Consent for geological surveys U.K.

[F1 4.— (1) In so far as they relate to oil and gas activities, the following activities or procedures shall not be carried out in a relevant area without the prior written consent of the Secretary of State—

(a) prospecting or carrying out geological surveys by physical or chemical means;

(b) drilling for the purpose of obtaining geological information about strata; or

(c) testing the surveying or drilling equipment to be used in the activities or procedures falling within (a) or (b).

(2) Paragraph (1) above shall apply notwithstanding any provision in any Petroleum Act licence.

(3) For the purposes of regulations 5 and 7 below, “consent” means—

(a) a consent granted pursuant to paragraph (1) above; or

(b) a consent granted pursuant to a Petroleum Act licence, including any consent required pursuant to the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 [F2 or the Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Unloading and Storage (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2020].]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 4 substituted (18.2.2007) by The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/77), regs. 1, 2(4)

F2 Words in reg. 4(3)(b) inserted (31.12.2020 immediately before 11 p.m.) by The Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Unloading and Storage (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1497), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1 (with reg. 1(2)-(6), 20)