101 UK Brexit Notes

Connemara Programme October 16 2018 pg. 132 Business: Energy: Oil and Gas operations Purpose This notice explains to businesses engaged in energy sector activities (e.g. oil and gas exploration and production operations), and companies obligated under the UK’s Compulsory Stockholding of Oil regime, how these will apply should the UK leave the EU in March 2019 with no agreement in place. This notice covers:  oil and gas licensing  environmental protection relating to relevant energy sectors  oil stocking arrangements Hydrocarbons licensing and environmental protection Before 29 March 2019 Legislation introduced through Parliament in accordance with various Acts sets out the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, Industrial Emissions Directive, the Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive and Oil Stocking Directive on the UK’s energy sector. The relevant legislation and Acts are listed below. Businesses engaged in the sector are required, for instance, to minimise the environmental impact of the offshore oil and gas industry and BEIS also needs to ensure the continued licensing (by the Oil and Gas Authority) of areas to explore and exploit potential oil and gas reserves offshore in the UK Continental Shelf and onshore in England. Onshore oil and gas licensing in Scotland and Northern Ireland is devolved; and the devolution of onshore hydrocarbon licensing to Wales commences on 1 October 2018. After March 2019 if there’s no deal The established regime for hydrocarbon licensing and environmental issues will continue to operate. Implications The government will amend the relevant legislation to ensure broad continuity. The legislative changes will have no impact on energy sector businesses, whose residual obligations under the legislation covered will remain unaltered. Actions for businesses and other stakeholders UK and EU businesses will not be required to take any action. Further information For further information on the government’s legislative regimes (administered by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Energy Development and Resilience Directorate) see the information pages relating t o oil and gas as well as nationally significant energy infrastructure projects . Relevant legislation and Acts:  The Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations 1995 (1995/1434)  The Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (1999/360) (as amended)  The Public Gas Transporter Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 (1999/1672) (as amended)  The Pipe-line Works Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2000 (2000/1928) (as amended)  The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (2000/1927) (as amended)  The Oil Stocking Order 2012  The Offshore Combustion Installations (Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations 2013 (2013/971) (as amended)  The Petroleum Licensing (Applications) Regulations 2015 (2015/766)  The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (2017/580)  Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972  Section 56(1) & (2) of the Finance Act 1973  Section 6(6)(a) and section 17(2) & (3) of the Energy Act 1976