Approval of resource management, activity and infrastructure plans

This page includes information on approvals required to conduct onshore petroleum exploration and production activities.

You must obtain approval of a well operations management plan (WOMP) before drilling any well on any type of petroleum interest.

You also need to obtain approval of a petroleum surface infrastructure plan and a field management plan with an associated rate of recovery before commencing production.

These plans ensure all wells and other petroleum infrastructure are appropriately located, designed, constructed, monitored, maintained and decommissioned.

Once a plan is approved

Once a plan has been approved, you must comply with all aspects of the plan.

It is an offence to contravene an approved plan or operate in the absence of a required plan.

You must review an approved plan every 5 years or when triggered under the Petroleum Act 1984.

The minister can direct approved plans to be reviewed at any time.