NOPSA is a Statutory Agency regulating Commonwealth, State and Territory coastal waters with accountability to the relevant Ministers. The Authority has its headquarters in Perth and commenced operations on 1 January 2005.

The role of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) is to administer offshore petroleum safety legislation. The organisation's primary objectives include:

Improving health and safety outcomes across the offshore petroleum industry
Ensuring health and safety regulation of the offshore petroleum industry is provided to standards that are equal to the best in the world
Reducing the regulatory burden on the offshore petroleum industry, which operates across multiple jurisdictions, by delivering a consistent and comprehensive health and safety regime.

News and Events

Offshore safety report puts Australian industry performance in the spotlight
12 August 2010

NOPSA's second Health and Safety Performance Report provides a valuable overview of the OHS performance of Australia's offshore petroleum industry for the period from 2005 to June 2010.

2010 HSR Forum and Safety Conference
25 August 2010

This year's Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) Forum, held at Burswood Convention Centre on August 10, attracted a record turn-out and a range of speakers addressing issues such as fatigue management, conflict resolution techniques, managing noise, safety tips and organisational culture.

Organised by the HSR Steering Committee and chaired by NOPSA in conjunction with the Australian Petroleum production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the 2010 HSR Forum responded to feedback and included more opportunities for interactive involvement.

Amongst other activities, a workshop was held to discuss strategies for continuing ongoing safety competence, addressing the elephant in the room: the changing dynamic between an experienced but ageing workforce and new recruits to the industry. The results of this workshop are being collated by APPEA. Visit their website at appea.com.au for more information on the forum and the conference.

General Manager Regulatory Operations, Simon Schubach's presentation highlighted industry performance, process safety culture and the influence of risk on decision making. Both presentations are now available on NOPSA's website at nopsa.gov.au.

The day-long Forum culminated in the HSR Awards, with Gerald Sanders (Songa Offshore) and Alan Davies (Transfield Worley) announced as Offshore HSRs of the Year for their outstanding contributions to the safety and care of their fellow workers.

The Safety for Generations 2010 APPEA National Oil and Gas Safety Conference was held over the following two days, from August 11-12.

CEO, Jane Cutler, presenting on challenges and opportunities for offshore safety beyond 2010 and launching NOPSA's 2010 Offshore Health and Safety Performance Report.

Feedback received from industry and attendees about NOPSA's presence at the event was positive with many visitors to the NOPSA exhibition stand enquiring about the Safety Case regime, Commonwealth legislation, validation, Operator nomination and the role of HSRs.

Thank you

NOPSA would like to thank the all the presenters, HSRs and associated Operators for their collective contribution to the success of the 2010 HSR Forum.

NOPSA refers brief of evidence on Montara spill to Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP)
18 June 2010

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) has referred a brief of evidence to the CDPP as part of its investigation into whether occupational health and safety laws were contravened by the operators of the Montara well head platform and the West Atlas rig.

NOPSA Chief Executive Officer, Jane Cutler, said that the CDPP will now consider the brief and determine what action to take.

This exhaustive and detailed investigation was launched by NOPSA immediately following the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons on 21 August 2009 from the Montara well head platform. The platform is located in the Ashmore Cartier region in the Timor Sea, about 690 km west of Darwin.

A separate Commission of Inquiry into the uncontrolled release of oil and gas from the Montara Wellhead Platform in the Timor Sea was established on 5 November 2009 by the Hon. Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy; Minister for Tourism.

(Enquiries to: NOPSA Chief Information Officer, John Townsend, on 08 6461 7045)

Amended Regulations Introduced

Amendments to the former Offshore Petroleum (Safety) Regulations 2009 and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety Levies) Regulations 2004 came into effect on 8 June 2010. These amendments provide for NOPSA to regulate occupational health and safety of greenhouse gas storage facilities, and to provide for NOPSA's early engagement with an operator in the safety case development process for projects employing new technologies for a facility. A summary of the main changes is available on this site.

New Single Set of Safety Regulations

Consolidation and updating of safety-related regulations under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 by the Federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) is complete. The new regulations are now in force and contain a number of amendments. Please note: it is possible that NOPSA's website may contain some outdated references to the regulations until all relevant material has been updated.

National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority

Recent Updates

Health and Safety News

Welcome to NOPSA