The Bayu-Undan Field (situated in Timor-Leste waters) produces dry natural gas that is exported via pipeline to the Darwin liquefied natural gas (DLNG) Plant near Darwin, Northern Territory. The Bayu-Undan to Darwin Gas Export Pipeline (the Pipeline) crosses through Commonwealth waters and has been in operation since 2005.
The ratification of the Treaty Between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Establishing Their Maritime Boundaries in the Timor Sea (the Maritime Boundary Treaty) resulted in the sections of the Pipeline within Commonwealth and Timor-Leste waters falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. As such, the sections of the Pipeline within Timor-Leste and Commonwealth waters are subject to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and subsidiary regulations.
Offshore activities include inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) of the pipeline.
The nearest land mass to the pipeline in Commonwealth Waters is Bathurst Island, Northern Territory.