FIELD DEVELOPMENT

An Operator wishing to develop a new field is required to apply for Development

consent. This process is initiated by the submission of a Field Development Plan
(FDP), together with an Environmental Statement (ES) discussing the environmental
impact of the proposed development (see Environment section below).

Operators are advised to contact the Department early in the appraisal stage of a
field. A multi-disciplinary team from the Energy Development Unit will be assigned to
carry forward the technical discussion on the field. The Team Leader is authorised to
take technical decisions on behalf of the Department and to co-ordinate, where
necessary, the Department’s response on policy issues. In most cases there will be
alignment between Department and company objectives, however the Department will
need to be satisfied that the proposed development plan maximises recovery from the
field. It will also endeavour to ensure that, in selecting the preferred option, Licensees
take into account implications for other developments in the area.

The Department has considerable regional technical expertise and this, combined with
an acknowledged facilitation position within the operating community, helps deliver
optimal commercial development. The Department continues to work with the industry
in developing better working practices.

The documentation required for new oil and gas field authorisations is the Field
Development Programme (FDP). This is a summary description of the proposed
development and the principles and objectives, which will govern the field’s
management. The current requirement is that this document is kept brief. It should be
no greater than 15 pages of text and the Department would aim to complete its review
of the final submitted FDP within one month of receipt. Guidance notes on
procedures for regulating oil and gas field developments are available on the DECC
Oil and Gas web site address:
http://www.og.decc.gov.uk/regulation/guidance/index.htm

Safety is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive, a separate

Government body. Safety cases are required to be submitted for all new
installations. Implementation is through the Offshore Installations (Safety Case)
Regulations 2005.

Environmental approval will also be required prior to FDP consent being given.
Operators will, if relevant, be required to submit a PON15 or Environmental Statement
(ES). Guidance on the environmental aspects is also available on the DECC Oil and
Gas web site:
https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/environment/index.htm