Greenhouse Gas (GHG) titles are awarded on a successive basis. Applicants that are granted a work-bid GHG assessment permit from an acreage release, can explore in their permit area for a potential GHG storage formation and potential GHG injection sites.
If a titleholder finds a suitable site for permanent GHG storage in their title area, they may apply for a declaration of GHG storage formation. Titleholders with a declared GHG storage formation who aren’t in a position to inject, can apply for a GHG holding lease. A petroleum retention lease holder my also apply for a GHG holding lease for any identified GHG storage formations that are wholly within the petroleum retention lease area (following the approval of a declaration of a GHG storage formation).
Titleholders wanting to commence permanent injection and storage in a declared storage formation, must apply for a GHG injection licence and a site plan. A petroleum production licence holder1 may also apply for GHG injection licence for any identified GHG storage formations that are wholly within the petroleum production licence area (following the approval of a declaration of a GHG storage formation).
When injection and storage operations cease permanently in an injection licence area, the licensee must apply for a site closing certificate.
GHG assessment permits and GHG holding leases are subject to a condition that the titleholder will not carry on key GHG operations unless the responsible Commonwealth Minister has approved the operations under section 292 or 321 of the OPGGSA.
In areas not covered by titles, companies may apply to the responsible Commonwealth Minister for a Search Authority to undertake seismic or other geophysical or geochemical survey work to explore for potential GHG storage formations or injection sites (but not to drill a well) in a particular area for a period of up to 180 days. A Search Authority does not provide any rights in relation to the award of a future GHG assessment permit.
Existing titleholders (including Search Authority holders) who wish to undertake operations for GHG exploration activities, injection, storage or monitoring (other than drilling a well) in areas proximal to their existing title may apply to the responsible Commonwealth Minister for a Special Authority. A Special Authority must be related to operations being conducted in the authority holder’s assessment permit area, holding lease area or injection licence area.
A greenhouse gas research consent authorises the holder to carry on greenhouse gas related operations in the course of a scientific investigation.
Further information on GHG applications can be found here.
1Note subsection 161(2) of the OPGGSA continues to apply without the need to apply for a GHG injection licence.
