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The Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999

Type Statutory-Instrument
Publication 1999-02-17
Last updated 2025-02-27
State In force
Department King's Printer of Acts of Parliament
Source legislation.gov.uk
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  • (f) the risks to human health (for example, due to water contamination or air pollution).

Location of projects

2

The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by the relevant project having regard, in particular, to—

  • (a) the existing and approved land use;
  • (b) the relative abundance, availability, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources (including soil, land, water and biodiversity) in the area and its underground;
  • (c) the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas—
  • (i) wetlands, riparian areas, river mouths;
  • (ii) coastal zones and the marine environment;
  • (iii) mountain and forest areas;
  • (iv) nature reserves and parks;
  • (v) areas classified or protected under national legislation or Natura 2000 as defined in regulation 3(1) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017;
  • (vi) areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards laid down in assimilated law and relevant to the project or in which it is considered that there is such a failure;
  • (vii) densely populated areas; and
  • (viii) landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

Characteristics of the potential impact

3

The likely significant effects of the relevant project on the environment in relation to the criteria set out under paragraphs 1 and 2, and having regard in particular to the impact of the project on the factors specified in Article 3(1) of the Directive, taking into account—

  • (a) the magnitude and spatial extent of the impact (for example geographical area and size of the population likely to be affected);
  • (b) the nature of the impact;
  • (c) the transboundary nature of the impact;
  • (d) the intensity and complexity of the impact;
  • (e) the probability of the impact;
  • (f) the expected onset, duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact;
  • (g) the cumulation of the impact with the impact of other existing or approved projects; and
  • (h) the possibility of effectively reducing the impact.

SCHEDULE 2 — Information for the Environmental Statement

1.

A description of the project comprising information on the site, design and size of the project and where relevant to the particular characteristics of the project or the environmental features likely to be affected and to the extent that the undertaker might reasonably be required to compile the information having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment, such a description shall include– the land and seabed use requirements during the construction and operational phases; a description of the main characteristics of the production processes including the nature and quantity of the materials used; and an estimate by type and quantity of the expected residues and emissions (including water, air and soil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation) resulting from the operation of the proposed project;

2.

a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible remedy significant adverse effects on the environment;

3.

the data required to identify and assess the main effects which the project is likely to have on the environment and where relevant to the particular characteristics of the project or the environmental features likely to be affected and to the extent that the undertaker might reasonably be required to compile the data having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment such data shall include– a description of specific aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected including in particular human population, fauna, flora, soil including the seabed and its subsoil, water including the sea and any aquifers under the seabed, air, climatic factors, the landscape or the seascape, tangible property, architectural and archaeological heritage and the interaction between any of the foregoing; and a description of the likely significant effects on the environment arising from the existence of the project, the use of natural resources, the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste together with details of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment;

4.

an outline of the main alternatives (if any) studied by the undertaker and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects;

5.

a non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings; and

6.

where relevant to the particular characteristics of the project and the environmental features likely to be affected and to the extent that the undertaker might reasonably be required to compile the information having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment, an indication of any difficulties (technical difficulties or lack of know-how) encountered by the undertaker in compiling the required information.

Signed

John Battle — Minister for Energy and Industry, — Department of Trade and Industry — 1999-02-17

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Footnotes

1

S.I. 1988/785.

2

1972 c. 68. By virtue of the amendment of section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 by section 1 of the European Economic Area Act 1993 (c. 51) regulations may be made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to implement obligations created or arising by or under the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 (Cm 2703) and the Protocol adjusting the Agreement signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993 (Cm 2183).

3

S.I. 1998/968.

7

S.I. 1987/2197.

10

O.J. No. L103, 25.4.1979, p.1.

11

O.J. No. L206, 22.7.1992, p.7.

  • (a) A description of the project comprising information on the site, design and size of the project and where relevant to the particular characteristics of the project or the environmental features likely to be affected and to the extent that the undertaker might reasonably be required to compile the information having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment, such a description shall include–
  • (i) the land and seabed use requirements during the construction and operational phases;
  • (ii) a description of the main characteristics of the production processes including the nature and quantity of the materials used; and
  • (iii) an estimate by type and quantity of the expected residues and emissions (including water, air and soil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation) resulting from the operation of the proposed project;
  • (b) a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible remedy significant adverse effects on the environment;
  • (c) the data required to identify and assess the main effects which the project is likely to have on the environment and where relevant to the particular characteristics of the project or the environmental features likely to be affected and to the extent that the undertaker might reasonably be required to compile the data having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment such data shall include–
  • (i) a description of specific aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected including in particular human population, fauna, flora, soil including the seabed and its subsoil, water including the sea and any aquifers under the seabed, air, climatic factors, the landscape or the seascape, tangible property, architectural and archaeological heritage and the interaction between any of the foregoing; and
  • (ii) a description of the likely significant effects on the environment arising from the existence of the project, the use of natural resources, the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste together with details of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment;
  • (d) an outline of the main alternatives (if any) studied by the undertaker and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects;
  • (e) a non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings; and
  • (f) where relevant to the particular characteristics of the project and the environmental features likely to be affected and to the extent that the undertaker might reasonably be required to compile the information having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment, an indication of any difficulties (technical difficulties or lack of know-how) encountered by the undertaker in compiling the required information.

Editorial notes

13

1972 c. 68. By virtue of the amendment of section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 by section 1 of the European Economic Area Act 1993 (c. 51) regulations may be made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to implement obligations created or arising by or under the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 (Cm 2703) and the Protocol adjusting the Agreement signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993 (Cm 2183).

20

1878 41 & 42 Vict. c. 73.

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