Licensee to keep records
- Keep accurate drilling records and geological plans Licence Holder
UK Statutory Instrument
2004
United Kingdom
The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
125 compliance obligations
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Licence Holder 123
Plus 2 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Licence Holders also bound by 221 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999 1999 317 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 76 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 68 duties
- The Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1991 1991 65 duties
- The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 2014 2014 51 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Returns
- Submit monthly and annual returns on exploration operations Licence Holder
Licensee to keep samples
- Label, preserve and retain seabed, strata, petroleum and water samples for 5 years Licence Holder
Power to inspect records
- Allow Crown inspectors to inspect and copy your records Licence Holder
Indemnity against third party claims
- Indemnify the Minister against third-party claims Licence Holder
Agreement not to assign
- Do not assign licence rights without Minister’s written consent Licence Holder
Ministry of Defence
- Notify Ministry of Defence of installations and surveys; install sonar beacons on temporary structures Licence Holder
Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs/Scottish Executive
- Manage fisheries liaison, debris clearance, and compensation claims Licence Holder
Provision of contact details to Minister
- Provide the Minister with up-to-date contact details for official documents Licence Holder
Payment of consideration for licence
- Pay licence consideration to the Minister on time Licence Holder
Commencement, abandonment and plugging of Wells
- Obtain consent before drilling or abandoning wells and plug to approved standards Licence Holder
Avoidance of harmful methods of working
- Maintain equipment and prevent oil leaks and waste Licence Holder
Payment of consideration for Licence
- Pay the agreed consideration for your petroleum licence Licence Holder
Measurement of Petroleum obtained from the Licensed Area
- Measure petroleum using approved methods and maintain measurement systems Licence Holder
Keeping of accounts
- Keep and submit accounts of petroleum production Licence Holder
Working obligations
- Carry out work programme and comply with exploration programme notices Licence Holder
Development and production programmes
- Submit development and production programmes for NSTA approval before starting works Licence Holder
Provisions supplementary to clause 14
- Comply with conditions on development and production consents and approvals Licence Holder
Commencement and abandonment and plugging of Wells
- Obtain written consent before drilling, abandoning or plugging wells Licence Holder
Distance of Wells from boundaries of Licensed Area
- Keep wells at least 125 metres from licence boundary Licence Holder
Control of Development Wells
- Get Minister's written consent before suspending, resuming, or completing development wells Licence Holder
Provision of storage tanks, pipes, pipelines or other receptacles
- Use good oilfield practice to confine petroleum in proper receptacles Licence Holder
Avoidance of harmful methods of working
- Maintain wells and equipment, prevent pollution and control gas flaring Licence Holder
Appointment of operators
- Appoint only an approved person as operator Licence Holder
Fishing and navigation
- Do not unjustifiably interfere with navigation, fishing, or marine conservation Licence Holder
Training
- Comply with Minister's training instructions and provide training information Licence Holder
Unit development
- Cooperate in unit development of oil fields crossing licence boundaries Licence Holder
Directions as to Oil Fields across boundaries
- Comply with Minister's directions for cross-boundary oil field development Licence Holder
Licensee to keep records
- Keep accurate records of wells and geological data Licence Holder
Returns
- Submit quarterly and annual returns to the NSTA on your petroleum operations Licence Holder
Licensee to keep samples
- Label and preserve well samples for 5 years and notify NSTA before disposal Licence Holder
Reports to be treated as confidential
- Supply required data under your petroleum licence at your own cost Licence Holder
Inspection of records etc.
- Allow Crown-appointed inspectors to access and copy your records Licence Holder
Indemnity against third party claims
- Keep the Minister fully indemnified against third-party claims Licence Holder
Advertisements, prospectuses etc.
- Do not claim government opinion on petroleum presence Licence Holder
Restrictions on assignment, etc.
- Obtain Minister's consent before assigning licence rights or future petroleum agreements Licence Holder
Change in control of Licensee
- Obtain OGA consent before any change in control of the licensee company Licence Holder
Arbitration
- Refer disputes with the Minister to arbitration and continue Development Scheme during arbitration Licence Holder
Option to continue Licence into a Second Term
- Option to continue licence into second term Licence Holder
Ministry of Defence
- Notify MoD of installation movements and seismic surveys; fit sonar beacons Licence Holder
Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs/Scottish Executive
- Appoint a fisheries liaison officer and coordinate with fishing industry Licence Holder
Option to Continue Licence into a Third Term
- Give notice to continue licence into third term and surrender required area Licence Holder
Provision of contact details to Minister
- Provide your contact details to the Minister for official notices Licence Holder
Provision of contact details to Minister
- Provide and update contact details for official notices Licence Holder
Payment of consideration for Licence
- Pay consideration for the licence Licence Holder
Measurement of Petroleum obtained from the Licensed Area
- Measure all petroleum extracted from your licensed area Licence Holder
Keeping of accounts
- Keep accounts of petroleum won and saved and submit abstracts to NSTA Licence Holder
Working obligations
- Complete work programme before end of Second Term Licence Holder
Development and production programmes
- Obtain NSTA approval for development and production programmes before starting works Licence Holder
Provisions supplementary to clause 15
- Comply with conditions on approvals and consents under your petroleum licence Licence Holder
Commencement and abandonment and plugging of Wells
- Obtain written consent from the Minister before drilling, recommencing, or abandoning any well Licence Holder
Control of Development Wells
- Get Minister's consent before suspending, resuming or completing development wells Licence Holder
Provision of storage tanks, pipes, pipelines or other receptacles
- Use good oilfield practice to confine petroleum in proper receptacles Licence Holder
Avoidance of harmful methods of working
- Take all steps to control petroleum flow, prevent escape/waste, and use good oilfield practice Licence Holder
Appointment of operators
- Ensure only Minister-approved persons organise or supervise petroleum operations Licence Holder
Fishing and navigation
- Do not unjustifiably interfere with navigation, fishing or marine conservation Licence Holder
Training
- Comply with Minister's written training instructions for petroleum activities Licence Holder
Unit development
- Cooperate with unit development scheme if required by the NSTA Licence Holder
Directions as to Oil Fields across boundaries
- Comply with directions for cross-boundary oil fields Licence Holder
Licensee to keep records
- Keep accurate well records, geological plans and maps and provide copies on request Licence Holder
Returns
- Submit quarterly and annual operational returns and respond to information requests Licence Holder
Licensee to keep samples
- Preserve well samples for 5 years and notify NSTA before disposal Licence Holder
Reports to be treated as confidential
- Supply required data at your own expense under petroleum licence Licence Holder
Inspection of records etc.
- Allow inspection of records and provide assistance to Crown-appointed inspectors Licence Holder
Indemnity against third party claims
- Indemnify the government against third-party claims Licence Holder
Advertisements, prospectuses etc.
- Do not claim the government has endorsed petroleum prospects in your licence area Licence Holder
Restrictions on assignment, etc.
- Do not transfer licence rights or enter into certain agreements without NSTA consent Licence Holder
Change in control of Licensee
- Obtain NSTA consent before changing control of a licensee company Licence Holder
Option to continue Licence into a Second Term
- Give notice to NSTA to extend your petroleum licence into a second term Licence Holder
Arbitration
- Continue complying with Development Scheme during arbitration Licence Holder
Ministry of Defence
- Notify Ministry of Defence of installation movements and seismic surveys; install sonar beacons on temporary structures Licence Holder
Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs/Scottish Executive
- Appoint fisheries liaison officer and manage fishing industry relations Licence Holder
Option to Continue Licence into a Third Term
- Give notice to continue petroleum licence into third term and surrender part of licensed area Licence Holder
Measurement of Petroleum obtained from the Licensed Area
- Measure and weigh petroleum production using approved methods Licence Holder
Keeping of accounts
- Keep detailed accounts of petroleum won, saved and supplied Licence Holder
Working obligations
- Carry out work programme and submit exploration programme when required Licence Holder
Development and production programmes
- Submit and follow approved development and production programmes Licence Holder
Provisions supplementary to clause 13
- Comply with conditions on Minister's consents and programmes Licence Holder
Commencement and abandonment and plugging of Wells
- Get written consent before drilling, abandoning, or plugging wells Licence Holder
Distance of Wells from boundaries of Licensed Area
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Keep wells at least 125 metres from licensed area boundaries Crown / Minister / Government department
Control of Development Wells
- Obtain Minister's consent before suspending, resuming or completing development wells Licence Holder
Avoidance of harmful methods of working
- Maintain equipment and operations to prevent pollution and waste Licence Holder
Appointment of operators
- Only use approved operators for organising or supervising petroleum operations Licence Holder
Training
- Comply with Minister's training instructions and provide training information Licence Holder
Unit development
- Cooperate in unit development scheme preparation when directed by the Minister Licence Holder
Directions as to Oil Fields across boundaries
- Comply with Minister's directions on cross-boundary oil fields Licence Holder
Licensee to keep records
- Keep accurate drilling records and deliver them to the NSTA on request Licence Holder
Returns
- Submit regular returns and information to the NSTA Licence Holder
Licensee to keep samples
- Preserve and manage well samples for five years Licence Holder
Inspection of records etc.
- Permit inspection of records and provide assistance to Crown inspectors Licence Holder
Advertisements, prospectuses etc.
- Do not falsely imply government endorses petroleum prospects Licence Holder
Restrictions on assignment, etc.
- Get NSTA consent before transferring licence rights or entering certain agreements Licence Holder
Change in control of Licensee
- Get NSTA consent before any change of control of the company Licence Holder
Arbitration
- Comply with development scheme terms during arbitration Licence Holder
Ministry of Defence
- Notify MoD of installation movements and seismic surveys, and fit sonar beacons Licence Holder
Option to continue Licence into a Second Term
- Give notice to NSTA to continue your petroleum licence into the second term Licence Holder
Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs/Scottish Executive
- Appoint a fisheries liaison officer and manage fishing industry relations Licence Holder
Provision of contact details to Minister
- Provide contact details for official notices to the Minister Licence Holder
Payment of consideration for Licence
- Pay consideration for petroleum licence as per Schedule 2 Licence Holder
Measurement of Petroleum obtained from the Licensed Area
- Measure and weigh petroleum accurately using approved methods Licence Holder
Keeping of accounts
- Keep detailed accounts of petroleum production and sales and submit regular abstracts to the Minister Licence Holder
Working obligations
- Carry out work programme and comply with exploration notices Licence Holder
Development and production programmes
- Obtain approved development programme before producing petroleum Licence Holder
Provisions supplementary to clause 13
- Comply with conditions attached to development programme approvals Licence Holder
Commencement and abandonment and plugging of Wells
- Get written consent from NSTA before drilling or abandoning any well Licence Holder
Distance of Wells from boundaries of Licensed Area
- Obtain written consent before drilling within 125 metres of licensed area boundary Licence Holder
Control of Development Wells
- Obtain Minister's consent before suspending, resuming or completing development wells Licence Holder
Provision of storage tanks, pipes, pipelines or other receptacles
- Use good oilfield practice to contain petroleum in proper storage Licence Holder
Avoidance of harmful methods of working
- Avoid harmful methods of working in petroleum operations Licence Holder
Appointment of operators
- Ensure only approved persons organise or supervise petroleum operations Licence Holder
Fishing and navigation
- Do not unjustifiably interfere with navigation, fishing or conservation Licence Holder
Training
- Comply with training instructions from the Minister and provide training information Licence Holder
Unit development
- Cooperate in unit development of shared oil field if required Licence Holder
Licensee to keep records
- Keep accurate records of well activities and geological data Licence Holder
Returns
- Submit annual returns and respond to information requests Licence Holder
Licensee to keep samples
- Label and preserve well samples for five years Licence Holder
Reports to be treated as confidential
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must keep licensee's data confidential for 4 years Crown / Minister / Government department
Inspection of records, etc.
- Allow government inspectors to inspect and copy your records Licence Holder
Indemnity against third party claims
- Indemnify the Minister against third party claims Licence Holder
Advertisements, prospectuses, etc.
- Do not make statements implying government endorsement of your licence area's petroleum prospects Licence Holder
Restrictions on assignment, etc.
- Obtain NSTA consent before transferring licence rights or entering certain petroleum agreements Licence Holder
Change in control of Licensee
- Get OGA consent before changing control of a licensee company Licence Holder
Arbitration
- Continue complying with Development Scheme during arbitration Licence Holder
Provision of contact details to Minister
- Provide and update contact details for receiving official notices Licence Holder
Payment of consideration for Licence
- Pay consideration for the petroleum licence as per Schedule 2 Licence Holder
Browse 76 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Interpretation
Fishing and navigation
Reports to be treated as confidential
Rights of access
Power to execute works
Grant of Licence
Power of revocation
Power of partial revocation
Arbitration
Prospecting methods
Term of licence
Right of Licensee to determine licence
Distance of Wells from boundaries of Exploration Area
Interpretation, etc
Grant of Licence
Term of Licence
Rights of access
Power to execute works
Right of distress
Diligence
Power of revocation
Power of partial revocation
Option to continue the Licence after the Third Term
Power further to extend term of Licence
Right of Licensee to determine Licence or surrender part of Licensed Area
Areas surrendered
Interpretation, etc.
Areas surrendered
Distance of Wells from boundaries of Licensed Area
Grant of Licence
Term of Licence
Rights of access
Power to execute works
Right of distress
Diligence
Power of revocation
Power of partial revocation
Expiry of the Licence on Failure to Complete Certain Work
Option to continue the Licence after the Third Term
Power further to extend term of Licence
Right of Licensee to determine Licence or surrender part of Licensed Area
Interpretation, etc.
Provision of storage tanks, pipes, pipelines or other receptacles
Grant of Licence
Fishing and navigation
Reports to be treated as confidential
Term of Licence
Rights of access
Power to execute works
Right of distress
Diligence
Indemnity against third party claims
Power of revocation
Power of partial revocation
Option to continue the Licence after the Second Term
Power further to extend term of Licence
Right of Licensee to determine Licence or surrender part of Licensed Area
Areas surrendered
After paragraph (1) of model clause 3 in Schedule 4...
For references to “the Work Programme” in model clauses 4(2)(b)...
Interpretation
Right to search and bore for and get Petroleum
Rights of access
Term of Licence
Power to execute works
Right of distress
Diligence
Power of revocation
Power of partial revocation
Option to continue Licence as to part of the Licensed Area
Continuance of Licence after the Second Term
Power further to extend term of Licence
Right of Licensee to determine Licence or surrender part of Licensed Area
Consequences of determination or surrender by Licensee
After paragraph (1) of model clause 3 in Schedule 6...
For references to “the Work Programme” in model clauses 4(1)(b)...
Browse 3 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and Commencement
Interpretation
Model Clauses
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
North Sea Transition Authority
Licenses and regulates the UK oil and gas, offshore hydrogen, and carbon storage industries. Issues petroleum production licences and CO2 storage licences. …
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