To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many unplanned hydrocarbon releases at North Sea oil and gas facilities there were in (a) 2021, (b) 2020 and (c) 2019; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
8 November 2022
There were 274, 203 and 244 unplanned releases of oil from North Sea oil and gas facilities reported to the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment & Decommissioning (OPRED), in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. The vast majority were less than 50 litres. Gaseous hydrocarbon releases are reported separately to the Health & Safety Executive.
OPRED undertakes around 100 inspections of offshore installations annually in order to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, which includes the prevention of unplanned releases. OPRED investigates all reported releases and takes enforcement action where appropriate, including issuing financial penalties or referral for prosecution.