New WA petroleum exploration guideline

Changes to assessment for awarding of exploration permits

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has introduced changes to the guideline for the assessment of petroleum exploration permits.

The changes include drilling reservations and transfers to become a registered holder of a petroleum title in Western Australia.

The new guidelines will be applicable to the acreage release proposed for May 2017 and will be published with the future acreage release documentation.

The new Western Australian Petroleum Guideline – Criteria for Assessment replaces the Western Australia Petroleum Guideline for Acreage Release Criteria for Assessment.

DMP Director of Petroleum Operations Denis Wills said the latest revision also includes guidance on:

• the assessment for the award of petroleum exploration permit sought under section 31 and drilling reservations under section 43B of the PGERA67 by way of exercising an acreage option granted with a special prospecting authority;
• transfer applications to become a registered holder of a petroleum title in Western Australia, under section 72 of the PGERA67 and section 78 of the PSLA82; and
• the methodology the Minister will employ for determining the most deserving applicant.

“The new guideline revision is not the result of legislative amendments or changes to policy interpretation, but to give greater clarity to petroleum applicants and provide transparency of process to ensure consistent outcomes,” Mr Wills said.

The guidelines outline the assessment criteria and process to help companies prepare a competitive, bid which meet the minimum requirements and ranking process used by the department.

The new guidelines are available online.