| Guvnor

Enforced by: NSTA, OPRED
Status: Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling: Imprisonment 7 of 25 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 5 carry different penalties and 13 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person13 Landlord2 Director or Officer2 Occupier1

Plus 7 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 184 duties

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 144 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 104 duties

Communications Act 2003 92 duties

Road Traffic Act 1988 92 duties

Landlord — also bound by 224 other Acts

Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 74 duties

Housing Act 1985 55 duties

Housing Act 1996 30 duties

The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 27 duties

The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2004 26 duties

Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 162 duties

Companies Act 2006 126 duties

Insolvency Act 1986 77 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 68 duties

Building Societies Act 1986 32 duties

Occupier — also bound by 235 other Acts

The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 47 duties

Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 46 duties

The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 34 duties

Highways Act 1980 23 duties

Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 19 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Maximising economic recovery of UK petroleum

4 of 11 sections shown

s.009 Exercise of certain functions of the OGA Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

NSTA must act in accordance with current energy strategiesStatutory regulator

s.009 Exercise of certain functions of the Secretary of State Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must follow strategy for offshore decommissioning costsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.009 Carrying out of certain petroleum industry activities Regulated

Align petroleum activities with official government strategiesLandlord

s.009 Producing and revising a strategy Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

NSTA must review the UK petroleum strategy every four yearsStatutory regulator

7 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.009 The principal objective and the strategy

s.009 Reports by the Secretary of State

s.009 OGA's security and resilience functions

s.009 Procedure for producing and revising a strategy

s.009 “Upstream petroleum infrastructure” and its owners

s.009 “Relevant offshore installations” and their owners

s.009 Other interpretation

Part 1

Petroleum

1 of 16 sections shown

s.005 Information Imprisonment

Unauthorised disclosure of licence transfer informationAny Person

15 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.001 Meaning of “petroleum”.

s.002 Rights to petroleum vested in Her Majesty.

s.003 Licences to search and bore for and get petroleum.

s.004 Licences: further provisions.

s.004 Onshore hydraulic fracturing: safeguards

s.004 Section 4A: supplementary provision

s.005 Existing licences.

s.005 Rights transferred without the consent of appropriate authority

s.005 Offences under section 5B: supplemental

s.005 OGA’s power to require information about change in control of licensee

s.006 Repayments for development.

s.007 Ancillary rights.

s.008 Power to inspect plans of mines.

s.008 Interpretation of Part 1

s.009 Supplementary.

Part 2

Offshore activities

1 of 4 sections shown

s.010 Application of criminal law etc. Imprisonment

Individual liability for corporate offshore offencesDirector or Officer

3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.011 Application of civil law.

s.012 Prosecutions.

s.013 Interpretation of Part II.

Part 3

Submarine pipelines

10 of 25 sections shown

s.014 Construction and use of pipelines. Prosecution

Obtain written authorisation before constructing or using offshore pipelinesAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.017 Provisions relating to certain offshore gas storage facilities. Regulated

Publish commercial conditions for offshore gas storageAny Person

s.017 Section 17D: supplemental. Regulated

Keep accounting records for offshore gas storage activitiesOccupier

s.017 Acquisition of rights to use controlled petroleum pipelines. Regulated

Apply to the pipeline owner before seeking regulator interventionLandlord

s.017 Section 17F: supplemental. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

NSTA may require information regarding pipeline use applicationsStatutory regulator

s.017 Controlled petroleum pipeline subject to Norwegian access system Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

NSTA must determine disputes over Norwegian pipeline access termsStatutory regulator

s.017 Enforcement of certain duties in sections 17B, 17D and 17E. Enforcement of duty in section 17GA Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State may enforce petroleum pipeline duties via court orderCrown / Minister / Government department

s.022 Criminal proceedings. Imprisonment

Unauthorised pipeline works or breach of petroleum regulationsDirector or Officer

s.023 Civil liability for breach of statutory duty. Regulated

You may be civilly liable for personal injury caused by safety breachesAny Person

s.025 Orders and regulations. Imprisonment

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must consult and consider law when making regulationsCrown / Minister / Government department

15 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.015 Authorisations.

s.016 Compulsory modifications of pipelines.

s.017 Acquisition of rights to use pipelines.

s.017 Application of section 17B to certain downstream gas pipelines.

s.017 Additional provisions relating to certain downstream gas pipelines.

s.017 Application of section 17D to certain offshore gas storage facilities.

s.017 Section 17GA: supplemental

s.018 Termination of authorisations.

s.019 Vesting of pipelines on termination or subsequent issue of authorisations.

s.020 Inspectors etc.

s.021 Enforcement.

s.024 Application of Part III.

s.026 Meaning of “pipeline”.

s.027 Meaning of “owner”.

s.028 Interpretation of Part III.

Part 4

Abandonment of offshore installations

9 of 24 sections shown

s.028 Restriction on abandonment Imprisonment

Abandon offshore installation or pipeline without approved programmeAny Person

s.030 Persons who may be required to submit programmes. Prosecution

Fail to comply with a notice to provide programme informationAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.033 Failure to submit programmes. Prosecution

Fail to comply with information notice for abandonment programmeAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.034 Amendment of programmes Regulated

Keep decommissioning costs to a minimum when amending programsAny Person

s.036 Duty to carry out programmes. Regulated

Carry out and comply with approved offshore abandonment programmesAny Person

s.036 Reduction of costs of carrying out programmes Regulated

Fail to comply with notice to reduce abandonment programme costsAny Person

s.037 Default in carrying out programmes. Imprisonment

Fail to comply with an abandonment noticeAny Person

s.038 Financial resources. Prosecution

Fail to comply with or give false information under a financial noticeAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.045 Abandoned wells Imprisonment

Fail to comply with notice to plug or abandon wellAny Person

15 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.029 Preparation of programmes.

s.031 Section 29 notices: supplementary provisions.

s.032 Approval of programmes.

s.034 Revision of programmes.

s.035 Withdrawal of approval.

s.038 Protection of funds set aside for the purposes of abandonment programme

s.038 Directions to provide information about protected assets

s.038 Charges in connection with exercise of functions under Part 4

s.039 Regulations.

s.040 Offences: penalties.

s.041 Offences: general.

s.042 Validity of Secretary of State’s acts.

s.043 Notices.

s.044 Meaning of “offshore installation”.

s.045 Interpretation of Part IV.

Part 5

Miscellaneous and General

0 of 9 sections shown

9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.046 Northern Ireland and Isle of Man shares of petroleum revenue.

s.047 Loans for development.

s.047 Factors for the OGA to take into account

s.048 Interpretation.

s.049 Transitional provisions and savings.

s.050 Consequential amendments.

s.051 Repeals and revocations.

s.052 Commencement.

s.053 Short title and extent.

Schedules

0 of 90 shown

90 other schedules

s.002 Authorisations under section 14

s.005 Repeals and revocations

s.sch001 The model clauses (other than the model clause entitled “Right...

s.sch001 The model clauses (other than model clause 2) set out...

s.sch002 (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...

s.sch002 Where the OGA issues an authorisation other than a works...

s.sch002 The OGA shall, on receiving an application for a works...

s.sch002 Where the OGA serves on an applicant notice under paragraph...

s.sch002 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (1A), this paragraph applies where the...

s.sch002 (1) Where under paragraph 4 the OGA serves on the...

s.sch002 The purposes referred to in paragraph 4(1) are—

s.sch002 Where the OGA— (a) is satisfied that an applicant for...

s.sch002 (1) Where the OGA decides not to issue a works...

s.sch002 (1) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) apply where the OGA issues...

s.sch003 (1) The repeal (or revocation) and re-enactment of provisions in...

s.sch003 Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 2, the repeal...

s.sch003 (1) The substitution by this Act of paragraph (b) of...

s.sch003 Where, immediately before the commencement of this Act, an authorisation...

s.sch003 The reference in section 23(2)(a) to the Fatal Accidents Act...

s.sch003 The repeal by this Act of an enactment previously repealed...

s.sch003 The repeal by this Act of section 1(1) of the...

s.sch003 Nothing in section 2 or 3 shall be taken to...

s.sch003 (1) Nothing in this Act affects the validity of the...

s.sch003 (1) Where, immediately before the commencement of this Act—

s.sch003 Without prejudice to paragraph 1, any reference in any enactment...

s.sch003 (1) In relation to any time after the commencement of...

s.sch003 Any reference in— (a) section 20 to Part III of...

s.sch004 At the end of section 23 of the Mining Industry...

s.sch004 In section 49(3) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act...

s.sch004 In the Race Relations Act 1976, in sections 8(5) (employment...

s.sch004 In section 9 of the Energy Act 1976 (liquefaction of...

s.sch004 In Article 13(5) of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order...

s.sch004 In section 132 of the Patents Act 1977 (application of...

s.sch004 In section 1 of the Gas Levy Act 1981 (gas...

s.sch004 In section 118 of the Finance Act 1981 (licence payments...

s.sch004 In the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, in—

s.sch004 In section 1 of the Petroleum Royalties (Relief) Act 1983...

s.sch004 In section 107 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (application to...

s.sch004 (1) The Continental Shelf Act 1964 shall be amended as...

s.sch004 After section 7 of the Food and Environment Protection Act...

s.sch004 In section 6 of the Oil and Pipelines Act 1985...

s.sch004 In section 62 of the Gas Act 1986 (exclusion of...

s.sch004 In section 24 of the Petroleum Act 1987 (safety zones:...

s.sch004 In section 2 of the Territorial Sea Act 1987 (enactments...

s.sch004 In section 1 of the Petroleum Royalties (Relief) and Continental...

s.sch004 In section 58 of the Food Safety Act 1990 (territorial...

s.sch004 In section 14 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act...

s.sch004 In section 2 of the Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1968...

s.sch004 In section 120 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits...

s.sch004 In section 166 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits...

s.sch004 (1) The Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 shall be...

s.sch004 (1) The Offshore Safety Act 1992 shall be amended as...

s.sch004 (1) Section 287 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations...

s.sch004 In Article 3 of the Offshore, and Pipelines, Safety (Northern...

s.sch004 In section 94A of the Finance Act 1993 (parts of...

s.sch004 In section 165 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (application...

s.sch004 (1) The Coal Industry Act 1994 shall be amended as...

s.sch004 In section 293 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (functions...

s.sch004 For section 23 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act...

s.sch004 (1) Section 201 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 shall...

s.sch004 In Article 69(2) of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order...

s.sch004 In Schedule 15 to the Finance Act 1973 (territorial extension...

s.sch004 In section 20 of the Offshore Petroleum Development (Scotland) Act...

s.sch004 (1) The Oil Taxation Act 1975 shall be amended as...

s.sch004 In section 10 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (employment...

1 other provision

s.table of derivations Table of Derivations

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Understand deep land rights and petroleum licensing for onshore energy

How deep level land access rights work for petroleum and geothermal exploration. Covers the 300m depth threshold, PEDL licensing, hydraulic fracturing consent …

3 more guides that reference this instrument

Get the licences, permits and meet major-hazard duties for petroleum extraction Petroleum extraction: compliance checklist Which petroleum extraction regulations apply to your business

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.

Petroleum Act 1998

Does it bind you?

Other Acts binding the same actors

What it requires

Maximising economic recovery of UK petroleum

Petroleum

Offshore activities

Submarine pipelines

Abandonment of offshore installations

Miscellaneous and General

Schedules

Help complying

Understand deep land rights and petroleum licensing for onshore energy