Submission requirements for petroleum and greenhouse gas samples

It is expected that all samples submitted will meet the Commonwealth Offshore Sample Submission Standards. The standards are available through the related documents below.

Any queries should be directed to data@nopta.gov.au.

Viewing or sampling during the regulated periods of confidentiality

Viewing or sampling is restricted to the titleholder(s) who obtained the samples or other persons nominated by them. Access must be approved by the Titles Administrator.

Please direct requests for approval to view or sample confidential samples (including confidential slides) to data@nopta.gov.au and provide the following information:

• name, address and country of the company or person seeking access
• title number
• well name(s)
• description and details of the samples (including depths where appropriate)
• details of level of access required (i.e. viewing, borrowing or sampling)
• evidence in the form of a letter that access is approved by the titleholder(s) responsible for drilling the well (where persons other than the operator are requesting access to confidential samples).

Viewing or sampling after public release

Viewing or sampling of publicly released samples is not regulated by the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011 (RMA Regulations). The Perth NOPDCR repository grants access to all publicly released offshore slides and thin sections. The Canberra NOPDCR repository grants access to all other publicly released offshore samples.

Conditions of viewing, borrowing of slides or sampling publicly released offshore samples may be obtained by contacting:

• the Perth NOPDCR repository at corelibrary.requests@dmirs.wa.gov.au to access offshore slides and thin sections, or
• the Canberra NOPDCR repository at ausgeosamples@ga.gov.au to access all other samples.

Export of offshore samples and reporting requirements

Titleholders who have conducted drilling operations must seek approval from the Titles Administrator prior to exporting confidential samples from Australia (Regulation 7.06-7.10 and 9.06-9.10).

Approval is for a 12 month period, unless otherwise authorised by the Titles Administrator.

Where samples are not subjected to destructive analysis, all remaining materials must be returned to the originating repository. Any residues or thin sections created must be submitted to the NOPDCR repository from which they were obtained (please refer to the submission addresses webpage).

Approval by the Titles Administrator is not required for the export of samples that have been publicly released. However, approval to export these samples is required from the NOPDCR.

The titleholder must provide a report on the progress of the sampling analysis within 12 months of authorisation to export being provided (Regulation 7.08 and 9.08) and should provide a final report outlining the results of the analysis.

Please direct requests for approval to export confidential samples to data@nopta.gov.au and provide the following information:

• title number
• well name(s)
• rig release date(s)
• confirmation that the titleholder/operator requesting the export approval was responsible for drilling of the well
• the current location of the samples
• description and details of the samples (including depths where appropriate)
• the name, address and country of the company that will be undertaking the analysis
• details of analysis
• whether the analysis is destructive
• whether the analysis will result in the creation of thin sections/slides
• anticipated timeframe for returning samples and reporting; and for retained samples, confirmation that the titleholder will be able to submit the required sample amount(s).

The export approval number should be quoted on all related correspondence and the relevant data submission transmittal(s).

Variation to sample submission requirements

A variation to submission requirements for an offshore activity may be authorised by the Titles Administrator (Regulation 7.20 and 9.23). Variations may include extended submission timing, non-standard submissions, non-standard sample quantity or requests to retain, preserve or cover cores in resin. Variations must be approved prior to the submission due date.

A request to vary submission requirements should be directed to data@nopta.gov.au and include the following information:

• title number(s)
• activity details, such as well name
• the relevant regulation in which the request is being made (which submission requirement)
• the relevant submission type, such as 1/3 core or drill cuttings
• the reason for this request
• requested alternative, for example new submission date or quantity
• any foreseeable impact the request may have on the availability of the sample for public release.

The submission variation approval number should be quoted on all related correspondence and the relevant data submission transmittal(s).