Business overviews and processes

Pulling the drill string out of the hole at Waitsia 1 in the northern Perth Basin
Pulling the drill string out of the hole at Waitsia 1 in the northern Perth Basin

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) aims to encourage and facilitate responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum resources, for the long-term benefit of all Western Australians. This includes those in the adjacent offshore area,

Petroleum titles in Western Australia are granted in accordance with the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA), Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA), Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA) and Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cwth).

Geothermal titles are granted in accordance with the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA).

The Resource and Environmental Regulation Group uses timeline targets to monitor and report on approval performance. Target timelines are set for standard key approval processes. More complex (non-standard) applications generally require more time to assess. Target timelines for key approval processes are available on the DMIRS approval performance page.

All timelines are subject to the ‘stop the clock‘ process. This mechanism is part of DMIRS' timeline management of approvals, where targets are adjusted for the time taken by other processes outside the department’s control. Processes outside include Environmental Protection Authority referrals and applicants providing additional information.

Business processes

State - Indefinite Term Pipeline Licence - 461 Kb

Application and assessment process for a Pipeline Licence

Pipeline Consent to Operate - 265 Kb

Approval Process for Pipeline Consent to Operate

Petroleum / Geothermal Special Prospecting Authority (SPA) with Acreage Option (AO) - 283 Kb

Approval Process for Petroleum / Geothermal Special Prospecting Authority with Acreage Option

Acreage Release - Geothermal / Petroleum State Onshore (PGERA67) / Petroleum State Offshore (PSLA82) - 331 Kb

Acreage Release - Geothermal / Petroleum State Onshore / Petroleum State Offshore approval process

State - Indefinite Term Production Licence - 427 Kb

Application and assessment process for a Production Licence

Exploration Permit Application (From Acreage) (PGERA67/PSLA82) - 373 Kb

Exploration Permit Application (From Acreage) Approval Process

Petroleum / Geothermal Special Prospecting Authority (SPA) (PGERA67 and PSLA82) - 286 Kb

Approval Process for Petroleum / Geothermal Special Prospecting Authority

For information on the Resource and Environmental Regulation Group Quality Assurance.

Get further information on Petroleum and Geothermal Approvals.