Deposit of Stabilisation and Protection Materials

• Petroleum Act, 1998
• Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipelines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999
• Offshore Production and Pipelines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) (Amendment) Regulations 2007
• Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA)

The deposit of stabilisation or protection materials, such as jack-up rig stabilisation / anti-scour deposits, or pipeline protection / free-span correction deposits, must be the subject of a direction under the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipelines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (as amended). Some of these deposits were previously authorised under the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985, Part II Deposits in the Sea, but legal advice is that this was inappropriate and all deposits in connection with the exploration and exploitation of offshore oil and gas should be regulated under the Petroleum Act 1998 and/or the related environmental regulations.

However, deposits relating to decommissioning or abandonment operations and some pipelay operations do not qualify for the exemption and will now require a licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act and Marine Scotland Act (see Decommissioning Deposits and Pipeline Stabilisation as appropriate).

• DECC Note on Deposit of Stabilisation and Protection Materials (new replacement guidance pending)

Deposits related to drilling, pipeline, production and intervention operations - Consent under the Petroleum Act 1998.

Deposits relating to decommissioning or abandonment operations - MSAA licence (see Decommissioning Deposits)

Applications should be made as follows:

• Deposits required for drilling operations (e.g. spud can stabilisation) - include in PON15B application;
• Deposits required for pipeline operations - include in PWA and PON15C application (see Pipeline Stabilisation);
• Deposits required for intervention operations - include in PON15F application;
• Deposits required for production operations (e.g. FPSO anchor stabilisation) - include in PON15D application (see DECC Note for further information on production operations).

If a requirement to deposit materials arises following issue of the relevant Direction, the operator can seek a direction for the deposits by varying the exising PON15 application. In both cases, the operator also has the option of submitting a stand-alone PON15 application (with the exception of production operations).

PON15s must be submitted electronically to DECC via the UK Oil Portal. Operators will need to be registered with DECC for access to the Portal.

To set up a UK Oil Portal Account, contact the DECC OED Environmental Management Team at ukop@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Any problems with PON15 submission contact the DECC OED EMT by email at emt@decc.gsi.gov.uk

PON15 applications must be made at least 28 days before operation commences. However, if also seeking a direction that an ES is not required, additional time should be allowed.

The licensing authority may require that the deposited material be removed upon job completion. However, conditions are attached on a case-by-case basis.

None

Where a direction is issued for the deposit of stabilisation or protection materials, DECC requires operators to complete a return form, 'Deposit of Stabilisation / Protection Materials' using the Excel Spreadsheet provided by DECC.

This will enable the Department to collate information on all future deposits, which will be particularly relevant in relation to our assessments of potential impacts on protected habitats and species.

A Nil Return must be provided where no deposits have been made.

Following completion of material deposit operations.

No work should commence for which consent is required under the Petroleum Act 1998 as to do so may constitute an offence under the Act.

None known at present

None