Pipe-Lines
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.