Pipe-Lines

Petroleum Act 19982018-07-012018-07-022018-07-042018-07-062018-07-102018-07-112018-07-192018-07-202018-07-232018-07-242018-07-262018-07-272018-07-312018-08-012018-08-022018-08-062018-08-072018-08-092018-08-102018-08-162018-08-172018-08-212018-08-232018-08-282018-08-292019-07-252019-07-26TSO (The Stationery Office), St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1PD, 01603 622211, customer.services@tso.co.uk33544868176

Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning

THE OFFSHORE PETROLEUM PRODUCTION AND PIPE-LINES (ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS) REGULATIONS 1999 (AS AMENDED)

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT DECISIONS

The Department has recently become aware that the notices relating to decisions in July and August 2018 were not published after those decisions were made. The notices are now published below. Any person aggrieved by any of these decisions may now apply to the Court to challenge the lawfulness of the decision. If you have any questions in relation to the notices, the decisions or the administrative oversight that prevented earlier publication, please contact the Environmental Management Team, Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED), AB1 Building, Crimon Place, Aberdeen AB10 1BJ (e-mail: emt@beis.gov.uk).

Pursuant to regulations 5A(7) and 5A(8) of the above Regulations, the Secretary of State gives notice of the following decisions in respect of the Secretary of State’s agreement to the grant of consent in relation to a relevant project under regulation 5A(1)(c) of the above Regulations.

Reference  Operator  Project Name   Quad/ Block   Decision Issued 
D/4209/2018 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Vorlich Field Development 30/01 and 30/06 07/08/2018
Summary of representations received  Consultees confirmed no objections and no representations were received in response to the public notice. 
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based  Main considerations related to seabed disturbance, discharges to the marine environment, atmospheric emissions and noise emissions, but impacts were assessed as localised and not significant.
Relevant mitigation measures, environmental conditions or monitoring conditions attached to decision   Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing all works are undertaken as specified in the Environmental Statement. No additional environmental / monitoring conditions were attached to the decision.
  Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Decision Issued
D/4193/2016 Nexen Petroleum U.K. Ltd Buzzard Field Phase II Development 19/05a, 19/10, 20/01 and 20/06 26/07/2018
Summary of representations received Consultees confirmed no objections and no representations were received in response to the public notice.
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to seabed disturbance, marine discharges, noise emissions and atmospheric emissions, but impacts were assessed as localised and not significant.
Relevant mitigation measures, environmental conditions or monitoring conditions attached to decision Pipeline stabilisation materials to be discussed with relevant fishermen’s representative body, and appropriate controls will be put in in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement to the issue of consent is conditional upon all works being undertaken as detailed in the Environmental Statement. No additional environmental / monitoring conditions were attached to the decision.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Decision Issued
D/4220/2018 Apache Beryl I Ltd Garten Field Development 09/18 27/07/2018
Summary of representations received Consultees confirmed no objections and no representations were received in response to the public notice.
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to the physical impact of installed infrastructure, marine discharges and atmospheric emissions, but impacts were assessed as localised and not significant.
Relevant mitigation measures, environmental conditions or monitoring conditions attached to decision Appropriate controls will be put in in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement to the issue of consent is conditional upon all works being undertaken as detailed in the Environmental Statement. No additional environmental / monitoring conditions were attached to the decision.
Reference  Operator   Project Name   Quad/ Block  Decision Issued 
D/4210/2018 Total E&P UK Ltd.  Central Graben Area Elgin Production Consent Increase 22/30b and 22/30c  29/08/2018
Summary of representations received  Consultees confirmed no objections and no representations were received in response to the public notice. 
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based  Main considerations related to marine discharges and atmospheric emissions, but impacts were assessed as localised and not significant.
Relevant mitigation measures, environmental conditions or monitoring conditions attached to decision   Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing proposals are undertaken as detailed in the Environmental Statement.  No additional environmental / monitoring conditions were attached to the decision. 

Having regard to the environmental statements submitted under the above Regulations, any information provided under regulation 10 of these Regulations and any representations received, the Secretary of State has assessed the projects as not likely to have a significant effect on the environment and has agreed to the grant of consent under the Petroleum Act 1998.

Further information in relation to the decisions can be found on the GOV.UK website at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-environmental-data.

Direction Decisions

The Department has recently become aware that the notices relating to decisions in July and August 2018 were not published after those decisions were made. The notices are now published below. Any person aggrieved by any of these decisions may now apply to the Court to challenge the lawfulness of the decision. If you have any questions in relation to the notices, the decisions or the administrative oversight that prevented earlier publication, please contact the Environmental Management Team, Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED), AB1 Building, Crimon Place, Aberdeen AB10 1BJ (e-mail: emt@beis.gov.uk).

Pursuant to regulations 6(11) and 6(12) of the above Regulations, the Secretary of State gives notice of the following decisions, in respect of applications made under regulation 6 of the above Regulations requesting a direction confirming that a relevant project need not be accompanied by an environmental statement and confirming the Secretary of State’s agreement to the grant of consent.

Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Direction Issued
DRA/552 Zennor Pathway Ltd. Finlaggan Prospect F1 Appraisal Well 21/05c 04/07/2018
DRA/568 Zennor Pathway Ltd. Finlaggan Prospect F2 Appraisal Well 21/05c 04/07/2018
DRA/573 Nautical Petroleum Ltd. Ekland Prospect Exploration Well 22/18c 19/07/2018
DRA/570 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Schiehallion Field P56 Development Well 204/20 23/07/2018
DRA/579 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Schiehallion Field IX407 Development Well 204/20 23/07/2018
DRA/571 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Schiehallion Field I57 Development Well 204/20 24/07/2018
DRA/578 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Schiehallion Field PX407 Development Well 204/20 24/07/2018
DRA/583  Total E&P U.K. Ltd. Alywn North Development Well  03/9a  06/08/2018 
DRA/576 Azinor Catalyst Ltd. Plantain Well 09/14a-Plantain 09/14a 17/08/2018
DRA/577 Nexen Petroleum U.K. Ltd. Glengorm Well 22/21c-M 22/21 17/08/2018
DRA/562 Chevron North Sea Ltd. West Wick Well 13/22a-8 13/21a 23/08/2018
DRA/575 Total E&P North Sea UK Ltd. Ballindalloch 9/19a-24 (SM7A) 9/19a 02/08/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to marine discharges, atmospheric emissions and interference with other users of the sea. Discharges assessed as no risk to marine environment and atmospheric emissions rapidly dispersed to background levels. Impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features / measures Any cuttings contaminated with oil-based mud will be treated offshore prior to discharge or shipped to shore for treatment and disposal, and works will be undertaken in accordance with applicable navigational conditions.  Appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Direction Issued
DRA/574 Total E&P North Sea UK Ltd. Culzean Field 22/25a-C2 Development Well 22/25 19/07/2018
DRA/557 ConocoPhillips Petroleum Co. U.K. Ltd. Jasmine Field S12 Exploration Well 30/07a 20/07/2018
DRA/580 Apache Beryl I Ltd. Beryl Alpha Well 9/13a-A73y 09/13a 16/08/2018
DRA/584 Total E&P North Sea UK Ltd. Culzean Well 22/25a-C4 22/25 17/08/2018
DRA/587 Apache Beryl I Ltd. Beryl Alpha Well 9/13a-A78z 09/13a 21/08/2018
DRA/582 Apache North Sea Ltd. Forties Bravo 21/10-B56Y 21/10 26/07/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to marine discharges and atmospheric emissions. Discharges assessed as no risk to marine environment, and atmospheric emissions rapidly dispersed to background levels. Impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features / measures Any cuttings contaminated with oil-based mud will be treated offshore prior to discharge or shipped to shore for treatment and disposal. Appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Direction Issued
DRA/528 Neptune E&P UK Ltd. Greater Cygnus Area Well FB9 44/12b 10/08/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to marine discharges, atmospheric emissions, deposit of rig stabilisation materials and interference with other users of the sea. Discharges assessed as no risk to marine environment and atmospheric emissions rapidly dispersed to background levels. Impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features/measures Any cuttings contaminated with oil-based mud will be treated offshore prior to discharge or shipped to shore for treatment and disposal, and works will be undertaken in accordance with applicable navigational conditions.  Appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/Block Direction Issued
PLA/512 EnQuest Heather Ltd. Kraken Field Infield Pipelines PL4388, PL4389, PL4390 and PLU4391 09/02 01/07/2018
PLA/554 Total E&P North Sea UK Ltd. Lochranza Field Infield Pipelines PL4484, PL4485, PLU4486 and PLU3122 15/20 04/07/2018
PLA/490 Shell U.K. Ltd. Brent Charlie Gas Export Pipeline and Brent Field Bypass Phase 2 Project 211/29 10/07/2018
PLA/532 Hurricane Energy PLC Lancaster Field Subsea Umbilical Risers and Flowlines (SURF) Installation 205/21a 11/07/2018
PLA/560 Chrysaor Ltd. Lomond Field Pipeline PL781 Bypass Project 23/21 19/07/2018
PLA/540 Shell U.K. Ltd. Gannet Field Pipeline Replacement PL4470 21/30 27/07/2018
PLA/444 Shell U.K. Ltd. Nelson Field Umbilical Replacement Project PLU4322 22/11 06/07/2018
PLA/564 TAQA Bratani Ltd. Otter Multiphase Pump Installation Works 210/15a 28/08/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to installation of infrastructure and associated deposit of materials on the seabed, marine discharges and interference with other users of the sea.  Discharges assessed as no risk to the marine environment, and impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features / measures Deposits will be the minimum required to achieve objectives and designed to prevent unnecessary interference with other users of the sea. Works will be undertaken in accordance with applicable navigational conditions and appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing works are undertaken as specified in the application.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/Block Direction Issued
PLA/557 Total E&P North Sea UK Ltd. Gryphon Field Installation of Riser Base B Production Valve Skid PL296 9/18 02/07/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to installation of infrastructure and associated deposit of materials on the seabed, and marine discharges. Discharges assessed as no risk to the marine environment, and impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features / measures Deposits will be the minimum required to achieve objectives and appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing works are undertaken as specified in the application.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Direction Issued
PLA/561 Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Ltd. Wood Field Pipeline Inspection Operations PL2339 and PL2340 22/17 06/07/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to seabed excavation operations and deposit of materials on the seabed. Impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features / measures Excavations and deposits will be the minimum required to achieve objectives, and appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing works are undertaken as specified in the application.
Reference  Operator  Project Name  Quad/ Block  Direction Issued
PLA/575  Spirit Energy Production UK Ltd.  Millom East Pipeline Flushing Repair and Disconnect Operations 113/27b 19/07/2018 
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based  Main considerations related to deposit of materials on the seabed and marine discharges.  Discharges assessed as no risk to the marine environment, and impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features/measures  Deposits will be the minimum required to achieve objectives and appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing works are undertaken as specified in the application.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Direction Issued
PLA/553 PX Group Ltd. Freespan Correction Works, Shetland Island Regional Export (SIRGE) Pipeline PL2764 207/20 24/07/2018
PLA/549 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Madoes and Marnock Pipeline Inspection Works 22/18, 22/23 and 22/24 01/08/2018
PLA/583 CNR International (UK) Ltd. Strathspey Pipeline Protection Works 03/04 07/08/2018
PLA/490 Shell UK Ltd. Brent By-pass Pipeline Works 211/29 09/08/2018
PLA/601 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Kinnoull Displaced Mattress Reinstatement Works 16/28 23/08/2018
PLA/594 Total E&P North Sea UK Ltd. Ballindalloch Well Pipeline Tie-in Works 09/19a and 09/18b 28/08/2018
PLA/591 Eni UK Ltd. Lennox Freespan Correction Works 110/13 and 110/15 29/08/2018
Main reasons/conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to deposit of materials on the seabed and interference with other users of the sea. Impacts assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features/measures Deposits will be the minimum required to achieve objectives and designed to prevent unnecessary interference with other users of the sea. Works will be undertaken in accordance with applicable navigational conditions and appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing works are undertaken as specified in the application.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block Direction Issued
PLA/589 Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Ltd. Sycamore Field Jumper Disconnects 16/12a 17/08/2018
PLA/588  Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Ltd. Birch Field Jumper Disconnects  16/12a 17/08/2018 
Main reasons/conclusions on which decision is based  Main considerations were atmospheric emissions. Atmospheric emissions will be rapidly dispersed to background levels and impacts were assessed as localised and not significant.
Mitigation features/measures  Works will be undertaken in accordance with applicable navigational conditions and appropriate controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events. Agreement was given to the issue of consent providing works are undertaken as specified in the application.
Reference Operator Project Name Quad/Block Direction Issued
PRA/264 Ithaca Causeway Ltd. Causeway Field Increase in Production 211/22a 20/07/2018
PRA/101 Nexen Petroleum U.K. Ltd. Buzzard field production increase 20/06 31/07/2018
Main reasons / conclusions on which decision is based Main considerations related to marine discharges and atmospheric emissions.  Discharges assessed as no risk to the environment and atmospheric emissions rapidly dispersed to background levels. Impacts assessed as localised and not significant. Operational impacts were localised and insignificant, and agreement was given to the issue of consent, providing increases are as specified in the application.
Mitigation features / measures Appropriate controls in place to reduce the likelihood of accidental events and agreement was given to the issue of consent, providing increases are as specified in the application.

Having regard to the relevant applications for directions submitted under the above Regulations, the Secretary of State has assessed the projects as not likely to have a significant effect on the environment and has given directions that the applications for consent under the Petroleum Act 1998 need not be accompanied by an environmental statement. The main reasons and considerations on which these decisions are based are summarised above and have taken full account of the characteristics of the project, the environmental sensitivity of the areas likely to be affected by the project and the nature and significance of the potential impacts, as set out in Schedule 1 to the Regulations.

Further information in relation to all the decisions detailed in this notice can be found on the GOV.UK website at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-environmental-data.

Excluded Activity Decisions

The Department has recently become aware that the notices relating to decisions in July and August 2018 were not published after those decisions were made. The notices are now published below. Any person aggrieved by any of these decisions may now apply to the Court to challenge the lawfulness of the decision. If you have any questions in relation to the notices, the decisions or the administrative oversight that prevented earlier publication, please contact the Environmental Management Team, Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED), AB1 Building, Crimon Place, Aberdeen AB10 1BJ (e-mail: emt@beis.gov.uk).

Pursuant to regulation 5(10) of the above Regulations, the Secretary of State gives notice that, having regard to the matters set out in regulations 5(2) and/or 5(2A) and Schedule 1 to the Regulations, the Secretary of State has decided that the operations in respect of which consent is sought would not be likely to have a significant effect on the environment and accordingly no environmental statement need be prepared in respect of the relevant projects.

Reference Operator Project Name Quad/ Block
EX-46-2018 Chevron North Sea Ltd. Captain Field Pipeline Works 13/22
EX-47-2018 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Machar Field Pipeline Works 23/26
EX-48-2018 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Machar Field Pipeline Works 23/26
EX-49-2018 Apache Beryl I Ltd. Buckland Field Pipeline Works 9/18
EX-50-2018 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Clair Field Pipeline Works 206/08
EX-51-2018 TAQA Bratani Ltd. Kestrel Field Pipeline Works 211/25
EX-52-2018 Spirit Energy Production UK Ltd. Millom field Pipeline Works 113/27b
EX-53-2018 Apache Beryl I Limited Buckland Field pipeline works 9/18
EX-54-2018 Petrofac Facilities Management Ltd. Guillemot Field Pipeline Works 21/30
EX-55-2018 Spirit Energy North Sea Ltd. Chestnut Field Pipeline Works 22/02a
EX-56-2018 Apache Beryl I Ltd. Garten Field Pipeline Works 9/18
EX-57-2018 Apache Beryl I Ltd. Beryl Field Pipeline Works 9/13
EX-58-2018 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Madoes Field Pipeline Works 22/23
EX-59-2018 BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. Loyal Field Pipeline Works 204/20
EX-60-2018 Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited Golden Eagle Field Pipeline Works 20/01
EX-61-2018 EnQuest Heather Limited West Don Pipeline Operations 211/18
EX-62-2018 Apache Beryl I Limited Nevis South Pipeline Operations 9/13
EX-63-2018 Repsol Sinopec Resourced UK Limited Blane Pipeline Operations 30/03
EX-64-2018 Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited Burghley Pipeline Operations 16/22

Further information in relation to all the decisions detailed in this notice can be found on the GOV.UK website at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-environmental-data.