Drilling a Well
Below are the approximate deadlines for the various application steps for consents, approvals and permits required when drilling a well.
- 12+ Months before Spud Date
- 4 to 5 months before Spud Date
- 3 months before Spud Date
- 2 months before Spud Date
- 4 to 5 weeks before Spud Date
- 28 Days before Spud Date
Determining whether an Environmental Statement (ES) is required
If you are not sure whether you need to submit an ES, you may submit a Drilling Operations Application (DRA) to determine requirement for an Environmental Statement. This step can be skipped if it is clear whether an ES is or is not required.
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: EIA
UK GOV Guidance: EIA Guidance Notes and PETS Guidance (Draft)
- If you consider no Environmental Statement is required
You will need to apply for dispensation (Direction) using the PON15 form via the UK Oil Portal.
Form: PON15B
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: EIA
UK GOV Guidance: EIA Guidance Notes and PETS Guidance (Draft)
- If you need to submit an Environmental Statement
You will need to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and prepare an ES. A PON16 form should accompany the ES.
OGUK Guidance: EIA
UK GOV Guidance: EIA Guidance Notes
For more information, see the 3 months before Spud Date tab.
- Considering Impact on Habitats and Protected Species
You will need to identify whether proposed drilling will affect directly or indirectly any habitats or protected species under the EU habitats Directive. Additional measures and a Habitats Regulations Assessment may be required and submitted to the relevant Competent Authority (CA).
Submit via: The Offshore CA is usually DECC EMT. Email: emt@decc.gsi.gov.uk, Tel: 01224 254045/254050
OGUK Guidance: HRA
UK GOV Guidance: Habitats Directive Guidance
- Radioactive Material
Any radioactive sources will require a Certificate of registration. This can be obtained by submitting an RSA 3 form to SEPA (Scotland) or EA (England and Wales).
Form: RSA 3
Submit via: SEPA (Scotland) or EA (England and Wales)
OGUK Guidance: Radioactive Waste – Storage and Disposal
SEPA Guidance: RSA Guidance
- Prepare Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP)
If you do not have an asset-wide Oil Pollution Emergency Plan in place, you will need to prepare an OPEP. An OPEP Submission Sheet should accompany the OPEP.
Form: OPEP Submission Sheet to accompany OPEP
Submit via: (See the 2 months before Spud Date tab)
OGUK Guidance: OPEP
UK GOV Guidance: OPEP Guidance Notes
- Chemical Permits
You should prepare a Chemical Permit SAT (as part of the DRA) and the environmental information sections. You should include any chemical use or discharge associated with well-clean-up, if applicable. This process is done via the UK Oil Portal.
Submit via: UK Oil Portal (see the 28 days before Spud Date tab)
OGUK Guidance: Chemicals – Drilling
UK GOV Guidance: OCR Guidance Notes and PETS Guidance (Draft)
- ES submission and Application for Consent
If an ES is required, you should submit alongside this a PON16 form.
Form: PON16 to accompany ES
Submit via: Four copies of ES and PON16 + a CD copy to be submitted to:
EIA Co-ordinator, Environmental Management Team, Energy Development Unit, 4th Floor, Atholl House, 86-88 Guild Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6AR, Tel: 01224 254050 or 254 045 (Senior Administrators, EMT), Email: EMT@decc.gsi.gov.uk
OGUK Guidance: EIA
UK GOV Guidance: EIA Guidance Notes
- OPEP Submission
If required, you should submit for approval to DECC your OPEP as well as an OPEP Submission sheet.
Form: OPEP Submission Sheet to accompany OPEP
Submit via: offshore.inspectorate@decc.gsi.gov.uk or hard copies (if applicable; See UK GOV Guidance Notes below) to:
The Offshore Inspectorate Admin Team (OPEP), Department of Energy and Climate Change, Atholl House, 86-88 Guild Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6AR.
OGUK Guidance: OPEP
UK GOV Guidance: OPEP Guidance Notes
- Reinjection of Cuttings
If reinjection of cuttings is planned onsite, you will need to obtain approval from DECC. If reinjection of cuttings is planned offsite, you should submit an application for a Marine License (previously consent issued under FEPA).
Form: Relevant form information can be found here (Scotland)
Submit via: UK Oil Portal (onsite and offsite)
OGUK Guidance: Reinjection
UK GOV Guidance: Gov.scot website
- Chemical Permit Submission
Chemical Permit SAT (as part of DRA) should be submitted. You should ensure selected chemicals are registered with CEFAS and those of high environmental risk are replaced as far as possible.
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: Chemicals – Drilling
UK GOV Guidance: OCR Guidance Notes and PETS Guidance (Draft)
- Consent to Drill
You should submit a Consent to Drill well application. In most cases this should be done via the UK Oil Portal. Conversely, in certain situations a PON4 will need to be submitted (see Guidance below).
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: Drilling
UK GOV Guidance: UK GOV and PETS Guidance (Draft)
- Consent to Locate
You should apply for Consent to Locate for rig to the DECC EMT. (As part of DRA Application)
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: Navigation – Installations
UK GOV Guidance: CtL Guidance Notes and PETS Guidance (Draft)
- Deposit of Stabilisation and Protection Materials
If the Deposit of Stabilisation and Protection Materials is required, you will need to submit an application Direction under the EIA regulations in order to deposit material on the seabed. (As part of DRA Application)
Form: As part of DRA (PON15B)
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: Deposit of Materials
UK GOV Guidance: PETS Guidance (Draft)
- OPPC Permit
If you will be drilling through a pay-zone and reservoir hydrocarbon contamination of drill cuttings for overboard discharge is expected, you will need to apply for an OPPC Permit. An OPPC Permit may also be required if OBM well clean-up is expected or if there is any contamination of WBM/SBM clean-up. (As part of DRA Application)
Submit via: UK Oil Portal
OGUK Guidance: WBM Use and Discharge
UK GOV Guidance: OPPC Guidance and PETS Guidance (Draft)