DECC Introduced Public Register of Enforcement Activity for Offshore Operations

The UK Department of Energy & Climate Change introduced a Public Registers of Enforcement Activity for offshore oil and gas installations, in the attempt to increase environmental protection and transparency, while increasing confidence for offshore operations.

‘Under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, DECC is committed to make available on request information about its actions and decisions, which includes information on formal Enforcement Activity. The information provided within the registers will be subject to release and publication in accordance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR),’ reads a note released on Friday.

According to the document published on its website, DECC issued 12 enforcement notices over the last 5 years. Another register indicates that no prosecution cases resulted in successful convictions. 

DECC recently approved the Field Development Plan of the Catcher area put forward by Premier Oil (50%, operator), Cairn Energy (30%) and MOL Group (20%). 

Analysts expect the UK government to introduce a new regulator for offshore oil and gas. The government-funded report carried out by Sir Ian Wood did indeed suggest that a new body would allow collaboration between small companies.