Control
Environmental Impact Assessment
Assessment of environmental effects and alternatives.
Documents
- 202510 Dec
Application of oil spill modelling in Environment Plans
Information paper on applying stochastic and deterministic oil spill modelling in offshore petroleum Environment Plans. It discusses input quality, non-mandatory exposure values for four oil phases, environmental consequence evaluation, response resources and monitoring preparedness. It distinguishes combined stochastic boundaries from individual spill footprints and addresses uncertainty and presentation of results.
- 20251 Sep
Acoustic impact evaluation and management information paper
This information paper advises on assessing and managing marine seismic survey effects on environmental receptors. It addresses acoustic source descriptions, sound propagation modelling, biological thresholds, cumulative effects and uncertainty. Guidance covers receptor-specific acceptability, alternative survey methods, fauna detection, model validation and adaptive management, while distinguishing encouraged advice from regulatory requirements.
- 202522 Aug
Petroleum activities and Australian Marine Parks guidance note
Guidance explains environmental assessment, authorisation and consultation requirements for petroleum activities affecting Australian Marine Parks. It addresses park zoning, Director of National Parks consultation, acceptable impacts and ALARP demonstrations, cumulative effects, environmental performance and incident notification. Appended questions clarify class approvals, separate permissions and prior usage rights.
- 202528 Jul
Environment plan content requirements guidance note
Guidance on preparing environment plans for petroleum and greenhouse gas activities submitted to NOPSEMA. It explains environmental descriptions, impact and risk evaluation, acceptable levels and ALARP demonstrations, performance outcomes and standards, implementation systems, monitoring, oil pollution response testing, consultation and incident reporting.
- 202524 Apr
Communication to Industry regarding the HRA process in the National Site Network and Marine Protected Area Network
OPRED explains protected-area assessment and application expectations for offshore operations. It advises at least eight weeks’ advance submission for specified conservation and bird-protection sites, including assessment of cumulative effects. Rig stabilisation and scour protection requirements emphasise recoverable materials, justification of options, minimised rock placement and recovery as far as practicable.
- 202419 Apr
Renewable Energy Modernization Rule
Unofficial prepublication final rule modernising US offshore renewable energy regulation. It addresses leasing, meteorological buoy approvals, deferred geotechnical investigations and financial assurance, alongside independent project verification, commissioning, inspections and safety management reporting. Agency responses explain adopted changes, rejected proposals and continuing environmental review obligations.
- 202424 Jan
Offshore project proposal decision making guideline
Explains NOPSEMA’s two-stage assessment of offshore project proposals: suitability for public comment and subsequent acceptance or refusal. It addresses environmental impact evaluation, performance outcomes, responses to public comments, World Heritage restrictions and administrative decision-making principles. Project-level acceptance enables further environmental planning but does not itself authorise activities.
- 202410 Jan
Australian dispersant acceptance processes information paper
This information paper compares chemical dispersant acceptance for maritime and offshore petroleum spill response in Australian Commonwealth waters. It explains AMSA product registration and incident-specific approval, alongside NOPSEMA acceptance through environment plans. It discusses surface and subsea application, environmental trade-offs, and activity-specific efficacy and toxicity evaluation.
- 202410 Jan
Considerations for five-year environment plan revisions
This information paper advises petroleum titleholders preparing five-year environment plan revisions for long-term offshore activities. It addresses legislative changes, activity scope, subsea maintenance and decommissioning, spill prevention and response, emissions reduction, consultation and environmental monitoring. It explains expectations for demonstrating ALARP, acceptable impacts and measurable environmental performance.
- 202410 Jan
Environment plan decision making guideline
This guideline explains how NOPSEMA assesses environment plans against statutory acceptance criteria. It addresses proportionate environmental assessment, supported arguments for reducing impacts and risks, acceptable levels, performance monitoring, implementation strategies and consultation. It also outlines administrative decision-making principles and restrictions concerning protected places and threatened species.
- 202410 Jan
Making public comment on offshore project proposals information paper
Explains public participation in NOPSEMA’s environmental assessment of offshore project proposals. Covers submission channels, deadlines, supported objections and claims, and information outside regulatory decision-making criteria. Describes proponents’ responses, NOPSEMA’s subsequent assessment, publication of accepted proposals and consultation reports, and privacy arrangements for commenters.
- 202410 Jan
Offshore project proposal content requirements guidance note
NOPSEMA guidance explains content requirements for offshore petroleum project proposals, including project descriptions, alternatives analysis, cumulative environmental effects and acceptable impact levels. It addresses decommissioning, environmental performance outcomes, mandatory public comment and acceptance criteria, linking whole-project authorisation to subsequent activity environment plans and their monitoring requirements.
- 202410 Jan
Operational and scientific monitoring programs information paper
Information paper on designing and implementing monitoring after offshore petroleum spills, with emphasis on scientific assessment and environmental baselines. It addresses impact and reference sites, indicator selection, contaminant bioavailability, statistical design, analytical quality assurance, mobilisation readiness and monitoring triggers. Appendices examine ecological receptors, toxicity testing and source fingerprinting.
- 202317 Aug
Offshore Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Guidance
Explains pollution prevention and control requirements for offshore combustion installations, distinguishing installation and plant classifications, aggregation rules and exemptions. Covers permit applications and variations, best available techniques, emission limits, dispersion modelling, monitoring and annual reporting. Appendices provide assessment flowcharts and methods for analysing combustion plant loads and thermal efficiency.
- 2023May
SAC Noise Management Working Group Communications (May 2023)
A regulator update on managing underwater noise in harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation. It describes low-order unexploded ordnance disposal, licensing coordination, offshore wind piling standards and improvements to the Marine Noise Registry. Workshop proposals and voluntary activity forecasts seek to improve disturbance assessments and coordination between developers.
- 2023
Ren Split Rule 2023
Unofficial pre-publication text of a joint final rule transferring offshore renewable-energy safety, environmental oversight and enforcement regulations from BOEM to BSEE without changing substantive requirements. It sets out revised regulatory parts, agency responsibilities, facility verification, inspections, environmental reviews, reporting and decommissioning provisions, including alternate uses of existing facilities.
- 202031 Dec
The Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Unloading and Storage (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2020 – A Guide
Explains environmental assessment and consent procedures under the 2020 offshore EIA regulations. Covers screening, environmental statements, baseline surveys, alternatives, cumulative effects, mitigation and public consultation. Provides application requirements for drilling, pipelines and production changes, including PETS submissions, approval variations, reporting and enforcement.
- 2020Oct
CBA Tool User Aid
Offshore-specific guidance supplements the Environment Agency’s cost-benefit analysis user guide for Industrial Emissions Directive derogation applications. It explains scenario inputs, investment and energy costs, nitrogen oxide damage costs, greenhouse gas valuation and qualitative evidence. Operators must provide supporting data, with offshore adjustments to energy pricing and emissions assessment.
- 202020 Aug
ALARP & Acceptable - August 2020
This factsheet explains how NOPSEMA evaluates whether environmental impacts and risks from offshore activities are ALARP and acceptable. It describes reasonable practicability, receptor sensitivity, consultation and continual review of measures. Illustrative well-blowout and seismic-survey scenarios show how dutyholders can justify measures and define acceptable outcomes.
- 201812 Nov
Marine seismic surveys - November 2018
This factsheet explains marine seismic surveying using compressed-air acoustic sources and hydrophone streamers, distinguishing 2D, 3D and repeated 4D methods. It outlines potential effects on marine species, environmental assessment and possible acoustic mitigation measures, alongside NOPSEMA’s assessment of environment plans before proposed surveys can proceed.
- 201817 Aug
Oil spill dispersants at a glance - July 2018
This information sheet explains how chemical dispersants support oil spill response through surface or subsea application. It outlines environmental trade-offs, the need to demonstrate a net environmental benefit, and NOPSEMA’s assessment of oil pollution emergency plans. Timely deployment within the limited effectiveness window is a central planning requirement.
- 2018Aug
Update on Marine Planning in the UK - Guidance Note to Operators - Offshore Oil and Gas Sector Aug 2018
Guidance for offshore oil and gas operators summarises marine planning developments across the UK as at August 2018. It explains how adopted plans should be considered in environmental applications, including proportionate assessment of relevant policies, PETS declarations and supporting information, while distinguishing expectations for draft and non-statutory plans.
- 201628 Jun
Environmental Assessment
Final environmental assessment comparing regulatory alternatives for exploratory drilling in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. It evaluates direct, indirect and cumulative effects of drilling-waste capture, well monitoring, source control, relief rigs and spill preparedness, balancing potential environmental benefits against additional operational disturbance and risks associated with more frequent BOP testing.
- 201630 Mar
Proper application of change management processes
NOPSEMA summarises inspection findings on deficient environmental change management, including unassessed cumulative changes and alterations to performance standards. The alert explains environment-plan revision requirements under Regulation 17 and recommends rigorous environmental assessment, documented consideration of changes, and continued reduction of impacts and risks to acceptable and ALARP levels.
- 201510 Feb
Environmental Assessment
Draft environmental assessment comparing proposed Arctic exploratory drilling rules with alternatives, including no action. It examines pollution prevention, blowout-preventer testing, well monitoring, containment equipment and relief-rig availability in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Analysis considers potential spill consequences, marine wildlife, subsistence practices and additional operational effects.
- 201412 Mar
OPPC Applications Frequently Asked Questions - (updated 12/03/14)
Frequently asked questions explain oil discharge permit applications through PETS, including start dates, supporting attachments, Environmentally Critical Elements strategies and Standard Industry Conditions. The guidance also addresses environmental impact justification, changes to EEMS discharge returns, application review checks and responsibilities for maintaining application details.
- 201318 Nov
Final Study Report - November 2013
Research examines cetacean distribution and responses to seismic exploration in the Moray Firth using passive acoustics, visual surveys, photo-identification and habitat modelling. Air-gun measurements test propagation predictions. Porpoise responses declined during the survey, while dolphin abundance estimates remained similar across years despite evidence of short-term behavioural responses.
- 2011Jul
Review and Assessment of Underwater Sound Produced from Oil and Gas Activities and Potential Reporting Requirements under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, July 2011
This research review catalogues underwater sound from oil and gas operations and assesses potential reporting under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. It compares acoustic measurements and marine-animal impact criteria across seismic surveying, piling, explosive decommissioning and continuous sources, highlighting data gaps, conversion uncertainties and differences between proposed reporting thresholds and biological effects.
- 201129 Mar
Offshore Chemicals Regulations 2002 (as amended): Guidance (March 2011)
Guidance explains offshore chemical permitting, registration, environmental assessment and reporting under the amended Regulations. It distinguishes authorised use and discharge from unintentional releases, describes CHARM and OCNS assessment methods, and covers permit variations, monitoring, enforcement and substitution. Annexes explain chemical screening, phase-out planning and annual reporting.
- 201024 Jun
2D Seismic Survey in the Moray Firth: Review of Noise Impact Studies and Re-assessment of Acoustic Impacts
Reviews two acoustic assessments for a planned Moray Firth seismic survey and reassesses marine mammal impacts using RAM and Bellhop propagation modelling. It compares predicted single-pulse and cumulative exposure with hearing and behavioural criteria, highlighting methodological uncertainty, near-field limitations and the dependence of potential effects on animal movement.
- 20084 Mar
Public Hearings on Cape Wind Draft Environmental Impact Statement
An MMS press release announces four Massachusetts public hearings on the Cape Wind draft environmental impact statement. It outlines the proposed offshore wind project, alternatives assessed and opportunities for public comment, while clarifying that the assessment does not constitute project approval or disapproval.
- 2007Dec
Quality review of environmental statements for offshore petroleum production and pipeline developments
Research evaluates 35 offshore petroleum environmental statements submitted during 2002–2005 using a modified Lee & Colley review package, alongside interviews and document scrutiny. It examines non-pollution effects, alternatives and mitigation, finding weaknesses in impact prediction, monitoring and residual-impact coverage, and reviews BERR’s assessment procedures.
- 2001Oct
Guidance on Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001
Guidance explains habitat and species protection requirements for offshore petroleum licensing, surveys, drilling, pipeline authorisations and decommissioning. It describes screening for likely significant effects, appropriate assessment by DTI with JNCC advice, consent decisions, exceptional public-interest provisions, compensatory measures, reviews and appeals.
- 2000Jan
A Review of Environmental Statements Produced for Offshore Oil and Gas Developments
Reviews ten offshore oil and gas environmental statements using the European Commission’s review checklist. Finds weaknesses in alternatives, baseline information, impact prediction and monitoring, comparing findings with regulatory requirements and good practice. Recommends earlier integration of assessment into project planning, dedicated surveys and public reporting of post-auditing results.
- Undated
Covering Letter for Revised Liberty Development Oil-Spill Analysis
A BP Exploration covering letter transmits revised oil-spill analysis for the Liberty Development Project’s environmental impact analysis. It records incorporation of most regulator comments and associated changes to the oil-spill effects section. The supplied pages contain correspondence and a distribution list, rather than the attached technical analysis.
- Undated
Background to the advice on noise management within harbour porpoise SACs
Explains the rationale for managing underwater noise in harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation through temporary habitat loss rather than animal counts. Discusses seasonal area-time thresholds, empirically based deterrence ranges, noise abatement and alternative wind-farm foundations. Acknowledges uncertain evidence and describes adaptive management and differing approaches among conservation bodies.
- Undated
Geological Survey Notification Guidance
Guidance explains notification-only geological surveys, recording multiple techniques and combining consent and notification activities in one application. It identifies visual-survey exemptions and proportionate environmental information requirements. Detailed justification and full baselines are not expected, while operations within UK Marine Protected Areas warrant proportionate assessment of potential impacts.
- Undated
OPPC Guidance Notes
Revised guidance explains offshore oil discharge permitting, distinguishing authorised discharges from prohibited releases. It covers applications, discharge limits, sampling and analysis, reporting, variations and transfers. Detailed appendices address produced water, drainage, contaminated cuttings, well-operation fluids, sand and scale, alongside exemptions and interfaces with merchant-shipping pollution requirements.
- Undated
Quadrant/Block Specific Issues
Guidance on UK Continental Shelf environmental approvals and quadrant-specific constraints for oil and gas activities. It explains assessment and permitting requirements, seasonal drilling and seismic survey concerns, protected habitats and military restrictions. Extensive block tables identify sensitivities, exclusions and supplementary conditions; entries indicating no sensitivities do not override other constraints.
- Undated
Supplementary guidance - Effects of Scope 3 Emissions
Supplementary guidance explains how offshore oil and gas environmental statements should assess downstream scope 3 climate effects. It addresses global baselines, lifetime production estimates, the rebuttable full-combustion presumption, calculation methods, significance and cumulative effects. It also discusses non-speculative mitigation, project-verifiable emissions removal and case-by-case screening requirements.