Guidance

The 2020 EIA Regulations

The 2020 EIA Regulations

From:
Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning
Published
5 January 2021
Last updated
814 March 2022 — See all updates

From 1st January 2021

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)

Projects listed in Schedule 1 of the 2020 EIA Regulations are subject to an EIA process as required by regulation 5(1). Projects listed in Schedule 2 are subject to a screening process to determine if an EIA is necessary, but the developer may wish to undertake an EIA as set out in regulation 5(2)(b), if they choose. To access further information on projects which are subject to the EIA process, please use the relevant link below.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) - Transitional Cases

For projects where the Oil and Gas Authority decision on whether to grant consent is pending at the time when the 2020 EIA Regulations came into force, EIA’s are subject to the provisions of regulation 29 (Transitional and Saving Provisions relating to the 1999 Regulations). To access further information on EIA projects which are subject to the provisions of regulation 29, please use the relevant link below.

Screening Directions

Projects listed in Schedule 2 of the 2020 EIA Regulations require a screening direction in accordance with regulation 5(2)(a) to determine if an EIA is necessary. Screening directions for projects which have been through the screening process since 1st January 2021 can be accessed using the link below.

Deep Drilling Screening Directions

Pipeline Screening Directions

Production Screening Directions

Regulation 5(3) Decisions that No environmental impact assessment is needed without a screening direction

Schedule 3 Projects

The 2020 EIA Regulations provide that projects that fall under Schedule 3 do not require an EIA where the Secretary of State considers that the project is not likely to have a significant effect on the environment pursuant to regulation 7. Those projects are:

  • The construction of a pipeline for the transport of oil, combustible gas, or chemicals, or for the transport of carbon dioxide streams for the purposes of geological storage of carbon dioxide, or the maintenance, repair, replacement, protection or extension of an existing pipeline constructed for those purposes where no part of the pipeline or related works would extend more than 500 metres from a well or any part of an installation to which that pipeline would be directly or indirectly attached.

A list of Schedule 3 project decisions made since 1st January 2021 can be accessed at the following link:

Published 5 January 2021
Last updated 814 March 2022 + show all updates

  1. Schedule 3 Register updated

  2. Schedule 3 project register updated

  3. Update to Schedule 3 Projects Register

  4. Updated schedule 3 spreadsheet

  5. Addition of Pipeline Screening Directions - 2022

  6. Schedule 3 register updated

  7. Addition of link to Production Screening Direction 2022 page

  8. Weekly Schedule 3 Projects Register update

  9. Weekly Schedule 3 Projects Register Spreadsheet Update

  10. Weekly Update to Schedule 3 Projects Register

  11. Addition of Deep Drilling Screening Directions page for 2022

  12. Schedule 3 Project Tracker updated

  13. Schedule 3 tracking sheet updated.

  14. Schedule 3 tracking spreadsheet updated

  15. Schedule 3 register updated

  16. Schedule 3 tracker updated.

  17. Schedule 3 Projects Register updated.

  18. Weekly Schedule 3 Projects Register Spreadsheet

  19. Updated Schedule 3 register

  20. Schedule 3 tracking register updated.

  21. New schedule 3 register uploaded

  22. Schedule 3 Projects Register updated.

  23. Updated Schedule 3 register

  24. Updated Schedule 3 Projects Register,

  25. Schedule 3 Register updated

  26. updated schedule 3 register

  27. Weekly Schedule 3 Projects Register udpate

  28. Updated schedule 3 register

  29. Updated Schedule 3 Register

  30. Schedule 3 Projects Register weekly update

  31. Weekly Schedule 3 Projects Register update

  32. Schedule 3 projects register updated.

  33. Schedule 3 register updated

  34. Updated Schedule 3 Register

  35. Schedule 3 tracking spreadsheet updated.

  36. Updated Schedule 3 Register

  37. Schedule 3 tracker updated.

  38. Schedule 3 tracker updated.

  39. Schedule 3 register updated.

  40. Weekly 'Schedule 3 Projects Register' update

  41. Schedule 3 Register updated

  42. Schedule 3 tracking sheet updated.

  43. Schedule 3 Projects Register updated.

  44. Weekly Update to Schedule 3 Projects Register Spreadsheet

  45. Schedule 3 tracking updated.

  46. Schedule 3 tracking spreadsheet updated.

  47. Schedule 3 tracking spreadsheet updated.

  48. Update to Schedule 3 Projects Register

  49. Schedule 3 Projects Register updated.

  50. Addition of section for 'Environmental Impact Asssements (EIA) - Transitional Cases' within the 'Environmental Impact Assesssments (EIA)' section

  51. Weekly update to the Schedule 3 Projects spreadsheet

  52. Update of - Sched 3 spreadsheets - 25/01/2021

  53. 'Schedule 3 Projects Register' spreadsheet weekly update

  54. First published.

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