Public release of data

The government publicly releases offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas survey and well data. This is done under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2011 (RMA Regulations).

On this page:

Data release dates

Release dates for offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas data vary according to the information type and legislation under which the data was collected. Full details are in Parts 8 and 10 of the RMA Regulations.

Open information

NOPTA may make 'open information' about a well or survey publicly known at any time. Open information about a well or survey is defined in Regulation 1.05. It includes the name, location, type or purpose, and other general details relating to the activity.

Relevant day

NOPTA may make disclosable information publicly known after the ‘relevant day’ has passed. The ‘relevant day’ is the earliest day the information can be released by the Titles Administrator. (Parts 8 and 10 of the RMA Regulations.)

All information and data submitted to NOPTA in accordance with the relevant legislation shall remain confidential at least until it is eligible for public release.

The National Offshore Petroleum Data and Core Repository (NOPDCR) maintains confidential information on behalf of NOPTA. Once the relevant day has passed and the Titles Administrator has authorised the data for release, it will be made publicly available through:

The regulations require data to be kept confidential for certain periods.

Basic disclosable well and survey data

  • The earliest possible release date for basic well data and reports is 2 years after the end of the operation (Regulation 8.11(5) and 10.11(5)).
  • Release provisions for basic survey data can vary according to survey type, permit type, and commercial intent (exclusivity) (Regulations 8.11 (2–4) and 10.11(2-4)). Confidentiality periods of up to 15 years may apply.
  • Where permits expire through surrender, cancellation, revocation or termination the basic data becomes releasable on the day of expiry.

Titleholders are encouraged to:

  • become familiar with Division 3, Parts 8 and 10 of the RMA Regulations
  • contact us with any questions, email: data@nopta.gov.au.

Interpretative disclosable information

The earliest possible release dates for interpretative well data and reports is 5 years after the end of the operation. (Regulation 8.12 and 10.12)

Timing of public releases

NOPTA aims to authorise the release of data on the first business day of the week.

A NOPIMS-listed relevant day will not necessarily reflect the actual day of release.

After release, data will become available for public use as soon as possible through NOPIMS or the NOPDCR.

How to access and use data

Contacts to find out how to access and use the digital data are:

Find out how to access or submit petroleum or greenhouse gas physical samples such as core, cuttings and hydrocarbons on our Offshore petroleum mining samples page.

Onshore data, including data related to territorial waters is managed by state and territory governments.

Offshore production data

Offshore production data is not available for public release. This is data is permanently confidential under Regulations 8.02(3) and 10.02(3).

Individual petroleum titleholders and operators may choose to make production and other information available. You may wish to contact those companies directly. Details of Australian offshore titleholders and permits is on the National Electronic Approvals Tracking System (NEATS) website.

Certain aggregated production and reserves data may be available through Geoscience Australia publications.

Contact us

Email: data@nopta.gov.au

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