Summary of OPPC Requirements

Discharges/Activities Permit Required Life or Term Comments
Produced water Yes Life
Produced water re-injection Yes Life
Displacement water Yes Life
Hazardous drainage system Yes Life
Non-hazardous drainage system Yes Life
Sand and scale Yes Either Where installation has Life Permit, it is recommended that
these operations be covered within this. Otherwise a term permit can
be applied for.
Drill cuttings and associated drilling fluids Yes Either A permit/schedule will only be required to cover reservoir
hydrocarbons. Drill muds will be regulated through the Offshore Chemical
Regulations only.
Drilling cuttings and associated drilling fluids
– injection		 Yes Either As above.
Well test and clean-up fluid Yes Either A permit/schedule will only be required to cover reservoir
hydrocarbons.
Well work-over, intervention and service fluid Yes Either A permit/schedule will only be required to cover reservoir
hydrocarbons.
Maintenance and cleaning discharges Yes Either A permit/schedule will only be required for discharges
that are not covered by an existing permit/schedule.
Decommissioning discharges Yes Either A permit/schedule will only be required for discharges
that are not covered by an existing permit/schedule.
Well suspension and abandonment Yes Term Permitting will be part of the PON5 approval process and
a separate permit/schedule will be issued.
Minor discharges Yes Either A general permit will be required, or discharges will be
included in the general schedule attached to any existing permit.
Hydrocarbons and substitute hydrocarbons regulated
under the Offshore Chemicals Regulations		 No N/A All uses and discharges will be authorised under the Offshore
Chemical Regulations 2002 and relevant discharge conditions included
in the chemical permit.
Machinery space discharges No N/A Discharges controlled under Merchant Shipping legislation
and should not be included in oil discharge permit applications.
Domestic wastes No N/A Discharges controlled under Merchant Shipping legislation
and should not be included in oil discharge permit applications.
Accidental or unplanned discharges – oil spills No N/A All spills of hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon substitutes (chemicals)
must be reported using a PON1.
Accidental or unplanned discharges – direct run-off
from installation		 No N/A Sheens must be reported using a PON1
Accidental or unplanned discharges – Flare drop-out No N/A Any drop-out should be reported using a PON1.