Gippsland Offshore Operations (Revision) Environment Plan

To help meet east coast domestic energy demand, subsea gas reserves need to be developed to replace existing wells as they run out. Imported alternatives cost significantly more and result in much higher emissions. The current Gippsland Offshore Operations EP is being revised early in its 5-year life primarily to incorporate the proposed restart of production from the Patricia Baleen gas fields.  The current EP can be viewed on the regulator (NOPSEMA) site here: Gippsland Offshore Operations EP.

The Patricia Baleen gas fields are 100% owned and operated by Amplitude Energy. The fields ceased production under the previous operator in 2008, and the pipeline ceased operations in 2015 after production from the Longtom field ceased (the Longtom field belongs to another operator).  The facilities remain under care and maintenance. Timing is now right to consider bringing these fields back into production. No new wells or flowlines are required for the restart of production from these fields.

The Patricia-Baleen and Sole gas fields and associated infrastructure are in Commonwealth waters, and the Patricia Baleen and Sole pipelines and umbilical(s) are within Commonwealth and State waters. Water depths across the Gippsland Offshore Operations assets range from approximately 9 m to 125 m.

Location

Offshore from the Orbost gas plant, Gippsland Basin, extending from the coast to approximately 25 km (Patricia Baleen) to 35 km (Sole).

Offshore Gunaikurnai country.

Update log

• June 2026: Page created

Activity details include the following:

Production activities:

• Sole operations - gas production from the Sole field via pipeline to shore through both Commonwealth and Victorian state waters
• Patricia Baleen - gas production from the Patricia Baleen fields via pipeline to shore through both Commonwealth and Victorian state waters

Vessel based activities using work vessels, uncrewed vessels and remotely operated vehicles (ROV) in both Commonwealth and Victorian state waters

• Inspections, maintenance and repair (IMR)
• Support operations

Distance from shore

From the Victorian shoreline to approximately 35 km offshore

Permit areas

Commonwealth: VIC/RL16 (retention lease) , VIC/L32 (production licence), VIC/PL31, VIC/PL43 (pipeline licences)

Victorian: VIC/PL31(V), VIC/PL006401(V) (pipeline licences)

Water depth

Approximately 9 m to 125 m

Supply base

To be determined, but most likely Barry Beach or Geelong

Summary of Impacts, Risks and Activities

Information sheet link regarding impacts, risks and control measures.

Timeline

The EP covers a 5-year period from acceptance by NOPSEMA. During this period a number of inspection only, or inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) campaigns may occur, each lasting approximately 2 - 4 weeks, with a conservative allowance of up to 8 weeks if major repair works are required.

Identified impacts and risks

Interaction with other marine users

• Other marine users will be requested to maintain a safe distance of 500m from operating support vessels

Impacts

• Changes to the functions, interests and activities of other marine users

Controls

• Temporary Exclusion Zones will be communicated via Notices to Mariners
• Fisheries damages protocol
• Ongoing consultation and notification
• Marine assurance process

Seabed disturbance

Our proposed activities offshore include:

• 'Flying' our ROV (remotely operated vehicle) close to seabed
• IMR work such as pipeline stabilisation or subsea infrastructure replacement

Impact

• Change in benthic habitat

Risks

• Marine fauna injury or mortality
• Cultural heritage changes

Controls

To mitigate or reduce these impacts and risks we will implement the following controls:

• Planned maintenance system
• Offshore work procedures
• Marine assurance process
• Underwater cultural heritage disturbance risk management process

Underwater sound

Underwater sound will be generated from the following activities:

• Support vessel operation: Continuous sound through propeller and thrusters when moving and holding position. Indicative support vessel is shown below.
• Remotely operated Vehicle (ROV) operations
• Sound emissions from geophysical (acoustic) tools
• Seabed coring and sampling

Impact

• Change in ambient sound

Risks

• Behavioural change in marine fauna (marine mammals, marine turtles, fish)
• Auditory (hearing) impairment (marine fauna)

Controls

• Victoria Whale Disturbance Risk Management Procedure to ensure our activities are not inconsistent with relevant EPBC species recovery plans
• Marine Assurance Process
• Offshore Operational Procedures

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are generated by the following activities:

• Support vessel operations:  Support vessels generate direct emissions by their use of diesel or gas to generate power for operation. 

Impacts

• Increase in greenhouse gas emissions
• Change in climate systems
• Change in ecosystems
• Change in Socio-economic factors

Controls

• Marine assurance process
• Amplitude Energy emissions reduction protocol

Light emissions

Our proposed activities offshore that may result in light emissions include:

• Vessel operations

Impact

• Change in ambient light

Risks

• Change in fauna behaviour

Controls

To mitigate or reduce the impacts and risks of our activities we will:

• Conduct a pre-campaign risk review for light
• Implement Marine Assurance Process (e.g. comply with Marine Order 30)
• Implement Light Management Measures (e.g. Vessel non-essential light positioning)

Other atmospheric emissions

Our proposed activities offshore that may result in Atmospheric Emissions include:

• Vessel operations

Impact

• Change in air quality

Controls

To mitigate or reduce the impacts and risks of our activities we will:

• Implement a Marine Assurance Process for vessels

Planned discharges

Our proposed activities offshore that may result in planned discharges include:

• Vessel operations
• Inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR)

Impact

• Change in water quality and change in sediment quality.

Risks

• Injury / mortality to marine fauna.

Controls

To mitigate or reduce the impacts and risks of our activities we will:

• Implement a Marine Assurance Process
• Implement an Offshore Chemical Assessment Procedure
• Ensure the vessels meet emissions and discharge standards  prior to commencing an offshore activity
• Undertake a campaign risk review

Invasive marine species

Activities

• Ballast water adjustments by support vessels to maintain stability.
• Biofouling by support vessels and submerged equipment through IMS presence on submerged surfaces

Risks

• IMS transferred into field, establishes and spreads.
• IMS is transferred between vessels, establishes and spreads to other areas.
• IMS is transferred out of the field and establishes outside the region and spreads.

Controls

• IMS Risk Management Protocol
• Australian Biofouling Management Requirements

Unplanned interactions with marine fauna

Our proposed activities offshore that may result in unplanned interactions with marine fauna include:

• Vessel operations

Risks

• Injury / mortality to marine fauna.

Controls

To mitigate or reduce the impacts and risks of our activities we will:

• Implement Offshore Operational Procedures (e.g. distances and management practices for interacting with cetaceans)
• Implement Offshore Victoria Whale Disturbance Risk Management Procedure to ensure our activities are not inconsistent with relevant EPBC species recovery plans

Accidental or uncontrolled hydrocarbon release

Our proposed activities offshore that may result in accidental hydrocarbon release include:

• Vessel operations

Impact

• Change in water quality

Risks

• Change in habitat
• Change in fauna behaviour
• Injury / Mortality to Fauna
• Changes to the Functions, Interests, or Activities of Other Users

Controls

To mitigate or reduce the impacts and risks of our activities we will:

• Implement a Marine Assurance Process (e.g. compliance with Marine Orders)
• Implement Marine Exclusion and Caution Zones
• Undertake ongoing engagement
• Maintain an Operational and Scientific Monitoring Program
• Have an accepted Oil Pollution Emergency Plan for the activity
• Have regulatory Safety Management Plans in place

Loss of Materials or Waste Overboard

Our proposed activities offshore that may result in Loss of Materials or Waste Overboard include:

• Vessel operations
• ROV operations

Risks

• Change in Habitat
• Injury / Mortality to Marine Fauna
• Change to Cultural Heritage

Controls

To mitigate or reduce the impacts and risks of our activities we will:

• Implement a Marine Assurance Process
• Implement Offshore Operational Procedures
• Ensure Vessels meet Emissions and Discharge standards

Have your say

We want to hear from relevant persons. Please use the contact form below to get in touch, and feel free to share this website link with any other relevant persons that you are aware of.

What next

We will submit our draft environment plan to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for assessment. If you have consulted with us as a relevant person, your input will be considered in improving our EP. Your name will be included in the "sensitive information" part of our plan and not published.  

You are being consulted under section 25 of the OPGGS(E) Regulations (Cth) and section 13 of the OPGGS Regulations 2021 (Victoria).