Navigational Interference - Pipelines

• Petroleum Act 1998

Under Section 14 of the Act, no person shall construct or use a pipeline without the prior authorisation of the Secretary of State. Any authorisation may contain such terms as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate, including steps to be taken to avoid or reduce interference by the pipeline with fishing or with other activities.

• Coast Protection Act 1949

Section 34 is still in force (and extended by the Continental Shelf Act 1964) and provides that where obstruction or danger to navigation is likely to result, the prior consent of the Secretary of State is required for the siting of a drilling or production installation or a pipeline, in any part of a designated area of the UKCS. Such consents may be issued subject to conditions the Secretary of State feels appropriate.

• Continental Shelf Act 1964

• UN Convention on the Continental Shelf 1958
• Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA)
• Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004
• Petroleum Licensing (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 2008

• Guidelines for the Completion of Pipeline Works Authorisations. 
• HSE Operations Notice No 3 - Liaison with other bodies
• HSE Operations Notice No 6 - Reporting of offshore installation movements
• HSE Operations Notice No 14 - Consent Guidance on Coast Protection Act 1949 - consent to locate and the marking of offshore installations
• HSE Operations Notice No 54 - Establishment of safety zones for sub-sea installations

A detailed application must be submitted. Guidance notes on what must be included in the application are available in Guidelines for the Completion of Pipeline Works Authorisations.

The same application process also includes consent to deposit materials on the seabed (Depcon) (see Pipeline Stabilisation).

Although some information may still be included in the PWA application, use and discharge of chemicals are now covered under the Offshore Chemicals Regulations 2002 and a separate permit is required (see Pipeline Chemicals).

Guidance notes on consent to locate under the Coast Protection Act 1949 is also available on the DECC website.

A minimum of 4 months before pipeline construction begins. Where there are no objections, it takes approximately four months from receipt of the application to issuing the authorisation. In the case of pipelines for which an Environmental Statement is required, the procedure may take longer (see EIA).

Note: early consultation with fishing interests is recommended.

A detailed application must be submitted. Guidance notes on what must be included in the application are available in Guidelines for the Completion of Pipeline Works Authorisations.

None with respect to navigation/fishing interference.

None with respect to navigation/fishing interference.

It is an offence to contravene the requirements of the Petroleum Act 1998 or to knowingly make false statements. If any work is undertaken in contravention of the Pipeline Works Authorisation, DECC has powers to issue a notice for remediation or removal of the pipeline. 

None at present.