Oil and gas decommissioning sector plan

The oil and gas decommissioning sector is an important emerging sector for Scotland, with huge potential to re-circulate valuable resources back into the economy. We want to work with the sector to help it put environmental protection and sustainable resource use at the heart of its development. The oil and gas decommissioning sector plan focuses on how we will do this, creating opportunities for both business and environmental success.

Media

Oil and gas decommissioning sector plan

Oil and gas decommissioning sector plan

Oil and gas decommissioning is an emerging sector, diverse in nature and consisting of many operators. The plan presents our vision for the sector, outlining how we are going to regulate operators and work with them to protect and improve the environment. It explains how we will work with the sector, and help influence the industry supply chain, to manage decommissioned waste streams in ways that create economic and social success from environmental excellence.

Oil and gas decommissioning sector plan (pdf)

 

Oil and gas decommissioning sector plan (flip book)

Regulations and guidance

Regulations and guidance

Scottish facilities undertaking decommissioning must be authorised to do so by SEPA. We will ensure facilities are appropriately authorised, operators are ‘fit and proper’ and the right conditions are in place to protect the environment and communities from pollution.

Of particular importance to this sector are the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 (TFS). We use these regulations to ensure that where installations are being transported for breaking abroad, it is only to the right countries with the right facilities. Further information about TFS is available on our website.

Other key areas of regulation that apply to this sector, and that we are responsible for, are as follows:

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the First Minister pledged that Scotland would lead the way to deliver a more equal, more just world, by signing Scotland up to the United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. These global goals give us the framework to achieve real change, from eradicating poverty to ensuring a good home for us all. This vision is underpinned by Our Approach to Regulation, which aims to deliver environmental protection and improvement in ways which help communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet.

Scotland’s businesses have a critical role to play in leading Scotland’s contribution to achieving SDGs. Through our sector plans, we have identified opportunities that will work towards achieving the goals and help realise the economic benefit of increased resource efficiency, innovation and resilience.

The actions set out in the Oil and gas decommissioning sector plan contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.