Written questions, answers and statements

Offshore Industry: Licensing

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Question for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

UIN 44676, tabled on 7 April 2025

Question

Pippa Heylings
Liberal Democrat
South Cambridgeshire
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who approves new oil and gas fields.

Answer

Michael Shanks
Labour
Rutherglen
Commons

Answered on

28 April 2025

The Oil & Gas Authority (operating as the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)) are the licensing authority for offshore oil & gas. The NSTA are also responsible for granting consents and authorisations for subsequent activities (including development consents) under the Petroleum Act 1998. The NSTA requires Secretary of State’s agreement under relevant environmental regulations prior to granting any licence, consent or authorisation.

Answered by

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero