Data release dates
Release dates for offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas data vary according to the type of information and the legislation under which the data was collected. Full details are in Parts 8 (for petroleum) and 10 (for GHG) of the RMA Regulations.
Open information
NOPTA may make 'open information' about a well or survey publicly known at any time. Open information about a well or survey is defined in Regulation 1.05. It includes the name, location, type or purpose, and other general details relating to the activity.
Relevant day
All information and data submitted to NOPTA in accordance with the relevant legislation remains
confidential until it is both eligible and authorised for release.
The ‘relevant day’ determines the earliest day that information becomes eligible for release - see Parts 8 (for petroleum)
and 10 (for GHG) of the RMA Regulations. However, the relevant day is only one part of the requirements that must be
satisfied prior to release. As such, the relevant day recorded in National Offshore Petroleum Information Management
System (NOPIMS) will not always reflect the actual day of release.
NOPTA aims to authorise the release of data on the first business day of each week.
Once authorised, data will become available from NOPIMS or the National Offshore Petroleum Data and Core Repository (NOPDCR) as soon as practicable.
Releasing basic disclosable well information
The relevant day for basic well data and reports is the earlier of:
- 2 years after the end of the operation (Regulation 8.11(5) and 10.11(5)), or
- If the title has expired, or been surrendered, cancelled, revoked or terminated, the day the title ceased.
Releasing basic disclosable survey information
The relevant day for survey data and reports can vary according to survey type, permit type, and commercial intent (exclusivity)
(Regulations 8.11 (2–4) and 10.11(2-4)).
For data relating to seismic surveys, other geophysical surveys and geological surveys, the responsible Commonwealth Minister
must provide approval before NOPTA can decide whether to release the data.
- This new requirement applies to relevant data that was not publicly available (i.e. not downloadable from NOPIMS) on 28 November 2025.
- Clients are welcome to register requests for data via the NOPIMS add to basket function. We will be in contact when requests for data are approved.
- The changes do not apply to well reports and data, survey interpretation reports and data, or any information that was already downloadable from NOPIMS
immediately prior to 28 November 2025. This information remains publicly available.
Releasing interpretative disclosable information
Interpretative disclosable information (RMA Regulation 8.01 and 10.01) is released 5 years after the end of the well or survey
(Regulation 8.12 and 10.12).
Titleholders are encouraged to:
- become familiar with Division 3, Parts 8 and 10 of the RMA Regulations
- contact us with any questions, email: data@nopta.gov.au
