DMIRS develops notification of operator form

A new form has been developed by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) for petroleum titleholders to provide notice about changes to the operator of a petroleum or geothermal activity. This notification is a requirement for petroleum and geothermal activities occurring under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Environment) Regulations 2012, the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Environment) Regulations 2012 and the Petroleum Pipelines (Environment) Regulations 2012.

The form provides clear guidance on how to provide adequate notification to the department to meet regulatory requirements that should help streamline the administrative process.

DMIRS Acting Executive Director, Environment, Karen Caple said the new form will be trialed for six months and used in conjunction with Environment Plans submitted through EARS online.

“Titleholders would previously write a letter to the department to provide notification of the operator. Often the level of information provided would be insufficient. In these instances, departmental staff spent time requesting additional information from titleholders to satisfy the regulatory requirements. In contrast, the new form clearly outlines all the relevant details required by DMIRS and should help expedite the administrative process,” she said.

For further information about the new form, please email petroleum.environment@dmirs.wa.gov.au.