregulation (3)(a) unless the operator demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Minister, that the proposed discharge, injection or re‑injection will not result in —
the occurrence of any significant new environmental impact or environmental risk; or
a significant increase in any existing environmental impact or environmental risk.
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