Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/body/enacted
Timestamp: 2018-04-25 08:17:32
Document Index: 529349486

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 1', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 8', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'ART 2', 'ART 3', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'ART 5']

PART 1The OGA
1The OGA
(1)The company originally incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 as the Oil and Gas Authority Limited is renamed as the Oil and Gas Authority.
(2)In relation to any of its functions—
(a)the Oil and Gas Authority is not to be regarded as acting on behalf of the Crown, and
(3)The Oil and Gas Authority is exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the use of “limited” as part of its name.
(4)In this Act “the OGA” means the Oil and Gas Authority.
2Transfer of functions to the OGA
(1)Schedule 1 transfers certain functions of the Secretary of State to the OGA.
(a)for the transfer to the OGA of any relevant functions exercisable by a Minister of the Crown, or
(b)for any such functions that are to be transferred to the Scottish Ministers or the Welsh Ministers to be exercisable by the OGA until the transfer to those Ministers takes effect.
(3)The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of, or in connection with, any provision contained in—
(a)Schedule 1, or
(b)regulations under subsection (2).
(4)The provision that may be made under subsection (3) includes provision—
(a)amending, repealing or revoking any enactment,
(b)amending any relevant authorisation (including any model clause incorporated, or having effect as if incorporated, in it) granted or given before the date when the regulations take effect,
(c)for anything done by or in relation to a Minister of the Crown in connection with any functions transferred to be treated as done, or to be continued, by or in relation to the OGA, and
(d)about the continuation of legal proceedings.
(5)Regulations under this section may not provide for the transfer to, or exercise by, the OGA of any power to legislate by means of orders, rules, regulations or other subordinate instrument.
(6)In this section and section 3—
“enactment” includes an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation, within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978;
“Minister of the Crown” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975, and includes such Ministers acting jointly;
a licence, authorisation or notice granted or given by a Minister of the Crown in the exercise of a relevant function, or
a licence granted under section 2 of the Petroleum (Production) Act 1934 (searching for and getting petroleum);
“relevant function” means a function conferred by or under—
Schedule 1 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975,
the Petroleum Act 1998 (except Part 4),
Chapter 2 or 3 of Part 1 of the Energy Act 2008,
Part 8 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010,
Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Energy Act 2011,
the Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1434),
any regulations amended or modified by the Energy Act 2008 (Consequential Modifications) (Offshore Environmental Protection) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1513),
the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Licensing etc) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2221),
the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Termination of Licences) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1483),
the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2305), or
any other enactment that relates to matters similar to those to which an enactment mentioned in any of the preceding paragraphs relates.
4Transfer of staff to the OGA
(1)The Secretary of State may make one or more transfer schemes under which persons who hold employment in the civil service of the State become employees of the OGA (but this is subject to any provision contained in the scheme that allows a person to object to becoming an employee of the OGA).
(2)A scheme made under this section—
(a)may make provision for giving full effect for a person’s transfer into the employment of the OGA as a result of the scheme, and
(b)may (in particular) include provision that is the same as, or similar to, the provision made by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246) (whether or not those regulations would otherwise apply in relation to the transfer).
5Transfer schemes: supplementary
(1)A scheme made under section 3 or 4 may—
(a)contain incidental, supplementary and consequential provision;
(2)Subject to subsection (3), the Secretary of State may modify a scheme made under section 3 or 4.
11Power of Secretary of State to require information and samples
(1)The Secretary of State may require the OGA to provide the Secretary of State with such information or samples held by or on behalf of the OGA as the Secretary of State may require for the purpose of—
(a)carrying out any function conferred by or under any Act,
(b)monitoring the OGA’s performance of its functions, or
(c)any Parliamentary proceedings.
(a)references to “protected material” are references to information or samples acquired by the Secretary of State under subsection (1), and
(b)references to disclosing protected material include references to making the protected material available to other persons (in a case where the protected material includes samples).
(3)The Secretary of State may use protected material only for the purpose for which it is provided.
(4)Protected material must not be disclosed—
(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), “subsequent holder”, in relation to protected material, means a person who receives protected material directly or indirectly from the Secretary of State by virtue of a disclosure, or disclosures, in accordance with this section.
(6)Subsection (4) does not prohibit the Secretary of State from disclosing protected material so far as necessary for the purpose for which it was provided.
(7)Subsection (4) does not prohibit a disclosure of protected material if—
(a)the disclosure is required by virtue of an obligation imposed by or under any Act, or
(b)the OGA consents to the disclosure and, in a case where the protected material in question was provided to the OGA by or on behalf of another person, confirms that that person also consents to the disclosure.
16Review of OGA and guidance from Secretary of State
(1)The Secretary of State must review the OGA’s performance for each review period.
(2)The first review period—
(a)begins with the day on which section 1 comes into force, and
(b)ends at the end of the period of three years beginning with that day, or on such earlier day as the Secretary of State may determine.
(3)Subsequent review periods—
(a)begin with the day (“the first day”) after the last day of the preceding review period,
(b)end at the end of the period of three years beginning with the first day, or on such earlier day as the Secretary of State may determine.
(a)assess how effective the OGA has been in exercising its functions, and
(b)consider the OGA’s functions under—
(i)Part 2, and
(ii)Chapter 3 of Part 1 of the Energy Act 2008 (storage of carbon dioxide),
with regard to their fitness for purpose and scope.
(5)As soon as practicable after a review period, the Secretary of State must—
(6)As a result of the findings of a review, the Secretary of State may give guidance to the OGA about any matter relating to the OGA’s functions.
(7)The OGA must take account of any such guidance in carrying out its functions.
(8)For the purposes of this section “function” does not include any function which the OGA is authorised to exercise by virtue of—
PART 2Further functions of the OGA relating to offshore petroleum
CHAPTER 2Disputes
19Qualifying disputes and relevant parties
(1)For the purposes of this Chapter, a dispute is a qualifying dispute if—
(a)the dispute relates to qualifying issues, and
(b)the parties to the dispute include at least one relevant party.
(2)In this Chapter, “qualifying issues” means issues which—
and are not the subject of a section 82 application.
(3)If a dispute relates in part to qualifying issues and in part to other issues, the dispute is a qualifying dispute only to the extent that it relates to the qualifying issues.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (2), an issue is the subject of a section 82 application if—
(a)an application has been made under section 82(4) of the Energy Act 2011 (acquisition of rights to use upstream petroleum infrastructure) in connection with the issue, and
(b)the OGA has made a decision under section 82(6)(a)(iii) of that Act to consider the application further.
(5)In this Chapter “relevant party” to a dispute means a party to the dispute who is a relevant person.
24Power of the OGA to acquire information
(1)The OGA may require a relevant party to a dispute to provide it with such information as may be required by the OGA for the purposes of—
(a)deciding whether to reject, adjourn or accept a reference of the dispute under section 21(1),
(b)setting a timetable in respect of an adjournment of a reference of the dispute under section 21(5),
(c)assessing progress of further negotiations during such an adjournment,
(d)making a decision under section 22(1) to consider the dispute on its own initiative, or
(e)considering the dispute and making a recommendation under section 23(2),
(2)A person required to provide information under subsection (1) must provide it in such manner and within such reasonable period as may be specified by the OGA in the request for information.
(4)Requirements imposed under this section are sanctionable in accordance with Chapter 5.
26Appeals against decisions of the OGA: disputes
The setting of a timetable under section 21(5)(a). The timetable is unreasonable.
The giving of directions under section 21(5)(b). A direction, or a number of directions taken together, are unreasonable.
The giving of directions under section 23(3)(b). A direction, or a number of directions taken together, are unreasonable.
The imposition of a requirement to provide information under section 24(1).
the information requested is not relevant to the dispute in question, or
the period specified under section 24(2) is unreasonable.
The imposition of a requirement under section 25(1) or (2) in relation to attendance at a meeting.
the requirement to attend the meeting is unreasonable,
reasonable notice of the meeting was not given, or
the requirement as to the knowledge and expertise of the person attending the meeting is unreasonable.
CHAPTER 5Sanctions
49Duty of OGA to give sanction warning notices
(1)This section applies where the OGA proposes to give a sanction notice in respect of a failure to comply with a petroleum-related requirement.
(2)The OGA must give a sanction warning notice in respect of the petroleum-related requirement to—
(a)the person or persons to whom it proposes to give a sanction notice, and
(b)where it proposes to give an operator removal notice, the relevant licensee (see section 48(3)(c)).
(3)A sanction warning notice, in respect of a petroleum-related requirement, is a notice which—
(a)specifies the petroleum-related requirement,
(b)informs the person or persons to whom it is given that the OGA proposes to give a sanction notice in respect of a failure to comply with the requirement,
(c)gives details of the failure to comply with the petroleum-related requirement,
(d)informs the person or persons to whom it is given that the person or persons may, within the period specified in the notice (“the representations period”), make representations to the OGA in relation to the matters dealt with in the notice.
(4)The representations period is to be such period as the OGA considers appropriate in the circumstances.
(5)Subsections (6) and (7) apply where the OGA gives a sanction warning notice to a person or persons in respect of a petroleum-related requirement.
(6)The OGA must not give a sanction notice to the person or persons in respect of a failure to comply with the requirement until after the end of the representations period specified in the sanction warning notice.
(7)Having regard to representations made during the representations period specified in the sanction warning notice, the OGA may decide—
(a)to give the person or persons a sanction notice in respect of the failure to comply with the requirement detailed in the sanction warning notice under subsection (3)(c),
(b)to give the person or persons a sanction notice in respect of a failure to comply with the requirement which differs from the failure detailed in the sanction warning notice under subsection (3)(c), or
(c)not to give the person or persons a sanction notice in respect of a failure to comply with the requirement.
54Subsequent sanction notices
(1)This section applies where the OGA gives a sanction notice in respect of a particular failure to comply with a petroleum-related requirement (whether the notice is given alone or at the same time as another type of sanction notice).
(2)If the sanction notice given is a revocation notice or an operator removal notice, no further sanction notices may be given in respect of the failure to comply.
(3)If the sanction notice given is a financial penalty notice which does not require compliance with the petroleum-related requirement, no further sanction notices may be given in respect of the failure to comply.
(4)Subsection (5) applies if the sanction notice given is—
(a)an enforcement notice, or
(b)a financial penalty notice which requires compliance with the petroleum-related requirement.
(5)No further sanction notices may be given in respect of the failure to comply before the end of the period specified under section 43(2)(c) or 44(2)(c)(i), as the case may be (period for compliance with petroleum-related requirement).
56Alternative means of enforcement
(1)Where the OGA gives a sanction notice to an offshore licensee in respect of a failure to comply with a petroleum-related requirement, the matter is to be dealt with in accordance with this Chapter.
(2)Any requirement under the licensee’s licence to deal with the matter in a certain way (including by arbitration) does not apply in respect of that failure to comply.
57Sanctions: information powers
(1)This section applies for the purposes of an investigation by the OGA which—
(a)concerns whether a person has failed to comply with a petroleum-related requirement, and
(b)is carried out for the purpose of enabling the OGA to decide whether to give the person a sanction notice, or on what terms a sanction notice should be given to the person.
(2)The OGA may by notice in writing, for the purposes of that investigation, require the person to provide specified documents or other information.
(3)A requirement under subsection (2) only applies to the extent that the documents or information requested are—
(a)documents that are in the person’s possession or control, or
(b)other information that is in the person’s possession or control.
(4)A requirement imposed by a notice under subsection (2) is sanctionable in accordance with this Chapter.
(5)The documents or information requested—
(a)may include documents or information held in any form (including in electronic form);
(b)may include documents or information that may be regarded as commercially sensitive;
(c)may not include items that are subject to legal privilege.
(c)when it is to be provided;
(7)In this section, “specified” in a notice, means specified, or of a description specified, in the notice.
58Appeals against information requests
(1)A person to whom a notice is given under section 57 may appeal against it to the Tribunal on the grounds that—
(a)the giving of the notice is not within the powers of the OGA, or
(b)the length of time given to comply with the notice is unreasonable.
(a)confirm, vary or cancel the notice, or
(b)remit the matter under appeal to the OGA for reconsideration with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate.
60Sanctions: interpretation
“operator under a petroleum licence” has the meaning given in section 48(9);
“petroleum-related requirement” has the meaning given in section 42(3);
“sanction notice” has the meaning given in section 42(4).
PART 3Infrastructure and Information
70Requirements to provide information
(1)The Energy Act 2011 is amended as follows.
(2)In section 87 (powers to require information), after subsection (5) insert—
“(5A)A notice under subsection (1), (2) or (3) that imposes a requirement on a person must specify when the requirement is to be complied with.”
“87AAppeals against requirements to provide information
(1)Any person on whom a requirement is imposed by a notice under section 87(1), (2) or (3) may appeal against the notice to the Tribunal on the grounds that—
(a)the information required by the notice is not relevant to the exercise by the OGA of its functions under this Chapter, or
(3)In this section “the Tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal.
87BSanctions for failure to provide information
(1)A requirement imposed by a notice under section 87(1), (2) or (3) is to be treated for the purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the Energy Act 2016 (power of the OGA to impose sanctions) as a petroleum-related requirement.
(2)But the OGA may not give a revocation notice or an operator removal notice under that Chapter by virtue of this section.”
71Applications to use infrastructure: changes of applicant and owner
(2)In section 82(13) (contents of notice securing rights to use infrastructure), omit paragraph (b).
(3)In section 87(6) (circumstances in which information may be disclosed)—
(c)the disclosure is made under section 89A or 89B.”
(4)After section 89 insert—
“89AAssignments and assignations of applications
(a)there is an assignment or assignation of an application made under section 82 from one person (“A”) to another (“B”), and
(b)the following are notified of the assignment or assignation—
(i)the owner of the pipeline or facility that is the subject of the application, and
(ii)the OGA.
(2)A notice under subsection (1)(b) must—
(b)specify the date of the assignment or assignation.
(3)For the purposes of this Chapter, anything done (or treated as done) by or in relation to A in connection with the application is treated after the assignment or assignation as having been done by or in relation to B.
This subsection is subject to subsections (4) and (5) and does not apply for the purposes of subsections (6) and (7).
(4)Any provision of this Chapter that requires the OGA to give the applicant an opportunity to be heard has effect after the assignment or assignation as requiring the OGA to give B an opportunity to be heard (whether or not the applicant was heard under that provision before the assignment or assignation).
(5)Subsection (3) does not apply in relation to any notice given under section 87 before the assignment or assignation (and, accordingly, the person to whom the notice was given remains under an obligation to comply with it).
(6)Any information relating to the application obtained by the OGA before the assignment or assignation from any person who at the time was the applicant may be disclosed to B.
(7)Before disclosing any such information to B, the OGA must remove any information which the OGA considers may prejudice the commercial interests of the person from whom the information was obtained.
89BTransfers of ownership
(1)This section applies where the ownership of a pipeline or facility that is the subject of an application under section 82, or to which a notice under subsection (11) of that section relates, is transferred from one person (“C”) to another (“D”).
(a)anything done (or treated as done) by or in relation to C in connection with C’s ownership of the pipeline or facility is treated after the transfer as having been done by or in relation to D, and
(b)any obligations imposed or rights conferred (or treated as imposed or conferred) by or under this Chapter on C in connection with C’s ownership of the pipeline or facility are treated after the transfer as imposed or conferred on D.
This subsection is subject to subsections (3) and (4) and does not apply for the purposes of subsections (5) and (6).
(3)Any provision of this Chapter that requires the OGA to give the owner of the pipeline or facility an opportunity to be heard has effect after the transfer as requiring the OGA to give D an opportunity to be heard (whether or not the owner was heard under that provision before the transfer).
(4)Subsection (2) does not affect the obligation to comply with any notice given under section 87 before the transfer (and, accordingly, the person to whom the notice was given remains under an obligation to comply with it).
(5)Any information relating to the application obtained by the OGA before the transfer from any person who at the time was the owner may be disclosed to D.
(6)Before disclosing any such information to D, the OGA must remove any information which the OGA considers may prejudice the commercial interests of the person from whom the information was obtained.”
74Part 1A of the Petroleum Act 1998: Northern Ireland
75International oil and gas agreements: information exchange
(a)there is a treaty or agreement in force between the government of the United Kingdom and the government of a territory outside the United Kingdom (“the overseas territory”) concerning cooperation in relation to oil and gas activities, and
(b)the treaty or agreement includes arrangements for the exchange of information between the two governments (“information exchange arrangements”).
(2)If it appears to the Secretary of State that adequate safeguards are in place, information held by the Secretary of State may be disclosed so far as the Secretary of State considers necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the treaty or agreement in question.
(3)If it appears to the OGA that adequate safeguards are in place, information held by the OGA may be disclosed so far as the OGA considers necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the treaty or agreement in question.
(4)For the purposes of this section adequate safeguards are in place if the information exchange arrangements and the law in force in the overseas territory are such as to ensure that information disclosed to the government of the overseas territory under this section may be disclosed by that government only—
(a)with the consent of the government of the United Kingdom, or
(b)so far as necessary for the purpose of preparing and publishing reports of a general nature.
(5)References in this section to the OGA are to the OGA acting as a representative of the government of the United Kingdom for the purposes of the agreement with the overseas territory.
77Validation of fees charged
(1)A fee charged by the Secretary of State at any time before the date on which this Act is passed (“the relevant time”) is taken to have been lawfully charged if the condition in subsection (2) is met.
(2)The condition is that the fee was charged in connection with carrying out functions under any of the provisions listed in subsection (3), as the provision in question had effect at the relevant time.
(a)Part 4A of the Energy Act 2008 (works detrimental to navigation: oil, gas, carbon dioxide and pipelines);
(b)Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (marine licences), so far as relating to oil and gas activities for which a marine licence under that Part is needed;
(c)the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1056);
(d)the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/360);
(e)the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/1754).
(4)“Oil and gas activities” are activities which relate to operations regulated under any of the provisions listed in subsection (5).
(6)See Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for when a marine licence under that Part is needed for activities.
PART 5Wind power
78Onshore wind generating stations in England and Wales