{"id":"petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987","name":"PETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) REGULATIONS 1987","slug":"petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177102,"registerId":"nt-petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"PETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) REGULATIONS 1987","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nPETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) REGULATIONS 1987\nAs in force at 1 July 2013\nTable of provisions\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Form of instrument of transfer ......................................................... 1\n3 Prescribed fees................................................................................ 1\n4 Instrument under section 81(4)(b) of Act ......................................... 1\n5 Fees ................................................................................................ 3\n6 Amount of security ........................................................................... 3\n7 Fees ................................................................................................ 3\n8 Exploration permit fees .................................................................... 4\n9 Retention lease fees ........................................................................ 4\n10 Production licence fees ................................................................... 4\n11 Pipeline licence fees ........................................................................ 5\n12 Fee increase to cover GST .............................................................. 5\nSchedule 1\nSchedule 2 Prescribed fees\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 1 July 2013\n____________________\nPETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) REGULATIONS 1987\nRegulations under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Petroleum (Submerged\nLands) Regulations 1987.\n2 Form of instrument of transfer\nFor the purposes of section 78(3) of the Act, an instrument of\ntransfer shall be in the form specified in the Schedule.\n3 Prescribed fees\nFor the purposes of each section of the Act specified in Column 1 of\nSchedule 2, the fee specified opposite in Column 2 is prescribed.\n4 Instrument under section 81(4)(b) of Act\n(1) For the purposes of section 81(4)(b) of the Act, the following\nparticulars are prescribed:\n(a) the description and date of execution of the instrument\nevidencing the dealing referred to in section 81(4)(a) of the\nAct;\n(b) details of the title (including the type and number of the title) to\nwhich the dealing relates;\n(c) the full name and business address of each party to the\ndealing;\n(d) details of the effect or effects, upon registration, of the dealing\nspecified in terms of the relevant paragraph or paragraphs of\nsection 81(1) of the Act;\n(e) details of the interest or interests in the title of all parties to the\ndealing:\n(i) before the registration of the dealing; and\n\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 2\n(ii) in the event of approval of the dealing, after the\nregistration of the dealing;\n(f) in the case of a dealing to which section 92(5)(a) of the Act\napplies – the value of the consideration;\n(g) in the case of a dealing relating to an interest in a licence or\npipeline licence to which section 92(5)(b) of the Act applies –\nthe value of the interest;\n(h) whether or not the parties to the dealing have made or\npropose to make an application for the purposes of\nsection 92(7) of the Act;\n(j) in respect of any related dealing in relation to which an entry\nhas been made in the Register or an application in writing for\napproval by the Minister has been lodged (whether before or\nafter the commencement of the Petroleum (Submerged\nLands) Amendment Act 1989):\n(i) the description and date of execution of the instrument\nevidencing the dealing;\n(ii) the date of approval by the Minister or Designated\nAuthority (if appropriate); and\n(iii) the registration number (if any).\n(2) In subregulation (1), related dealing means a dealing executed\nbefore the execution of the instrument evidencing the dealing\nreferred to in subregulation (1)(a), by some or all of the parties to\nthat instrument:\n(a) that affects the title which is the subject of the dealing to which\nthe instrument referred to in subregulation (1)(a) relates; and\n(b) that:\n(i) creates or assigns an option to enter into the dealing\nreferred to in subregulation (1)(a);\n(ii) creates or assigns a right to enter into the dealing\nreferred to in subregulation (1)(a); or\n(iii) is altered or terminated by the dealing referred to in\nsubregulation (1)(a),\nand includes a transaction in respect of which an instrument was\nregistered under section 81 of the Act before 3 September 1986.\n\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 3\n5 Fees\n(1) For the purposes of section 86(1) of the Act, the fee payable is\n19 revenue units.\n(2) For the purposes of section 87(2) of the Act, the fee is to be\ncalculated at the rate of $5.75 per page.\n(3) For the purposes of section 87(3) of the Act, the fee payable is\n28 revenue units.\n6 Amount of security\nFor the purposes of section 114(1)(a) of the Act, the prescribed\namount of a security is:\n(a) in the case of a security referred to in Division 2 or 2A of Part\nII of the Act – $30 000;\n(b) in the case of a security referred to in Division 3 of Part II of\nthe Act – $300 000; and\n(c) in the case of a security referred to in Division 4 of Part II of\nthe Act – $120 000.\n7 Fees\n(1) For the purposes of section 118(1A)(b), (2)(b), (5)(c) and (5A)(b) of\nthe Act, the fee payable is an amount equal to the sum of the\nfollowing amounts:\n(a) where the information requested is contained in a document\nand that document is lent to the person who made the\nrequest – an amount calculated at the rate of 35 revenue units\nper day or part of a day during which the document containing\nthe information is on loan to that person;\n(b) where the information requested is contained in a document\nand that document is not readily available and a search is\nnecessary to locate the information – an amount calculated at\nthe rate of 35 revenue units per hour or part of an hour after\nthe first half-hour for the time taken to locate the information;\n(c) where any information referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) is,\non the application of the person making the request:\n(i) copied or reproduced; or\n(ii) forwarded or consigned to that person,\n\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 4\nan amount equal to all costs incurred in the copying,\nreproduction, forwarding or consignment, including the costs\nof packaging where applicable.\n(2) For the purposes of section 118(3) and (5)(d) of the Act, the fee\npayable is an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts:\n(a) where the core, cutting or sample is lent to the person who\nmade the request – an amount calculated at the rate of\n35 revenue units per day or part of a day during which the\ncore, cutting or sample is on loan to that person;\n(b) where the core, cutting or sample is not readily available and a\nsearch is necessary to locate the core, cutting or sample – an\namount calculated at the rate of 35 revenue units per hour or\npart of an hour after the first half-hour for the time taken to\nlocate the core, cutting or sample;\n(c) where the core, cutting or sample is, on the application of the\nperson making the request, forwarded or consigned to that\nperson – an amount equal to all costs incurred in the\nforwarding or consignment, including the costs of packaging\nwhere applicable.\n8 Exploration permit fees\nFor the purposes of section 138(1)(a) of the Act, the fee payable is:\n(a) $1 500; or\n(b) an amount calculated at a rate of $84 for each block to which\nthe permit relates at the commencement of the year,\nwhichever is the greater.\n9 Retention lease fees\nFor the purposes of section 138(1)(b) of the Act, the fee payable\nshall be calculated at the rate of $12 075 for each block to which\nthe lease relates at the commencement of the year.\n10 Production licence fees\nFor the purposes of section 138(1)(c) of the Act, the fee payable is\n$18 000 for each block to which the licence relates at the\ncommencement of the year.\n\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 5\n11 Pipeline licence fees\nFor the purposes of section 138(1)(d) of the Act, the fee payable is\nto be calculated at the rate of $120 per kilometre or part of a\nkilometre of the length of the pipeline as at the commencement of\nthe year.\n12 Fee increase to cover GST\n(1) If an annual fee prescribed by regulation 8, 9, 10 or 11 is payable in\nrespect of a period any of which is after 30 June 2000, the amount\nof the fee payable in respect of the period after 30 June 2000 is\nincreased by the amount of the GST component.\n(2) Despite that the fee in respect of a period after 30 June 2000 may\nhave been paid, the additional amount of the GST component may\nbe separately charged and is payable by the permittee, licensee or\nlessee (as the case may be) within one month after the date the\ncharge is made.\n(3) The GST component of a fee in respect of a period after\n30 June 2000 is to be calculated in accordance with the formula:\nGST component = (AF/10) x (GST period/366)\nwhere:\nAF is the relevant annual fee prescribed; and\nGST period is the number of days that are in the period after\n30 June 2000.\n(4) In this regulation GST has the same meaning as in the A New Tax\nSystem (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 of the Commonwealth.\n\nSchedule 1\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 6\nSchedule 1\nregulation 2\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981\nTRANSFER OF TITLE UNDER SECTION 78\nI/We(1)(2)\nbeing the registered holder/holders(1) of (3)\nin consideration of (4)\nhereby transfer all right, title and interest in that (3)\nto (5)\nIN WITNESS of this transfer the parties to the transfer have affixed\ntheir respective common seals or signatures below on this day of ,\n19 .\n(6) (7)\n______________________________________________________________\n(1) Delete whichever is inapplicable.\n(2) Here insert the name of the transferor, or where there are 2 or more transferors, the name of each\ntransferor.\n(3) Here insert the type (e.g., exploration permit, production licence) and number of the property transferred\nthat is a title within the meaning of section 78 of the Act.\n(4) Here insert the value of the consideration for the transfer or the value of the title transferred. Where the\ntransfer of the title is pursuant to a dealing which has been approved and registered under the Act, insert a\nreference that is sufficient to identify that dealing.\n(5) Here insert the name and address of the transferee or, where there are 2 or more transferees, the name\nand address of each transferee.\n(6) Here affix the common seal or signature of the transferor or of each transferor, as the case may be.\n(7) Here affix the common seal or signature of the transferee or of each transferee, as the case may be.\n\nSchedule 2 Prescribed fees\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 7\nSchedule 2 Prescribed fees\nregulation 3\nColumn 1\nSection\nColumn 2\nFee (revenue units)\nSection 21(1)(f) 4 285\nSection 24(1)(a) 4 285\nSection 30(2)(c) 1 428\nSection 38A(2)(e) 1 428\nSection 38F(2)(d) 1 428\nSection 41(1)(e) 1 428\nSection 48(1)(a) 4 714\nSection 51(2)(e) 857\nSection 54(2)(d) 1 428\nSection 64(1)(f) 4 285\nSection 71(2)(e) 857\nSection 79(2) 85\nSection 79(3)(b) 85\nSection 92(2) 857\nSection 92(3) 857\nSection 92(4) 4 285\nSection 92(6) 857\nSection 92(7) 4 285\nSection 111(2)(d) 857\n\nENDNOTES\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 8\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations (SL No. 3, 1987)\nNotified 11 February 1987\nCommenced 11 February 1987\nAmendment to the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations (SL No. 69, 1991)\nNotified 18 December 1991\nCommenced 18 December 1991 (r 1, s 2 Petroleum (Submerged Lands)\nAmendment Act 1991 (Act No. 51, 1991) and Gaz G50,\n18 December 1991, p 3)\nAmendments of Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations (SL No. 41, 1995)\nNotified 19 December 1995\nCommenced 19 December 1995 (r 1, s 2 Petroleum (Submerged Lands)\nAmendment Act 1995 (Act No. 40, 1995) and Gaz S43,\n19 December 1995)\nAmendment of Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations (SL No. 36, 2000)\nNotified 30 June 2000\nCommenced 30 June 2000\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Amendment (Fees) Regulations 2013 (SL No. 14, 2013)\nNotified 29 May 2013\nCommenced 1 July 2013 (r 2)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: r 1 and sch 1.\n\nENDNOTES\nPetroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 9\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nrr 3 – 4 ins No. 69, 1991, r 2\nrr 5 – 7 ins No. 69, 1991, r 2\namd No. 14, 2013, r 5\nr 8 ins No. 69, 1991, r 2\namd No. 41, 1995, r 2; No. 14, 2013, r 5\nr 9 ins No. 69, 1991, r 2\namd No. 41, 1995, r 3 No. 14, 2013, r 5\nr 10 ins No. 69, 1991, r 2\namd No. 41, 1995, r 4 No. 14, 2013, r 5\nr 11 ins No. 69, 1991, r 2\namd No. 41, 1995, r 5 No. 14, 2013, r 5\nr 12 ins No. 36, 2000\nsch 1 amd No. 69, 1991, r 3\nsch 2 ins No. 69, 1991, r 4\nsub No. 14, 2013, r 4","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations primarily adjust administrative and financial details (prescribe forms, set or amend fee and security amounts, add GST treatment and copying/access charges) rather than expand or narrow the classes of activity regulated by the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act. Amendments noted in the endnotes and regulation headings show changes to rates and procedural particulars (regs 3, 5–12; endnotes listing SL amendments) but do not alter the categories of permits, licences or ministerial powers established by the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple fee mechanisms: fixed fees, fees in revenue units, per-block and per-kilometre calculations (regs 3, 8–11; Schedule 2).","Different security amounts tied to Divisions of the Act, requiring cross-reference to the Act to determine applicability (reg 6).","Detailed particulars required for transfers and dealings, including related-dealings reporting and Minister/Designated Authority approval dates (reg 4(1)(a)–(j); reg 4(2)).","Administrative charging rules for document and core access with mixed time- and cost-based elements and an initial half-hour exemption for searches (reg 7(1)(a)–(c), reg 7(2)(a)–(c)).","GST adjustment formula and temporal apportionment for annual fees payable after 30 June 2000, plus separate charging and short-payment window (reg 12(1)–(3)).","Extensive cross-references to many sections of the principal Act, so users must consult the Act to determine legal effect and thresholds (throughout regs, esp. regs 2–4, 6–12, Schedule 2)."],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set the administrative rules under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act: they prescribe the form for title transfers, list and calculate fees, set minimum security amounts, and specify information required for dealings and approvals. They also provide rates and formulas for copying, access to cores/samples, per-block and per-kilometre licence fees, and how GST is added to annual fees.\n\nThey affect permittees, licensees, lessees and parties to title dealings by determining what those persons must pay, what particulars must be lodged for transfers or approvals, and how administrative access and reproduction costs are recovered."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited information provided, there is insufficient detail to determine whether the scope changed from the original 1987 intent. The existence of a reprint (REPP035R1) does suggest the regulations have been amended over time, which may reflect some evolution in scope, but no specific scope changes can be confirmed from the available metadata alone."},"complexity_factors":["Technical subject matter involving offshore petroleum extraction requires specialised industry knowledge to fully understand","Operates as subordinate legislation (regulations) beneath a parent Act, meaning readers must cross-reference the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act to understand the full legal framework","Highly limited metadata provided — key details such as the regulation number, date of making, gazette reference, and making authority are all missing, making it difficult to trace the full legislative history","Offshore jurisdiction adds complexity, as Australian waters involve layered federal and state/territory regulatory regimes","The 1987 origin with a 2013 commencement date for a reprint suggests multiple amendments over time, adding interpretive complexity","Petroleum regulation intersects with environmental, safety, and commercial law — requiring readers to navigate multiple legal domains"],"plain_english_summary":"The Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Regulations 1987 set the operational rules for exploring and extracting oil and gas from the seabed and sub-seabed in Australian waters. They govern licences, safety and technical standards, reporting, fees and administrative procedures for offshore petroleum activity.\n\nThey affect oil and gas companies, regulators and coastal/environmental interests — shaping how offshore resources are developed and ensuring compliance, safety and environmental protections."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain focused on their original purpose of setting fees, forms, and securities for offshore petroleum administration. The 2000 addition of GST provisions and periodic fee updates represent natural administrative evolution rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Short length (12 regulations plus 2 schedules)","Straightforward fee structures with simple arithmetic formulas","Limited cross-referencing (primarily to the parent Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981)","Single defined term ('related dealing' in regulation 4)","Clear prescriptive approach rather than conditional logic","GST adjustment formula in regulation 12 is the only moderately complex calculation"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the administrative details for managing petroleum exploration and production in the submerged lands (seabed) of the Northern Territory. They specify:\n\n**What it covers:**\n- **Fees** for various permits, licences, and applications related to offshore oil and gas activities\n- **Forms** for transferring ownership of exploration permits and production licences\n- **Security bonds** that companies must pay as a guarantee (ranging from $30,000 to $300,000 depending on the activity)\n- **Information access fees** for companies wanting to view geological data, cores, or samples held by the government\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Oil and gas companies operating (or wanting to operate) in Northern Territory offshore waters\n- Companies buying or selling interests in existing permits or licences\n- Anyone requesting access to petroleum exploration data held by the government\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules ensure there's a consistent, transparent system for managing Australia's offshore petroleum resources. The fees fund the regulatory oversight, while the security bonds ensure companies have 'skin in the game' and can cover costs if they abandon operations or cause environmental damage. The regulations also ensure proper documentation when companies trade valuable offshore oil and gas rights."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987","history":"/api/acts/petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987/history","analysis":"/api/acts/petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/petroleum-submerged-lands-regulations-1987/documents"}}