Reporting of offshore installation movements

Reporting Offshore Installation Movements

Document Identification: Operations Notice 6 (Rev -4) Publication Date: August 2022 Review Due: May 2029 Target Audience: All stakeholders Internal Reference: 2020/250111 Document Owner: OMAR W/G

Revision History August 2022 HSE does not require notification of rig movement within UKCS waters May 2026 Update to branding and change of email contact address for Maritime and Coast Guard Agency OPRED does not require notification of rig movements within the UKCS waters

Introduction

1. This notice provides guidance for reporting offshore installation movements. It has been revised to take account of legislative changes and contact address details. It should be read in conjunction with the Energy Act 2008, Part 4A Consent to Locate https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-offshore-environmental-legislation#energy-act-2008-part- 4a-consent-to-locate

2. It is essential that the relevant government and commercial bodies are separately advised of the appropriate information. There have previously been examples of inadequate liaison between helicopter operators and installation owners and operators when ensuring that aeronautical communications and navigation aids (NDBs) have been correctly established for new installation operating locations. In addition, there have previously been reports of co-ordinates being notified in a variety of formats. Where a period (.) is used it must only be used as a decimal point and not as a spacer.

3. Use of the standard form, Annex 1 ensures the required information is provided to all relevant parties.

4. Reports, in the form of Annex 1, are required from the operator for movements of a production installation (PI) or the owner (person controlling the operation) for movements of a non-production installation (NPI). Reports are to be sent to the following recipients in the circumstances described:

i) Local Helicopter bases Simultaneously, to the local helicopter bases serving the old and new locations.

ii) MOD Hydrographer and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Notify offshoreenergy.notifications@mcga.gov.uk for aspects a) to e) listed below a) the appropriate Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) must be given warning of movements at least 48 hours before them taking place b) when an installation being established arrives at its intended location (or intermediate position if necessary) c) when a precise position has been established at the new location d) when an installation commences a move to leave UK waters; and e) when an installation has left UK waters

iii) Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

a) notify ED.Offshore.Rigmoves@hse.gov.uk prior to entering or leaving UK Waters

iv) Police Offshore Energies UK has agreed that operators will notify Chief Constables of the location of installations over which they exercise police jurisdiction.

v) Offshore Petroleum Regulator for the Environment and Decommissioning:

a) notify OPRED@energysecurity.gov.uk prior to entering or leaving UK Waters

5. Additional relevant legislation

• Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 Regulation 5 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1995/738/contents/made

• The Energy Act 2008, Part 4A Consent to Locate https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and- gas-offshore-environmental-legislation#energy-act-2008-part-4a-consent-to-locate

• Notification to Chief Constables in accordance with Criminal Jurisdiction (Offshore Activities) Order 1987

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/2198/contents/made • Operation of aeronautical radio stations and NDBs in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority UK AIP 6. Installation operators and owners should also ensure that • liaison with fishing interests is always maintained with the local offices of the fisheries’ departments and, for operations within Territorial Waters, the appropriate Sea Fisheries Committee. • they give at least 14 days’ notice of all seismic activities to the Submarine Controller, HMS Warrior, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3NP so that the necessary warning notices may be issued.

This guidance is issued by the Offshore Major Accident Regulator (OMAR). Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance, you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice.