The most significant impact of the Act is to extend the term of the State Agreement by a further 25 years from 31 December 2034 to 31 December 2059. ...

In November 2019, the COAG Energy Council released Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy. The Strategy provides a framework for leveraging Australia's significant natural resources and experience with resource development to develop a strong domestic hydrogen sector. ...

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources released a new fact sheet, 'COVID-19 Fact Sheet: Work-Bid Exploration Permits' which is effective from 20 April 2020 (COVID-19 Fact Sheet). ...

On 7 April 2020, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority (NOPSEMA), issued a Safety Alert to all operators of offshore facilities who may be considering modified roster arrangements to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among members of the offshore workforce.  ...

Key changes to the Australian domestic gas security mechanism ...

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released its finalised Greenhouse Gas Emissions Environmental Factor Guideline (GHG Guideline). ...

In WA, the development of distributed energy resources (DER) technologies and new business models that weren’t contemplated by the current regulatory regime can pose safety and security issues to the South West Interconnected System. The WA Government has addressed these and other issues through various work streams delivered (and anticipated) in 2020, paving the way for a new-look energy future. ...

The Productivity Commission has released its draft report on resources sector regulation and, if implemented, its recommendations have important implications for the sector. In particular, the report includes a number of recommendations focused on reducing delays in project assessment and approval, ...

The proposed regulatory framework for offshore wind and other clean energy technologies and associated infrastructure in Commonwealth waters looks to be modelled on the regulation of offshore petroleum, with some key differences. ...

New legislation will, if passed, introduce a suite of reforms aimed at mitigating the risks of Queensland resources projects not being rehabilitated, which also have major implications for the sales of such projects. The changes' wide-ranging impact includes tighter criteria for tenement applicants and transferees, and introducing an ability for tenement conditions to be adjusted following a change of control of tenement holders. In particular, potential tenement applicants and purchasers should consider initial due diligence on people and entities that may be considered their associates, so they are prepared to defend any decision in relation to potential disqualification. ...