Cliff Head Platform Update — What Fishers Need to Know
The Cliff Head platform remains unlit and should be treated as a navigational hazard. Illuminated marker buoys have been deployed around the facility and warning signs installed at local boat ramps while NOPSEMA works to restore permanent lighting.
Stay at least 500 metres from the platform. The statutory Petroleum Safety Zone remains in force, and vessels cannot enter without NOPSEMA approval. Fishers should maintain a careful lookout for the temporary marker buoys, particularly at night or in poor visibility. Check current maritime warnings before heading to sea.
WRL met with NOPSEMA on 22 September to raise concerns about permanent lighting, the effectiveness of temporary markers, fishing access and the practical impact of the 500-metre zone. NOPSEMA advised that staff met with fishers in Dongara on 1 October to hear local concerns and to clarify how fishers may expect to access the area along the State-waters pipeline operational areas during and after administration and how inspection and maintenance work may be limiting during peak fishing activity. The MOU is separate from the 500-metre zone around the Commonwealth-waters platform
NOPSEMA have confirmed that they have established a specific working group to manage the project and are seeking to procure an expert team to access the platform and review the situation on site.
The 500-metre Petroleum Safety Zone established under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 remains in force, and it is an offence for any vessel to enter the zone without NOPSEMA approval. The existing fishing-access MOU with Triangle Energy does not provide authority to enter the area as Triangle are no longer in control of the area.
Administration and the future of Cliff Head
Pilot Energy and Triangle Energy entered voluntary administration in July and are unable to meet their obligations in relation to maintenance of the facility. NOPSEMA is intervening to manage immediate risks and ensure the facility remains safe while longer-term arrangements are determined. This does not transfer all legal responsibility for the facility to the regulator.
The Australian Government has also established a temporary operations program to fund temporary operation, essential monitoring, inspection, maintenance, repair, emergency response, insurance and oil-spill-response capability under the Cliff Head Field Temporary Operations Program declaration, made on 14 September. Government costs are intended to be recovered from industry.
Ownership, decommissioning responsibilities and the longer-term future of Cliff Head remain unresolved. Any future purchaser or change in control would be subject to regulatory approval and assessment of its capacity to meet ongoing obligations.
Seismic survey and carbon storage
Eureka 3D seismic survey: The survey has not commenced. Although its environment plan was accepted by NOPSEMA in October 2025, commencement remains unlikely pending resolution of ownership and funding.
Carbon storage: The 2024 declaration identifying the Cliff Head formation as potentially suitable for greenhouse gas storage was granted to Pilot Energy and cannot be acted upon by another proponent. Importantly, the declaration does not itself authorise carbon injection or storage. Further licences, plans and regulatory approvals would be required. In practical terms, the proposed carbon-storage project is currently on hold pending clarity over ownership, funding and future approvals.
There is no timetable on the relighting of the platform and therefore WRL will continue to engage with NOPSEMA to advocate for permanent navigational lighting, safe management of the facility, clarity around fishing access and the 500-metre zone, and protection of fishing interests, as Cliff Head’s future is determined.
Fishers are encouraged to contact NOPSEMA directly with safety, access or impact concerns on Email: interventionoffice@nopsema.gov.au Please include WRL in the email so that we can provide consolidated industry submissions as necessary.
