Petroleum Regulations 2021
29Consent to suspend or decommission a well
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29 Consent to suspend or decommission a well
(1) 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.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) 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.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(3) An application for consent to suspend or decommission a well must include—
(a) the name and number of the well; and
(b) the reasons for the proposed suspension or decommissioning; and
(c) 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.
(4) The plan under subregulation (3)(c) must set out—
(a) the authority holder's proposed measures for care and maintenance of the well, if proposed to be suspended; and
(b) the equipment to be used; and
(c) the timeframe for the suspension or decommissioning; and
(d) 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
(e) the controls that will be in place to manage any potential well integrity hazards; and
(f) 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
(g) details of the suitably qualified or experienced person who will be responsible for designing the suspension or decommissioning of the well; and
(h) details of the suitably qualified or experienced person who will be responsible for supervising the suspension or decommissioning of the well; and
(i) 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.
Division 2—Environment management plan