• Natural Gas News

    UK Upstream Regulator Investigates Licensee

Summary

The Oil & Gas Authority has warned that some licensees were taking too long to address their problems as it publishes a thematic review.

by: William Powell

Posted in:

Natural Gas & LNG News, Europe, Corporate, Political, Regulation

UK Upstream Regulator Investigates Licensee

The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has opened an investigation into a possible breach of reporting requirements under a licence, it said February. Neither the nature of the alleged offence, nor the identity of the alleged offender were made public.

"The investigation follows an enquiry which concluded that there was sufficient evidence of a breach to go ahead," it said. The investigation will gather and assess further information to enable the OGA to reach a decision, and allow the company concerned the opportunity to submit written representations.

Last October the OGA published a thematic review of industry compliance with six areas of regulatory obligations. It noted that further improvement was needed and that companies could face sanctions where breaches were found. 

The review followed a letter the OGA sent in June 2019 to licensees and infrastructure owners that said "too many issues [were] taking too long to resolve" and warned that "we will be progressively more proactive in using the OGA’s powers".