Apply for a pipeline licence

Introduction

Energy pipelines convey energy-producing hydrocarbons like oil, gas or condensates at a pressure above 1050kPa.

Constructing and operating a high-pressure energy pipeline is a multi-stage process.

This guide provides information on how to apply for an energy pipelines licence for a petroleum pipeline.

Before you apply for a licence you must identify the proposed pipeline route and access points.

Contact the Energy Division at the start of your energy pipeline project for information about how to apply, the laws and other requirements.

Energy pipelines are administered under the Energy Pipelines Act 1981 and Energy Pipelines Regulations 2001.

When they are in the three nautical mile strip of Northern Territory coastal waters they are administered under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981.


Before you apply for a licence

Before you apply for a pipeline licence in the Northern Territory (NT) you must identify the proposed pipeline route and access points along it including sites for equipment and other works.

Get access to land

You will need to negotiate access with the landholder, leaseholder or traditional owner

Check whether your route crosses any areas of Aboriginal freehold land or land affected by native title.

If needed, you must negotiate an agreement with the traditional owner groups or their representative land council to access the land.

For NT freehold or pastoral leasehold, you must negotiate an access agreement with the landowner or leaseholder.

If the route crosses any parks or reserves you may need to get special permission. To find out about getting a permit, and what special conditions might apply, contact NT Parks and Wildlife.

If you can’t come to an access agreement with the landowner or leaseholder, you can apply for a permit which will allow you to enter land for pipeline route investigations.

Apply for a land access permit

To apply for a land access permit you must do all of the following:

  • fill in the permit application form
  • provide all of the following information - see 5(2) in the Energy Pipelines Act 1981:
    • the pipeline’s beginning and end points
    • title references for the land to be entered
    • maps showing the location of the land, the proposed pipeline route, locations for equipment or works and land needed for possible access points
    • details of any agreement, or proposed agreement, related to entry onto the land
    • details of financial and technical resources.
  • pay the fee and submit the application.

Read more about fees and rents.


Apply for a licence

A pipeline licence gives you the right to construct and operate a pipeline within a specific area along a specific route.

It is not consent to actually do so. It just establishes your claim across the land.

You need separate consents and management plans to construct and operate a pipeline.

How to apply

To apply for a pipeline licence, follow these steps:

1. Fill in the pipeline licence application form.

Pipeline licence application form DOCX (63.5 KB)
Pipeline licence application form PDF (176.0 KB)

2. Provide all of the following supporting information:

  • full technical and engineering details about the design and construction of the pipeline including all of the following:
    • the pipeline’s size and capacity
    • what it will carry
    • cathodic measures to protect against corrosion
    • proposed work and expenditure
    • machinery and equipment to be used for construction
  • a map showing all of the following:
    • the proposed pipeline route
    • proposed licence area and pipeline corridor
    • location of proposed equipment installations
    • land required for access
    • any Aboriginal land and land held by the Commonwealth as well as any easements or land acquired or agreed to be acquired
  • details of existing or proposed land access agreements
  • name and address of anyone who could be affected by the pipeline or access requirements, including any agreements or arrangements
  • proof you have the technical ability to undertake the project
  • proof you have the financial capacity to undertake the project.

3. Pay the fee. Read the list of fees to find out how much you will have to pay.

4. Submit the application. Read about how to pay and submit the application.

Section 13 of the Energy Pipelines Act 1981 provides detailed information on the supporting information.

You can contact the Energy Division for assistance with your application.


How to pay and submit

Find information on paying the fee and submitting your application below.

Pay the fee

Find out how much you have to pay by reading the list of fees and rents.

You can use any of the methods below to pay your fee:

  • personal cheques or money orders made payable to the Receiver of Territory Monies - they must be attached to the application
  • Visa or MasterCard - there is an authorisation space on the form to enter your card details
  • direct debit to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade account - details below:
    • account name: Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    • financial institution: National Australia Bank
    • branch number (BSB): 085 461
    • account number: 932610008
    • use the authorisation reference number as the transaction reference.
  • EFTPOS and cash payment for applications that are lodged in person.

Submit your application

You can submit your application by mail, fax, email or in person:

By mail

Energy Division
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
GPO Box 4550
Darwin NT 0801

By fax

Fax: 08 8999 5191

By email

petroleum.operations@nt.gov.au

In person

Energy Division
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
Level 4 Paspalis Centrepoint building
48-50 Smith Street (Corner of Knuckey Street and Smith Street Mall)
Darwin NT 0800

Contact

For more information, contact the Energy Division by calling 08 8999 5640 (operations) or 08 8999 7112 (titles), or emailing petroleum.operations@nt.gov.au.


Contact

You can contact pipeline operations in the Energy Division by calling (08) 8999 5460 (operations) or (08) 8999 7112 (Titles) or emailing petroleum.operations@nt.gov.au.


Modify or decommission a pipeline

This page has information on how to apply for consent to modify or decommission an energy pipeline.

Modify a pipeline

You may only modify a pipeline if all of the following conditions are met:

  • there is a current, accepted pipeline management plan in place which provides for the modification
  • the modification is consistent with the purpose for which the pipeline was designed
  • the modification is in accordance with the pipeline management plan.

If you do not have a current, accepted pipeline management plan in place which provides for the intended modification contact the Energy Division for direction on how the modification should be handled.

Read more about pipeline management plans.

Decommission a pipeline

You may only decommission a pipeline if all of the following conditions are met:

  • there is a current, accepted pipeline management plan in place which provides for the decommissioning
  • the decommissioning is in accordance with the pipeline management plan.

If you do not have a current, accepted pipeline management plan in place which provides for the intended decommissioning contact the Energy Division for direction on how the decomissioning should be handled.