The Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Data Management) Regulations 2004 (Cth) ("Regulations") came into force on 4 June 2004 and provide for data management (including obtaining, recording, and disclosing data) in connection with petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters.' It is now an offence to conduct a petroleum activity (including exploration and production activities) without an accepted and current Data Management Plan ("DMP") or permission from the Designated Authority ("DA"). As a result of these changes, the acquisition, recording, retention, and provision of data from petroleum activities is now significantly more regulated. This article outlines and discusses the data management obligations imposed by the Regulations. The Regulations are intended to: "allow for data management arrangements to be changed in response to technology and management systems, as long as key principles are adhered to. An essential part of this flexibility is the development of an agreed DMP, which specifies acceptable methods of acquiring, maintaining and submitting data. This will allow industry to implement improved practices, without the need for Government to continually update regulatory requirements".
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