STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVESminerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/... · A Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO) is required for all regulated activities

ANGASTON TO BERRI TRANSMISSION PIPELINE AND

MURRAY BRIDGE LATERAL PIPELINE

(RIVERLAND PIPELINE – PL6)

STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES

December 2003

Riverland Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Statement of Environmental Objectives

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 LEGISLATIVE OVERVIEW................................................................ 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 4

3.0 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW.............................................................. 5

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES ........................................................ 7

5.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA.................................................................. 8

6.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ........................................................... 9

7.0 ANNUAL REPORTING .................................................................. 10

8.0 APPENDICIES............................................................................ 11

Appendix 1: Environmental Management Objectives and Assessment Criteria


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1.0 LEGISLATIVE OVERVIEW A Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO) is required for all regulated activities under section 99 of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000. The essential requirements required in a statement of environmental objectives are outlined in Section 100 of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000. An SEO for regulated activities must: • State the environmental objectives to be achieved in carrying out regulated activities to which

the statement applies • State criteria to be applied to determine whether the stated environmental objectives have

been achieved in a particular case • Include conditions and requirements to be complied with in order to achieve the stated

objectives • Impose reporting obligations on a person carrying out regulated activities to which it relates. One of the environmental objectives must be the rehabilitation of land adversely affected by regulated activities. Where native vegetation will be disturbed by activity and vegetation will not re-establish naturally, a program for re-instatement of the vegetation using local and endemic understorey and overstorey species would be required where appropriate.

An SEO for regulated activities may: • Provide for and, for high impact activities, must provide for a report or periodic reports (to be

obtained by the Minister at the expense of the licensee) from an independent expert on the environmental consequences of the activities.

• Include a system for evaluating the licensee’s environmental performance. • May be generally applicable throughout the State or be limited to a specific part of the State.


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2.0 INTRODUCTION

This SEO has been prepared in accordance with Section 99 of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000 for the Angaston to Berri and Murray Bridge lateral, natural gas transmission pipelines, referred to as the Riverland Pipeline and operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of Pipeline Licence No. 6 (PL6).

The SEO encompasses construction, operational and activities in relation to the Angaston to Berri and Murray Bridge lateral, natural gas transmission pipelines and associated infrastructure, within the State of South Australia. Decommissioning activities will be addressed when required in a separate report in accordance with the regulatory requirements at that time (or something to that effect).

The prime objectives of the SEO are to outline the environmental management objectives, but not limited to: • Minimising environmental damage arising from operational activities associated with the

construction or operation of pipeline infrastructure for the purpose of transporting petroleum hydrocarbon gases.

• Risk management of regulated activities, to minimise inherent risks and to reinforce public

safety. • Liasing with all relevant landowners and key stakeholders as specified in this document.


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3.0 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW Epic Energy operates and maintains the Riverland Pipeline (PL6) on behalf of Origin Energy Asset Management (OEAM) and pipeline owner, Envestra Limited. The 231km buried steel pipeline was designed, constructed and commissioned during 1994, in accordance with the requirements of Australian Standard AS 2885, “Pipeline – Gas & Liquid Petroleum” and the provisions of the Petroleum Act (SA) 1940. The pipeline is predominately located within registered easements along its length, which are approximately 15m in width. The pipeline passes through Crown Land, private property and road verge, en-route to Berri and Murray Bridge respectively. Pipeline features include a Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) of 10,000 kPa, a nominal outside diameter of 114.3mm (4 inches), a nominal wall thickness of 3.0mm and a nominal depth of cover of 600 – 900mm. Increased wall thickness (4.8mm) and depth of cover (1500mm) have been applied to areas identified as ‘high risk’; these areas typically include road and other ‘special’ crossings along the pipeline route. The pipeline features off-take, compression and metering facilities and ten main line valves installed throughout the length of the pipeline. The pipeline is operated and maintained in accordance with AS2885.3-2002 Pipelines – Gas and Liquid Petroleum, Part 3 – Operations and Maintenance.


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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES

This SEO should be read in conjunction with the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Riverland pipeline (PL6). Development of the EIR included extensive public consultation to address specific local issues and to foster a “spirit” of community involvement amongst landholders/occupiers, community groups and Government Authorities. Ongoing operational environmental management of the Riverland pipeline (PL6) embodies industry best environmental practice to ensure long term environmental sustainability. Environmental aspects, impacts and consequential management objectives essential to long-term sustainable environmental management have been derived and qualitatively assessed in order to comply with the intent of defined objectives. Compliance with the intent of the objectives shall ensure operational environmental compliance. The environmental objectives, goals and compliance criteria for the operation and maintenance of the Riverland pipeline (PL6) are detailed in Appendix 1.


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5.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

To ensure that the environmental objectives are achieved and maintained, assessment criteria have been developed to ensure long-term compliance. The auditing evaluation criteria assigned to each objective may include one or more of the following: • UDefined ConditionU – Specific environmental objectives for construction and operational

activities, which can only be evaluated through active prevention of non-complying impacts (eg – no soil erosion shall occur)

• UDefined RequirementU – attainment of environmental objectives against prescribed procedures

or actions defined for an operational activity (eg the APIA Code of Environmental Practice) • UEnvironmental AuditingU – defined environmental objectives shall be evaluated against specific

goals to determine their compliance. Non-complying activities shall be managed in proportion to their risk.

Environmental objectives shall be audited annually to assess the level of compliance in relation to stated objectives. Appropriate action to reinstate compliance with the stated objectives will be initiated, based on an assessment of inherent environmental risk. Resources shall be optimised in order to target high priority non-compliances.


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6.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with the requirements of Section 100 (1)(d) of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000, an SEO shall impose reporting obligations on an individual carrying out regulated activities. Regulation 12(2) requires an SEO to identify events, which may arise from regulated activities, which could contribute towards the development of a serious incident or a reportable incident within the context of Section 85 of the Act. Section 85 of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000 and Section 32 of the Petroleum Regulations (SA) 2000, respectively, prescribe that incidents deemed to be “serious” or “reportable”, shall be reported to the Minister for Primary Industries and Resources as soon as practicable after the occurrence. • Serious Incidents – must be reported to the Minister for Primary Industries and Resources as

soon as practicable after the occurrence, as per Section 85 of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000 and Section 32 of the Petroleum Regulations (SA) 2000. Pursuant to Regulation 12(2) the events detailed below constitute serious incidents, which may arise from operational activities:

- A person is seriously injured or killed; - An imminent risk to public health or safety arises; - Pipeline rupture or failure - Unauthorised activity on the pipeline easement where the pipeline is physical contacted; - Interruptions to gas supply and/or security, likely to impinge upon contractual obligations

for a period greater than 12 hours; - Security of natural gas is prejudiced or an imminent risk of prejudice to security of natural

gas supply arises. • Reportable Incidents – must be reported to the Minister for Primary Industries and Resources on

a quarterly basis within one month of the end of the quarter, as per Section 32 of the Petroleum Regulations (SA) 2000. Incidents, which constitute a reportable incident, shall include:

- Unintentional release of liquid and gaseous petroleum hydrocarbons, substances or

chemicals, that affect an area which is not intended to contain such a release; - An event resulting in non-compliance with the objectives of the SEO; - Unauthorised activities along the pipeline easement, where pipeline infrastructure is not

contacted; - Excessive infrastructure corrosion exceeding design limitations;


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7.0 ANNUAL REPORTING

An annual report will be submitted to the Minister as required by Regulation 33, detailing the nature of regulated activities for the previous licence year. The written report will detail technical and performance issues in relation to regulated activities controlled under the licence. Performance against the stated environmental objectives detailed within the SEO, including any non-conformances will also be reported in the annual report. Compliance with the SEO shall be supported by audit results and action progress reports.


8.0 APPENDIX 1 Environmental Management Objectives and Assessment Criteria Note: Assessment criteria have been developed to be “black and white”. Judgement is required to access whether non-compliance is minor or major. It is necessary to ensure that adequate information is available to enable this judgement to be made.

OBJECTIVE GOALS Guide to how objectives can be measured and achieved

COMPLIANCE CRITERIA

1. To promote and maintain vegetation in accordance with surroundings.

To encourage regrowth of native grasses and shrubs along the right-of-way, (i.e. – not in farmland used for cropping or pasture). To ensure environmental weeds and pathogens along the right-of-way are managed in a manner consistent with adjoining land. To manage vegetation regrowth along the right-of-way, so as not to restrict access (our access not third party access) or to incur damage to the pipeline infrastructure. To monitor and manage Branched Broomrape (Orobanche ramose) within defined containment area along Murray Bridge lateral pipeline. To ensure that pipeline operations do not impinge upon existing native fauna habitats.

Annual environmental survey to monitor native vegetation regrowth on easement (apart from access tracks). Regular patrols and annual environmental survey undertaken to look for evidence of weeds and pathogens (especially phytophthora species). All vehicles and equipment to be clean of soil and organic material where practical before undertaking work on the pipeline (Phytophthora Management Guidelines to be followed). Regular patrols and annual environmental survey undertaken to observe vegetation regrowth Easement revegetation to be confirmed via photographic records. Regular patrols and annual environmental survey undertaken to monitor branched broomrape. Landowner consultation program Annual environmental survey to look for evidence of disturbance to vegetation on easement (apart from access tracks).

Native vegetation regrowth (grasses, shrubs & trees) along easement is typical of adjoining areas. The presence of weeds and pathogens on the easement was consistent with or better than adjacent land. No new outbreak or spread of weeds reported. Vegetation trimmed rather than cleared where possible. No identified spread along pipeline easement as a result of operations & maintenance activities. No reasonable landholder complaints or non-compliances with Code of Control for Broomrape in the course of pipeline operations. Native fauna habitats along easement are typical of adjoining areas (especially vegetation communities of the Lomandra grasslands and Eucalyptus cyanophylla mallee areas)

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COMPLIANCE CRITERIA

2. To conserve the original state of the soil.

To minimise the likelihood of erosion or subsidence occurring along the right-of-way. To manage soil rehabilitation areas in an appropriate manner.

Routine patrolling, Specified environmental auditing including monitoring of known susceptible areas, Landowner consultation (to assist in identification and management of issues) Compliance with OEAM rehabilitation and excavation procedures. Annual environmental surveys Routine pipeline patrolling

Soil level and/or subsidence are consistent with the surrounding area. Rehabilitation areas support regrowth consistent with the surrounding area.

3. To promote and maintain water drainage patterns where it is not detrimental to the pipeline.

To ensure that operation and maintenance activities do not give rise to pollution of watercourses To ensure that there is no evidence of altered drainage patterns, unless required to protect the pipeline from wash away

Operations & Maintenance Procedures followed when undertaking routine maintenance activities. Check watercourses during annual surveys. Regular patrols and annual environmental survey undertaken to look for changes to drainage patterns caused by erosion, subsidence or operational activities.

OEAM activities have not resulted in pollution to natural watercourses. No evidence of altered drainage patterns unless reasonably required by pipeline operations

4. To minimise uncontrolled atmospheric emissions.

To limit uncontrolled emissions to atmosphere. To minimise dust generation.

Incidents reports and permit to work system. Compliance with operational procedures Landowner consultation program

No unintentional or uncontrolled gas emissions undertaken. Any disturbance to land use or damage to infrastructure due to pipeline operational activities is reasonably resolved with the landowner.

5. To avoid significant disturbance to land use or damage to infrastructure.

To minimise disturbance to land use and damage to infrastructure. To inform landholders of likely land use disturbance as a direct result of operations.

Records show that landholders are appropriately consulted regarding pipeline activities, which may affect their particular property. Landowner consultation program Accurate property and landholder records maintained in conjunction with landholder/occupier consultation. Landowner consultation program

Any disturbance to land use or damage to infrastructure due to pipeline operational activities is reasonably resolved with the landowner.

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COMPLIANCE CRITERIA

6. To minimise risks to public and third party health and safety.

No occupational health, safety and welfare incident or accidents involving public and other third parties occur during pipeline operations. To prevent third party access on the pipeline easement. To adequately protect the public during routine maintenance operations. To avoid fires during routine operations.

Documented evidence of public safety management and pipeline awareness sessions, in the course of pipeline operations. Annual operational audit ensures mitigation measures are adequate and up to date. Adherence to AS2885 demonstrated via annual reports, emergency response reports and fitness for purpose reports (refer to Petroleum Act 2000). Landowner consultations, annual contact process Signage on pipeline Routine patrols Permit to Work System & Pre-Start checklists Utilise procedures to minimise chance of fire during routine maintenance.

No incidents as a result of failure of Origins procedures and practices. No unauthorised activity on the pipeline easement, notification to relevant authority if occurs and undertake incident investigation to try and prevent occurring again. No fire outbreaks arising from pipeline operations.

7. To minimise noise due to operations.

To ensure that operations comply with noise standards and where possible ensure landowners are not disturbed.

Incident reports Measure noise emissions only if complaints are received.

No unreasonable/unresolved noise related complaints from landholders or third parties once initial complaint received.

8. To manage all operational wastes in an appropriate manner.

To ensure that all wastes are removed from the site and, reused, recycled or appropriately disposed.

Procedures for waste disposals (Filters, compressor by products etc.) Records of waste disposal if required MSDS information on handling Ensure that maintenance tasks undertaken that do generate waste products are handled in accordance with procedures by auditing.

Wastes are managed appropriately

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COMPLIANCE CRITERIA

9. To appropriately manage cultural heritage sites during pipeline operations and maintenance activities.

To manage Aboriginal and European heritage sites in accordance with prescribed procedures so they are not disturbed.

Management of identified heritage sites in consultation with traditional owners. Compliance with procedures in relation to heritage site management Records kept for heritage listed sites Site examined for cultural heritage material prior to working in area of archaeological potential or in an area known to be of significance.

No impacts to known heritage sites. Any new sites recorded and reported as required. No reasonable complaints regarding impacts to heritage sites/items.

10. To minimize the risk of loss of supply to consumers.

To minimise the potential for significant disruption of gas supply to customers where possible.

Ensure adequate controls in place through maintenance practices etc. Operational audit for AS2885 compliance Preventative Maintenance activities are carried out

No interruption to supply as a result of activities within OEAM’s control. Note: Do not have control of supply of gas from source.

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Documents

STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVESminerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/... · A Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO) is required for all regulated activities