Statutory guidance: Regulatory guidance for installations: the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme

Updated: Regulatory guidance for installations updated to reflect changes to the revised 2018 scheme year reporting and surrender deadlines in the UK Regulations which came into force 27 December 2017, as well as our updated Enforcement and Sanctions policy.

This guidance aims to provide help for those operating or regulating activities that are covered by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2012.

This guidance applies to Phase III of the european union emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) only (which commences on 1 January 2013) and excludes aviation, for which there is separate guidance.

To ensure this guidance is current and up to date, it will be updated from time to time.




National Statistics: Food chain productivity

Updated: Amended chart 4 Retail.

The total factor productivity of the United Kingdom food chain is examined within the four main food industry sectors and compared to the wider economy. Total factor productivity relates the volume of output to the volume of labour, capital and purchases, and so can provide a measure of efficiency. Total factor productivity provides a comprehensive picture of growth. Presented as an index, it relates major inputs of labour, intermediate purchases and capital consumption to outputs (turnover). There is a practical upper limit on the quantity of food that people in the UK want to consume but increases in outputs can be achieved by increases in the quality of foods (value added) and by increases in exports. Increases in total factor productivity can be achieved through increases in outputs and/or by reductions in inputs.

Next update: see the Statistics release calendar

Defra statistics: family food

You can also contact us via Twitter: https://twitter.com/DefraStats




Research and analysis: Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) brokerage results

Updated: ECO brokerage results 16 October 2018 published

Brokerage operates as a fortnightly anonymous auction where providers of the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) can sell ‘lots’ of ECO Carbon Saving Obligation, ECO Carbon Saving Communities and ECO Affordable Warmth, to energy companies in return for ECO subsidy.

The results from auctions 1 (15 January 2013) to 44 (23 September 2014) and 77 (9 February 2016) onwards show the number of lots submitted. However the results from auctions 45 (7 October 2014) to 76 (26 January 2016), reflect the number of bids submitted.

No auction took place for the following auction numbers, because no lots were submitted for them:

  • 135 (29 May 2018)
  • 134 (15 May 2018)
  • 133 (1 May 2018)
  • 132 (19 April 2018)
  • 130 (20 March 2018)
  • 129 (6 March 2018)



Detailed guide: Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines

Updated: Approval of Close out Report

Overview

The decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) is controlled through the Petroleum Act 1998.

The responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the Petroleum Act 1998 are complied with rests with the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) which sits within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Owners of oil and gas installations and pipelines are required to decommission their offshore infrastructure at the end of a field’s economic life and the 1998 Act requires owners to set out the measures to decommission disused installations and/or pipelines in a decommissioning programme.

A decommissioning programme must identify all the items of equipment, infrastructure and materials that have been installed or drilled and describe the decommissioning solution for each.

OPRED aims to be transparent in its consideration of decommissioning programmes. As a result members of the public, other organisations, non-governmental organisations and other government departments or agencies are invited to comment on the proposals set out in a programme.

Details of the current programmes under consideration are noted in the table below.

OPRED provides guidance on the regulatory requirements for decommissioning,
Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Guidance Notes May 2018
(PDF, 1.09MB, 124 pages)

. Final guidance on the Environmental Considerations for Decommissioning (section 12) will follow shortly, meantime draft guidance can be found here:
Section 12
(MS Word Document, 142KB)

.

Table of draft decommissioning programmes under consideration

Field Name Field Operator Status Main points of the programme Details
Viking VDP2 (Viking Bravo Hub, Viking Satellites KD, LD, AR and Vixen VM) ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal to shore of the Viking Bravo Hub and Viking Satellites KD, LD and AR topsides and jackets and Victor JM subsea manifold for recycling/disposal.
Wells to be plugged and abandoned.
Pipelines to be decommissioned in situ. All mattresses on pipelines to remain in situ.

VDP2 Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 3.29MB, 80 pages)



VDP2 Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 3.09MB, 167 pages)



VDP2 Environmental Statement
(PDF, 13.5MB, 420 pages)

Viking VDP3 (Victor JD and JM) ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal to shore of the Victor JD topsides and jackets and Victor JM subsea manifold for recycling/disposal.
Wells to be plugged and abandoned.
Pipelines to be decommissioned in situ. All mattresses on pipelines to remain in situ.

VDP3 Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 1.78MB, 49 pages)



VDP3 Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 3.09MB, 167 pages)



VDP3 Environmental Statement
(PDF, 13.5MB, 420 pages)

Dunlin Alpha Field Fairfield Betula Limited Draft programme under consideration Decommissioning in situ of Dunlin Alpha concrete gravity based structure and storage cells. Full removal of Dunlin Alpha topsides for reuse or recycling.
Dunlin Alpha Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 6.5MB, 77 pages)



Dunlin Alpha Decommissioning Comparative Assessment Report
(PDF, 3.66MB, 133 pages)


Dunlin Alpha Decommissioning Environmental Appraisal
(PDF, 5.04MB, 155 pages)

Beatrice Field Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited Draft programmes under consideration Topsides, jackets and the drilling template will be removed and recycled or disposed onshore. Wells will be plugged and abandoned. Trenched and buried pipelines will remain in situ. Any exposed sections will undergo trenching and burial, rock covering or be cut out and removed to shore. A small section of drill cuttings will be left in situ. Concrete mattresses and grout bags will be recovered to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal.
Beatrice Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 5.13MB, 81 pages)



Beatrice Comparative Assessment Report
(PDF, 3.3MB, 98 pages)


Beatrice Environmental Assessment Report
(PDF, 15.9MB, 255 pages)

Tyne South Installations Perenco UK Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal to shore of the Tyne South topsides, jacket and subsea installation for re-use or recycling.
Tyne South Installations Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 1.86MB, 40 pages)



Tyne South Installations Environmental Impact Assessment
(PDF, 8.75MB, 223 pages)

Guinevere Installation Perenco UK Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal to shore of the Guinevere topsides and jacket for re-use or recycling.
Guinevere Installation Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 1.68MB, 41 pages)



Guinevere Installation Environmental Impact Assessment
(PDF, 5.95MB, 149 pages)

Curlew and Curlew C Fields Shell (U.K.) Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal to shore of the Curlew FPSO, mid-water arch and mooring system for recycling/disposal. Removal to shore of subsea manifold, Curlew C WHPS and subsea pipeline structures for recycling/disposal. Subsea wells to be plugged and abandoned. All trenched and buried pipelines will be decommissioned in-situ with pipeline and umbilical ends cut or lowered and covered. All jumpers, spools and concrete mattresses will be recovered to shore for recycling/disposal.
Curlew and Curlew C Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 2.49MB, 61 pages)



Curlew and Curlew C Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 3.08MB, 85 pages)


Curlew and Curlew C Environmental Statement
(PDF, 7.77MB, 196 pages)

Windermere Field INEOS UK SNS Limited Draft programmes under consideration Topsides and jacket will be removed and recycled or disposed onshore. The pipelines will be partially removed, the exposed sections adjacent to the platforms will be removed and recycled or disposed onshore. The exposed ends will be lowered to achieve adequate depth of coverage. The existing buried sections of umbilical will be left in situ. All concrete mattresses and grout bags will be recovered to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal.
Windermere Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 2.39MB, 38 pages)



Windermere Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 1.49MB, 34 pages)


Windermere Environmental Statement
(PDF, 10.2MB, 235 pages)

Bains Field Spirit Energy Production UK Ltd Draft programmes under consideration All Subsea Installations will be removed. Both pipelines will be left in situ except for short exposed sections.
Bains Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 1.94MB, 30 pages)



Bains Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 1.68MB, 40 pages)


Bains Environmental Appraisal
(PDF, 3.61MB, 61 pages)

Jacky Field Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited Draft programmes under consideration Platform & Midline Tee Structure will be removed and transported to shore for re-use or recycling. Subsea wells will be plugged and abandoned using a drilling rig. Pipelines are trenched and buried and will remain in situ.
Jacky Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 1.86MB, 50 pages)



Jacky Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 1.32MB, 31 pages)


Jacky Environmental Impact Assessment
(PDF, 8.83MB, 135 pages)

East Brae and Braemar Marathon Oil UK LLC Draft programmes under consideration Removal of East Brae topsides and removal of jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of Braemar subsea installations. Pipelines to be decommissioned by partial removal and leave in situ.
East Brae And Braemar Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 10.3MB, 74 pages)



East Brae and Braemar Environmental Statement – Main Report
(PDF, 14.5MB, 78 pages)


East Brae and Braemar Environmental Statement – Technical Appendices
(PDF, 12.8MB, 96 pages)


East Brae Sub-structures Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 5.96MB, 39 pages)


Brae Area Subsea Assets Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 6.84MB, 43 pages)

Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick Marathon Oil UK LLC Draft programmes under consideration Removal of Brae Alpha and Brae Bravo jackets to the top of the footings.
Removal of Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick subsea installations.
Pipelines to be decommissioned in a variety of ways including removal, trenching and leave in situ.

Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 15.3MB, 120 pages)



Brae A etc, Environmental Statement – Main Report
(PDF, 14.6MB, 80 pages)


Brae A etc. Environmental Statement – Technical Appendices
(PDF, 13.3MB, 96 pages)


Brae A Sub-structure Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 5.27MB, 34 pages)


Brae B Sub-structure Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 5.44MB, 34 pages)


Brae Area Subsea Assets Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 6.84MB, 43 pages)

Ninian North Platform CNR Draft programme under consideration Topsides will be removed and recovered to shore. Partial removal of the Jacket to between 77.5 and 88.5m below LAT. Decommissioning in situ of jacket footings.
Ninian North Platform Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 1.8MB, 61 pages)



Ninian North Platform Environmental Statement
(PDF, 7.82MB, 229 pages)


Ninian North Platform Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 2.75MB, 92 pages)

Brent Shell U.K. Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal of upper part of Brent Alpha steel jacket to 84.5m below sea level.
Decommissioning in situ of Brent Alpha jacket footings.
Decommissioning in situ of Brent Bravo, Charlie and Delta concrete gravity based structures.
Pipelines several decommissioning options.


Brent Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 12MB, 322 pages)



Brent ES
(PDF, 12.5MB, 475 pages)



Brent EIA
(PDF, 5.05MB, 429 pages)



Brent ES Appendix
(PDF, 2.52MB, 45 pages)

A suite of detailed Technical Documents which support the Decommissioning Programmes documents are available on the Shell Website

Atlantic and Cromarty BG Global Energy Limited and Hess Limited Draft programmes under consideration Manifold and Well head Protection structures (WHPS) to be removed for recycling/disposal. Partial removal of pipelines and remaining section of buried/trenched pipelines to remain in situ.
Atlantic & Cromarty Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 1.76MB, 50 pages)



Atlantic & Cromarty Stakeholder Report
(PDF, 1.11MB, 32 pages)



Atlantic & Cromarty Environmental Impact Assessment
(PDF, 4.5MB, 109 pages)



Atlantic & Cromarty Comparative Assessment
(PDF, 2.06MB, 110 pages)

Table of approved decommissioning programmes

Field Name Operator at approval Operator following licence / company change Main installations decommissioned Approved option Year of approval

Brae Bravo Topsides, Flare Bridge, Flare Tower and Flare Jacket and Substructure
(PDF, 4.9MB, 52 pages)
Marathon Oil UK LLC Brae Bravo Topsides, Flare Bridge, Flare Tower and Flare Jacket/Substructure Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling August 2018

Brent Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Topsides
(PDF, 3.34MB, 81 pages)
Shell U.K. Limited Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie Topsides Removal to shore for recycling/disposal August 2018

Stirling A33 WHPS Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 1.13MB, 27 pages)
Premier Oil E&P UK Limited Subsea installation Removal to shore for recycling May 2018

Ann and Alison
(PDF, 2.98MB, 60 pages)
Spirit Energy North Sea Limited Subsea installations Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling April 2018
Pipelines Buried and stable pipelines left in situ. Surface laid pipelines removed to shore for re-use or recycling April 2018

Saturn (Annabel)
(PDF, 2.49MB, 47 pages)
Spirit Energy North Sea Limited Subsea installations Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling April 2018
Pipelines Buried and stable pipelines left in situ. Surface laid pipelines removed to shore for re-use or recycling April 2018

Audrey
(PDF, 2.87MB, 58 pages)
Spirit Energy North Sea Limited 2 fixed platforms Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling or disposal April 2018
Pipelines Buried and stable pipelines decommissioned in situ. Surface laid pipelines removed to shore for re-use or recycling April 2018

Rev Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 12MB, 42 pages)
Repsol Norge AS Pipelines Fully buried and stable pipeline to be left in situ. All other pipelines to be removed. All mattresses on pipelines to be removed April 2018

Markham ST-1
(PDF, 2.39MB, 49 pages)
Centrica Production Nederland B.V. Fixed Platform Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling February 2018
Pipelines Two pipelines to be decommissioned in situ February 2018

Osprey
(PDF, 3.92MB, 68 pages)
Fairfield Fagus Limited Subsea Installation Removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal December 2017
Pipelines Full removal with the exception of the Bundles, Umbilical Risers within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure or those trenched and rock dumped December 2017

Merlin
(PDF, 2.97MB, 56 pages)
Fairfield Fagus Limited Subsea Installation Removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal December 2017
Pipelines Full removal with the exception of trenched and rock dumped Pipelines and Umbilicals and Umbilical Riser within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure December 2017

Dunlin Fuel Gas Import (DFGI) and Dunlin Power Import (DPI)
(PDF, 3.48MB, 54 pages)
Fairfield Fagus Limited Subsea Installation Removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal December 2017
Pipelines Full removal with the exception of trenched and buried Pipelines and Rigid Riser and Riser Cable within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure December 2017

Viking Satellites CD, DD, ED, GD, HD Pipelines
(PDF, 6.77MB, 32 pages)
ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited Pipelines All pipelines and associated mattresses to remain in situ November 2017

LOGGS Satellites Vulcan UR, Viscount VO, Vampire OD – LDP1
(PDF, 17.5MB, 61 pages)
ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited 3 x fixed platforms – Vulcan UR, Viscount VO and Vampire OD Removal to shore of topsides and jackets for recycling/disposal November 2017
Pipelines All pipelines and associated mattresses to remain in situ November 2017

Leman BH Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 4.66MB, 46 pages)
Shell U.K. Limited 1 x platform Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling April 2017

Ettrick and Blackbird
(PDF, 2.1MB, 62 pages)
Nexen Petroleum UK Limited FPSO Removal for re-use at different location March 2017
Subsea Equipment Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling March 2017
Pipelines Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ March 2017

Ann A4 Decommissioning Programme
(PDF, 1.37MB, 29 pages)
Centrica North Sea Limited A4 Wellhead Protection Structure Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling February 2017

Janice James & Affleck
(PDF, 3.8MB, 115 pages)
Maersk Oil UK Limited FPSO Removal for recycling September 2016
Subsea Equipment Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling September 2016
Pipelines Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ September 2016

Athena Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 3.88MB, 70 pages)
Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited FPSO Removal for re-use at different location September 2016
Subsea Equipment Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling September 2016
Pipelines All 32 pipeline to be removed and returned to shore for re-use or recycling September 2016

Viking Platforms
(PDF, 3.53MB, 40 pages)
ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited 5 x fixed platforms Viking CD, DD, ED, GD, HD Removal to shore of topsides and jackets for recycling/disposal September 2016

Leadon
(PDF, 1.71MB, 53 pages)
Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited FPSO Removal for re-use at different location March 2016
Subsea Removal of 2 x bundle towheads and mid-line structure to shore for disposal; removal of 2 x drill centres to shore for disposal March 2016
Pipelines 2 x Pipeline bundles to be left in-situ, partial removal of gas import pipeline March 2016

Harding STL
(PDF, 2.61MB, 73 pages)


Harding STL Close-Out Report
(PDF, 1.62MB, 26 pages)

TAQA Bratani Limited Harding Submerged Turret Loading (STL) System Harding Submerged Turret Loading (STL) System to be replaced by new Offshore Loading System. STL to be removed to shore for recycling/disposal and shuttle tanker mooring and loading buoy interfaces returned to owner 2015

Thames Area – Horne & Wren
(PDF, 1.57MB, 48 pages)
Tullow Oil SK Limited 1x fixed platform Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling/disposal November 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ November 2015

Thames Area – Orwell
(PDF, 828KB, 42 pages)
Tullow Oil SK Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal November 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ November 2015

Thames Area – Wissey
(PDF, 1.26MB, 43 pages)
Tullow Oil SK Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal November 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ November 2015

Thames Area – Thames Complex
(PDF, 15.9MB, 76 pages)
Perenco UK Limited 3x fixed platforms Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ October 2015

Thames Area – Gawain
(PDF, 3.8MB, 47 pages)
Perenco UK Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ October 2015

Thames Area – Arthur
(PDF, 4.41MB, 46 pages)
Perenco UK Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ October 2015

Brent – Brent Delta Topside
(PDF, 3.55MB, 72 pages)
Shell U.K. Limited Brent Delta Topside Removal of topside to shore for recycling and disposal July 2015

Rose Decommissioning Programmes
(PDF, 2.87MB, 42 pages)


Rose Close Out Report
(PDF, 3.31MB, 36 pages)

Centrica Resources Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal May 2015 Close Out Report Approved October 2018
Pipelines Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ May 2015 Close Out Report Approved October 2018

Stamford
(PDF, 2.71MB, 39 pages)
Centrica North Sea Gas Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal April 2015
Pipelines Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ April 2015

Murchison
(PDF, 2.37MB, 70 pages)
CNR Large Steel Platform Topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore for recycling/disposal. Footings to remain in situ August 2014
Pipelines Export pipeline decommissioned in situ with remedial rock placement.

Infield Flowlines to be removed for recycling/disposal.

August 2014

Rubie & Renee
(PDF, 2.47MB, 50 pages)
Endeavour Energy UK Limited Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal April 2014
Pipelines Selective Recovery April 2014

Miller
(PDF, 6.57MB, 198 pages)
BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited   Large Steel Platform Footings to remain in place, steel topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore December 2013

Schiehallion & Loyal Phase One
(PDF, 1.84MB, 60 pages)
Britoil Limited Schiehallion FPSO Removal for potential re-use 2013
Pipelines Recovery where possible. Production flowlines to be left in situ. 2013

IVRR – decommissoning programme
(PDF, 1.57MB, 102 pages)


IVRR Close Out Report
(PDF, 4.74MB, 35 pages)

Hess limited FPSO Removal for re-use at different location 2013
Subsea installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal 2013
Pipelines Selective recovery 2013

Camelot
(PDF, 488KB, 39 pages)


Camelot Close out report
(PDF, 2.27MB, 41 pages)

Energy Resource Technology (UK) Limited Small Steel Platform Removal to shore for recycling / disposal 2012
Pipelines Pipelines decommissioned in situ 2012

Fife, Flora, Fergus, Angus: decommissioning programme
(PDF, 8.36MB, 135 pages)


FFFA Close Out Report
(PDF, 1.49MB, 33 pages)

Hess Limited FPSO Removed for re-use at different location 2012
Subsea installations Removal to shore for recycling / disposal 2012
Pipelines Full removal of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ 2012
Don Britoil Public Limited Company Subsea installation Removal to shore for recycling / disposal 2011
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ with selective recovery 2011
Welland Perenco UK Limited Perenco UK Limited Small Steel Platform Removal for re-use outside of UK waters 2010
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ with selective recovery 2010
Tristan NW

Close out report

Silverstone Energy Limited Bridge Energy UK Limited Subsea installation Removal to shore for recycling 2010; close-out report received January 2011
Pipelines Production pipeline with piggy-backed umbilical – leave in situ; jumpers, spool pieces and associated pipeline equipment – remove to shore for re-use or recycling 2010; close-out report received January 2011
Shelley

Close out report

Premier Oil Sevan Voyageur FPSO Tow away for future use at another location 2010; close-out report received February 2012
Manifold and Wellhead Remove to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal 2010; close-out report received February 2012
Pipelines Production pipeline – leave in situ; umbilical – remove in sections 2010; close-out report received February 2012
Kittiwake SAL Export System

Close out report

Venture North Sea Oil Limited Kittiwake SAL Assembly SAL Assembly – removal to shore for re-use. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: Completion of the removal of the SAL Assembly extended to 31 July 2012 2009; close-out report received July 2012
Pipelines Pipeline – flexible flowline removed to shore for re-use 2009; close-out report received July 2012
MCP-01

Close out report

Total E& P UK Limited Manifold & Compression Platform Permit granted for the disposal in-situ of the concrete substructure; topsides to be removed to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal 2008; close-out report received March 2013
Kittiwake Loading Buoy Venture North Sea Oil Limited Exposed Location Single Buoy Mooring System (ELSBM) Removals to shore for recycling or disposal 2008

Linnhe
(PDF, 2.25MB, 66 pages)

</p>
Linnhe Close Out Report
(PDF, 1000KB, 22 pages)
Mobil North Sea LLC Wellhead Protection Structure Removal to shore. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: completion of the removal of the Wellhead Protection Structure extended to 30 June 2010 2008; year of revised approval: 2010
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ; pipeline sections outside trenches removed to shore. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: completion of the abandonment of the pipelines extended to 30 June 2010 2008; year of revised approval: 2010

Indefatigable (Shell)
(PDF, 11.6MB, 224 pages)

</p>
Close Out Report
(PDF, 2.47MB, 64 pages)
Shell U.K. Limited 6 x fixed steel platforms Removal to shore 2007
Pipelines 2 x hose bundles removal to shore; 5 x infield + export decommissioned in situ 2007

NW Hutton: decommissioning programme
(PDF, 14.9MB, 320 pages)



Close Out Report
(PDF, 2.52MB, 32 pages)
Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company – now a subsidiary of BP plc Large Steel Platform Footings to remain in place, steel topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore 2006
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ 2006
Ardmore British American Offshore Limited Mobile Jack-Up Rig Re-use 2005
Ardmore Ugland Nordic Shipping AS Single Anchor Loading Systems Re-use/removal to shore 2005
Pipelines Re-use 2005
Ardmore Acorn Oil & Gas Limited Subsea equipment including guide frame Removal to shore 2005
Brent Shell Brent Flare Removals to shore for recycling and disposal 2004
Beatrice Talisman Energy (UK) Limited Fixed Steel Platforms Re-use 2004
Forbes and Gordon Infield Pipelines BHP Billiton Infield Pipelines Decommission in situ – retrench any area of pipeline with less than 0.4m depth of cover 2003; close-out report received May 2005
Frigg TP1, QP & CDP1

Close out report

Total E&P Norge AS Treatment Platform 1 (TP1), Quarters Platform (QP) and Concrete Drilling Platform 1 (CDP1) Concrete substructures to remain in place; concrete topsides to be removed to shore; steel installations to be removed to shore; infield pipelines to be removed to shore 2003
Durward and Dauntless Amerada Hess Pipelines Decommissioned in situ 2002
Hutton Kerr-McGee Tension Leg Platform Re-use 2002; close-out report received July 2004
Pipelines 1 x removal to shore; 1 x decommissioned in situ (with future monitoring programme) 2002; close-out report received July 2004
Camelot CB ExxonMobil Fixed Steel Platform Re-use or removal to shore for recycling. Revision to approved decommissioning option: removal to shore for dismantling and recycling 2001. Year of revised approval: 2002
Blenheim and Bladon Talisman FPSO Re-use 2000
Pipelines Removal to shore 2000
Durward and Dauntless Amerada Hess FPSO Re-use 2000
Subsea Facilities Removal to shore 2000
Maureen and Moira Phillips Large Steel Gravity Platform Removal to shore for re-use or recycling 2000
Concrete Loading Column Removal to shore for re-use or recycling 2000
Pipelines 2 x removal to shore;1 x decommissioned in situ 2000
Brent Spar Shell Oil Storage and Loading Facility Re-use as part of quay extension. Revision to approved decommissioning option: Brent Spar Anchor Blocks – removal to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal 1998 Year of revised approval: 2004
Donan BP FPSO Re-use 1998
Fulmar SALM Shell Single Anchor Leg Mooring Buoy Removal to shore 1998
16” Pipeline Decommissioned in situ 1998
Emerald MSR FPSO Re-use 1996
Pipeline Decommissioned in situ 1996
Frigg FP Elf Norge TotalFinaElf Norge Flare Column Removal to shore 1996
Leman BK Shell Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1996
Staffa Lasmo Pipelines Removal to shore 1996
Viking AC, AD, AP & FD Conoco 4 x Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1996
Esmond CP & CW BHP 2 x Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1995
Gordon BW BHP Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1995
Angus Amerada Hess Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel Re-use 1993
Forbes AW Hamilton BHP Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1993
Argyll, Duncan and Innes Hamilton BHP Floating Production, Facility (FPF) Removal to shore 1992
Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy Removal to shore 1992
Pipelines Removal to shore 1992
Blair Sun Oil AGIP Pipelines 1 x Re-use; 1 x Decommissioned in situ 1992
Crawford Hamilton Oil BHP Floating Production, Facility (FPF) Removal to shore 1991
Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy Removal to shore 1991
Subsea Facilities Removal to shore 1991
Piper Alpha Occidental Talisman Fixed Steel Platform Toppling 1988

Notification of disused pipelines

(the DPN form has been amended – July 2017)

During the course of a field’s life, pipelines/sections of pipelines may be taken out of use, e.g. due to corrosion, problems with reservoir pressure, damage to the pipeline, etc. When this happens, under the Petroleum Act 1998 the Secretary of State has the option of immediately calling for a full decommissioning programme. This is not always considered an appropriate option however, and so it has been agreed consideration will be given to handling suitable pipelines, under an informal decommissioning regime, thereby deferring a formal programme until the end of the field’s life.

If a formal decommissioning programme is not immediately deemed suitable, details of the out of use pipeline(s) will be circulated to other government departments for comment. Following this, OPRED will decide one of the following:

  • we are content with the proposals for monitoring and maintaining the out-of-use pipeline
  • we request additional information or further remedial action
  • we request a formal decommissioning programme

The Interim Pipeline Regime is intended to ensure out of use lines do not pose a risk to other users of the sea or the environment and that they are covered by an appropriate surveying and maintenance regime from the point when they are taken out of use until approval of the formal decommissioning programme, which is usually at the end of field life. It should be noted that any interim solution should not prejudice the final decommissioning options for that line, including complete removal. The department expects Operators to submit details of out of use pipelines/sections of a pipeline as soon as they are taken out of use.

Operators are reminded that any works that are proposed on any pipelines under the Pipeline Works Authorisation regime, as per their Terms and Conditions of the PWA, must have a Legal Consent in place before works can commence which includes but is not exclusive to any proposed decommissioning works. Consents are issued by the Oil & Gas Authority and Operators are requested to contact Claire Grant on any queries that they may have relating to Legal Consents. Further Guidance can also be found on the Oil & Gas Authority website: https://www.ogauthority.co.uk/licensing-consents/consents/pipeline-works-authorisations/

Once the necessary legal consent has been issued by OGA, Consents & Authorisations Section, Operators are to email a completed
Disused pipeline notification form
(MS Word Document, 81.7KB)

to The Offshore Decommissioning Unit, OPRED,BEIS.

If you are an Operator, aware of any out of use pipelines that have not been referred to the department, please submit a completed DPN form at your earliest convenience.

Following confirmation a pipeline has been accepted under the Interim Pipeline Regime, the Offshore Decommissioning Unit will continue to monitor the condition of the pipeline by asking the Operator to confirm the status of the pipeline remains unchanged following future surveys.

Further information

A list of all installations on the UKCS and their current status is available from the OSPAR Website

At the first ministerial meeting of the Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR) in 1998, a binding decision was agreed that set rules for the disposal of offshore installations at sea. Under the decision the dumping and leaving wholly or partly in place of offshore installations is prohibited. Decision 98/3 recognises it may be difficult to remove the ‘footings’ of large steel jackets weighing more than 10,000 and concrete installations. As a result there are derogations for these categories of installations if the internationally agreed assessment and consultation process shows leaving them in place is justifiable.

OPRED has utilised streamlined decommissioning programme templates for derogation and non-derogation cases, Operators will therefore have a choice whether to submit a decommissioning programme in the existing format (see Annex C of the Guidance Notes ‘Format and Content’) or adopt the streamlined decommissioning programme template. Operators should discuss individual cases with OPRED.

A
Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases)
(PDF, 1.36MB, 33 pages)

is available – (December 2015).

A
Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases)
(PDF, 1.5MB, 36 pages)

is also available (December 2015).

A word version of these templates can also be requested from OPRED. Please email The Offshore Decommissioning Unit for further details.

Cost recovery

OPRED will charge a fee in respect of offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines decommissioning programmes under the Petroleum Act 1998. Guidance, including the indicative fee structure, is available in
Guidance on charging a fee for offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998
(PDF, 308KB, 9 pages)




Detailed guide: Participating in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)

Updated: Update on UK Participation in 2019 NIMs Exercise published.

Overview

The EU ETS is the largest multi-country, multi-sector greenhouse gas emissions trading system in the world.

It includes more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plants across the EU with around 1,000 of these in the UK. These include power stations, oil refineries, offshore platforms and industries that produce iron and steel, cement and lime, paper, glass, ceramics and chemicals.

Other organisations, including universities and hospitals, may also be covered by the EU ETS depending upon the combustion capacity of equipment at their sites. Aviation operators flying into or from a European airport are also covered by the EU ETS.

This guidance explains the EU’s cap and trade system, including details of the phases of delivery of the System. It provides information on the UK’s application for Phase III free allowances via its National Implementation Measures (NIMs), as well as details of compliance and verification. There are also sections on emissions regulation for the aviation industry and the UK’s Small Emitters and Hospitals Opt-out Scheme.

Cap and trade

The EU ETS works on a ‘cap and trade’ basis, so there is a ‘cap’ or limit set on the total greenhouse gas emissions allowed by all participants covered by the System and this cap is converted into tradable emission allowances.

Tradable emission allowances are allocated to participants in the market; in the EU ETS this is done via a mixture of free allocation and auctions. One allowance gives the holder the right to emit 1 tonne of CO2 (or its equivalent). Participants covered by the EU ETS must monitor and report their emissions each year and surrender enough emission allowances to cover their annual emissions.

Participants who are likely to emit more than their allocation have a choice between taking measures to reduce their emissions or buying additional allowances; either from the secondary market – eg companies who hold allowances they do not need – or from Member State held auctions. More information is available on the EU ETS: carbon markets webpage.

It does not matter where (in terms of physical location) emission reductions are made because emissions savings have the same environmental effect wherever they are made.

The rationale behind emissions trading is that it enables emission reductions to take place where the cost of the reduction is lowest, lessening the overall cost of tackling climate change.

How trading works: a simplified hypothetical example

Historically installation A and installation B both emit 210 tonnes of CO2 per year. Under the EU’s allocation process they are given 200 allowances each. At the end of the first year, emissions of 180Mt were recorded for installation A as it installed an energy efficient boiler at the beginning of the year which reduced its CO2 emissions. It is now free to sell its surplus allowances on the carbon market.

Installation B however emitted 220Mt CO2 because it needed to increase its production capacity and it was too expensive for it to invest in energy efficiency technology.

Therefore, installation B bought allowances from the market, which had been made available because installation A has been able to sell its additional allowances.

The net effect is that the investment in carbon reduction occurs in the cheapest place, and CO2 emissions are limited to the 400 allowances issued to both installations.

Delivery phases of the Emissions Trading System

To date, 3 operational phases of the EU ETS have been delivered or agreed although it is envisaged the scheme will continue beyond 2020:

Phase I (1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007)

This phase is complete. Further details around this phase can be viewed on the National Archives version of the DECC: EU ETS Phase I web page.

Phase II (1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012)

Phase II of the EU ETS coincided with the first Kyoto Commitment Period. Phase II built on the lessons from the first phase, and was broadened to cover CO2 emissions from glass, mineral wool, gypsum, flaring from offshore oil and gas production, petrochemicals, carbon black and integrated steelworks.

In Phase II, each Member State developed a National Allocation Plan (NAP), which set out the total quantity of allowances that the Member State intended to issue during that phase and how it proposed to distribute those allowances to each of its operators covered by the System. Each NAP had to be approved by the European Commission. The approved UK Phase II NAP was published on 16 March 2007.

Further details around this phase can be viewed on the National Archives version of the DECC: EU ETS Phase 2 web page.

Phase III (1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020)

The current phase of the EU ETS builds upon the previous two phases and is significantly revised to make a greater contribution to tackling climate change including: an EU-wide cap on the number of available allowances and an increase in auctioning of those allowances, as well as the UK’s scheme to lower compliance costs for small emitters and hospitals.

The EU cap will reduce the number of available allowances by 1.74% each year, delivering an overall reduction of 21% below 2005 verified emissions by 2020. The trajectory will be calculated from a departure point of the mid-point of Phase II and will describe a declining cap from 2013 onwards.

Free allocation of allowances

All sectors covered by the EU ETS, with the exception of most of the EU power sector, are provided with a free allocation of allowances in order to assist with their transition towards a low carbon economy.

In addition, industrial sectors at significant risk of competition from countries without similar carbon costs (see section on carbon leakage in the EU ETS for more information) are eligible to receive a higher proportion of allowances for free.

In 2011, Member States were required to submit to the European Commission a list of the preliminary number of free allowances to be issued to each industrial installation in Phase III, referred to as ‘National Implementation Measures’ or ‘NIMs’. The UK submitted its NIMs to the European Commission on 12 December 2011, and subsequently submitted modified NIMs in April 2012.

On 5 September 2013 the European Commission announced completion of the process to check and confirm the free allocation of EU ETS allowances in each Member States’ NIMs. It also announced that a cross sectoral correction factor was required to ensure that free allocation across the EU remains within the cap set in the ETS Directive. The factor reduced the preliminary allocation for each EU ETS installation by 5.73% in 2013, rising to 17.56% in 2020. The average reduction of allocation is therefore 11.58% over the period 2013-2020.

The first list below shows free allocation figures in Phase III for each industrial installation in the UK, as approved by the European Commission on 18 December 2013. The second list shows updated free allocation figures for Phase III, taking into account any changes to the allocation agreed in the UK’s NIMs for individual installations as of 30 April 2014, for instance due to partial cessations, significant capacity reductions or where installations have entered the EU ETS (new entrants). This list will be updated on an annual basis to take into account further changes to allocation over the course of the phase.

UK National Allocation Table: Phase III National Allocation including changes: April 2018

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UK National Allocation Table: Phase III National Allocation including changes: April 2017

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UK National Allocation Table: Phase III National Allocation including changes: April 2016

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UK National Allocation Table: Phase III National Allocation including changes: April 2015

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UK National Allocation Table: Phase III free allocation including changes to allocation: June 2014

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Phase III free allocation as approved in the UK National Implementation Measures

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Update 13 September 2018: UK participation in 2019 NIMs Exercise

A cross-EU data collection exercise (the National Implementation Measures, or NIMs) is due to run from January to September next year. UK operators of EU ETS installations will need to participate in this data collection.

The final details of this data collection will be confirmed before the end of the year. As laid out in the government’s White Paper, July 2018, continued UK membership of the EU ETS post-EU Exit is still being considered, and UK participation in the NIMs exercise is necessary to ensure UK installations are eligible for free allocations should we remain in the system. However, UK participation in this exercise is without prejudice to any final decision on the UK’s future approach to carbon pricing; the UK is considering a range of options, including continuing to participate in the EU ETS, a UK ETS (linked or standalone) or a carbon tax.

If the government considers the data collected as part of this exercise to be useful to the design and implementation of a non-EU ETS post-EU exit carbon pricing scheme, the government will also use the data collected for this purpose.

The deadline for operators to provide verified data to their regulator is expected to be on or around 31 May 2019 and should be confirmed in September. Over the coming months regulators will be communicating regularly to ensure that operators understand what will be required and enable them to make the necessary preparations.

To note the NIMs collection covers stationary installations only. Aviation operators will not need to participate.

Further technical information on the NIMs requirements for UK operators will be circulated by regulators in due course.

Carbon leakage and the EU ETS

Carbon leakage is a term used to describe the prospect of an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions when a company shifts production or investment outside the EU because – in the absence of an legally binding international climate agreement – they are unable to pass on the cost increases induced by the EU ETS to their customers without significant loss of market share.

The best way to address carbon leakage would be a legally binding international climate agreement. This would create a level playing field for industry inside and outside the EU with respect to accounting for the costs of carbon.

In the meantime, the EU ETS provides 2 mechanisms to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage. First, sectors deemed to be at significant risk of carbon leakage are eligible to receive 100% free allocation of allowances up to the sector’s benchmark. This is a significant source of relief, as sectors not deemed at risk will receive 80% of their allocation for free in 2013, declining annually to 30% in 2020 with a view to reaching 0% (ie full auctioning) in 2027.

The second mechanism allows Member States to compensate sectors at significant risk of carbon leakage as a result of indirect EU ETS costs (ie through EU ETS-related increases in electricity prices), provided that schemes are designed within the framework set by the European Commission (see section on indirect carbon leakage compensation scheme for more information).

The UK government strongly supports the principle of free allocation in the absence of an international climate agreement. We believe that the proportionate free allocation of allowances gives relief to sectors at significant risk of carbon leakage, without raising barriers to international trade. We are concerned however that those most at risk may not be compensated sufficiently in the future if current EU ETS rules are not reformed for Phase IV of the EU ETS.

The UK government recognises industry concerns around competitiveness and carbon leakage and is committed to ensuring that sectors genuinely at significant risk of carbon leakage are protected from this risk. In June 2014, we published a research project commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and undertaken by Vivid Economics and Ecofys, which investigates the occurrence of carbon leakage so far and the fundamental drivers of carbon leakage for a selection of industrial sectors and assesses the measures in place for its mitigation.

The report models the risk of carbon leakage for 24 industrial sectors, and was produced in consultation with industry stakeholders. Modelling analysis shows that in the absence of any mitigating policy measures (such as free allocation of allowances), no allowance for carbon abatement potential, and no increase in carbon regulation outside of the European Union, a number of sectors are at risk of leakage. Given these assumptions, the modelling analysis shows higher rates of carbon leakage than would be expected to occur in reality. The views expressed in the report are those of its writers, and do not represent an official position of the UK government.

The final report, case studies and associated peer review are available:

Assessment of carbon leakage status for the free allocation of allowances

Sectors at risk of carbon leakage are assessed against a set of criteria and thresholds set out in the EU ETS Directive. The list of sectors deemed at risk of leakage for the period 2013-2014 were agreed through the EU comitology procedure in December 2009, with additions to the list made in subsequent European Commission Decisions.

The EU ETS Directive allows for a review of sectors at risk every five years, with the possibility of adding sectors to the list on annual, ad hoc basis. On 5 May 2014, the European Commission published its draft list of sectors for the period 2015-19, based on the quantitative and qualitative criteria set out in the ETS Directive. The draft carbon leakage list was presented to the EU Climate Change Committee for vote, after which it was sent to the European Parliament and the Council for 3 months scrutiny before adoption.

On 31 August 2013, the UK responded to the European Commission’s consultation on the methodology for determination of the carbon leakage list for 2015 to 2019.


UK response to the European Commission’s consultation on assumptions to be used for the 2015-19 EU ETS carbon leakage list
(PDF, 163KB, 12 pages)

Indirect carbon leakage compensation scheme

In the 2011 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that the government intended to implement measures to reduce the impact of policy on the costs of electricity for the most electricity-intensive industries, beginning in 2013 and worth around £250 million over the Spending Review period.

As part of this, the government has committed to compensate the most electricity-intensive businesses to help offset the indirect cost of the Carbon Price Floor and the EU ETS, subject to state aid guidelines. In the 2014 Budget, the Chancellor announced that compensation for the indirect costs of the Carbon Price Floor and the EU ETS would be extended to 2019 to 2020.

The European Commission adopted revised State Aid guidelines on compensation for the indirect costs of the EU ETS in June 2012. These guidelines list the sectors deemed to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage due to indirect emissions costs, and provide details of the maximum levels of compensation that can be made available to them. Any Member State compensation scheme must be designed within the framework set by the European Commission.

In October 2012, DECC and BIS launched the energy intensive industries compensation scheme consultation, which set out our proposals for the eligibility and design of the compensation package.

The consultation, which closed in December 2012, provided an opportunity for all those interested in the package to comment on the proposals, helping us ensure that compensation is targeted at those companies who are most at risk of carbon leakage as a result of energy and climate change policies.

Following detailed consideration of the responses and state aid clearance for the EU ETS compensation package, in May 2013 we published the government’s response to the consultation and the final compensation scheme design for the EU ETS. The UK started making payments in respect of indirect costs of the EU ETS in 2013.

For Carbon Price Floor compensation, which remains subject to state aid approval from the European Commission, we expect to publish guidance later in the summer and begin payments shortly thereafter.

Full details can be viewed at on the Energy-intensive industries: compensation for indirect costs of energy and climate change policies page.

New Entrants Reserve

The New Entrants Reserve (NER) is a set aside of EU allowances, reserved for new operators or existing operators who have significantly increased capacity. The UK’s EU ETS Regulators are responsible for administering and assessing all NER applications.

Operators starting a new entrant activity must submit an NER application to their regulator within 12 months of starting normal operation of the new or extended activity. More information on applying to the Phase III NER is available on the Environment Agency: EU ETS New Entrant Reserve (NER) webpage.

Further information on allowances can be found on the EU ETS: allowances page.

Complying with the EU ETS

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System Regulations 2012 require all operators that carry out an activity covered by the EU ETS to hold a greenhouse gas emissions permit – in effect, a licence to operate and emit greenhouse gases covered by the EU ETS. Activities covered by the EU ETS are any of the activities listed in Annex I to the EU ETS Directive.

The EU ETS Regulators are responsible for enforcing compliance with the EU ETS Regulations, including operational functions such as granting and maintaining permits and emissions plans (for aviation), monitoring and reporting (including monitoring plans), assessing verified emission reports (and tonne-kilometre reports), assessing applications to the NER, determining reductions in allocations as a result of changes in capacity or cessation of activities, exchanging of information with UKAS on verifier activities.

Regulators include: the Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Natural Resources Wales, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for offshore installations.

For the purpose of calculating civil penalties, BEIS determines the value of the EU ETS carbon price used by the regulator. The determination is published in November each year:

On 7 August 2013, we launched a consultation on a number of technical amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2012 so as to simplify and harmonize EU ETS penalties in the transition to Phase III, improve clarity and reduce the burden for businesses. The consultation closed on 19 September 2013.

For more information on how to comply with EU ETS please visit:

Monitoring, reporting, verification and accreditation

An EU ETS operator must propose a monitoring plan when applying for a greenhouse gas emissions permit (or emissions plan for aviation operators). The monitoring plan provides information on how the EU ETS operator’s emissions will be measured and reported. A monitoring plan must be developed in accordance with the European Commission’s Monitoring and Reporting Regulation and be approved by an EU ETS Regulator. The reporting year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year.

The EU ETS requires all annual emissions reports and monitoring to be verified by an independent verifier in accordance with the Accreditation and Verification Regulation. A verifier will check for inconsistencies in monitoring with the approved plan and whether the data in the emissions report is complete and reliable.

The European Commission’s Guidance on the Accreditation and Verification Regulation aims to help operators of all stationary installations, aviation operators, verification bodies and regulators perform verifications consistently throughout the EU. It provides practical information and advice on the process and requirements for annual verification required by the EU ETS Directive, the European Commission’s Monitoring and Reporting Regulation and Greenhouse Gas permits/monitoring plans/tonne-kilometre plans.

Further useful information can be found on the EU ETS: monitoring and reporting page.

Finding an accredited EU ETS verifier in the UK

The Accreditation and Verification Regulation (Commission Regulation 600/2012/EU) requires EU ETS verifiers to meet specific requirements. In the UK, these requirements are demonstrated by being accredited. The UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) is responsible for the accreditation and supervision of verifiers in the UK and for maintaining a list of those verifiers. The list of UKAS accredited verifiers for Phase III, including aviation, of the EU Emissions Trading System indicates the scope of a particular verifier’s accreditation, for example in relation to particular sectors.

The UKAS list does not include verifiers accredited by other national accreditation bodies and under Phase III rules there is no ‘registration’ or acceptance procedure for non-UK verifiers. All verifiers are required to demonstrate that they are either accredited (or certified) in accordance with the Accreditation and Verification Regulation. Operators are responsible for ensuring that their verifier is accredited for the relevant scope of work. Details of a verifier’s scope of accreditation can be found on the verifier’s accreditation certificate.

If you are an EU ETS verification body working in the UK for the first time, you will need an ETSWAP account to view your client’s reports and to submit your verification opinion statement, as well as a Registry Account.
To open a verifier ETSWAP account, send an email to EThelp@environment-agency.gov.uk. It is advisable to do this when you have a client in the UK.

Include the following information in your email:

  • name of verifier organisation
  • country
  • accreditation identification number
  • a copy of your accreditation certificate
  • full name and email address of the main point of contact (this user will have the responsibility for managing other users for this verifier)

Once the ETSWAP administrator has approved your request for access, ETSWAP will send you an email with the login details for your individual user account.

To apply for a verifier Registry account, email etregistryhelp@environment-agency.gov.uk for an application pack.

Further guidance

Using UK greenhouse gas inventory data in EU ETS monitoring and reporting: the country-specific factor list

The European Commission’s Regulation on Monitoring and Reporting allows nationally reported data to be used as default factors in specific circumstances.

Carbon emission factors and calorific values from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory (AEA-Ricardo) are available for annual emissions reporting for the EU ETS:

Emission factors and calorific values for 2018

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The national factors are Tier 2 and Tier 2a emission factors and net calorific values for specific fuels used by particular industries.

The data have largely been extracted from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory that is presented on an annual basis to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Greenhouse Gas Inventory is developed independently to the EU Emissions Trading System. This data means the data referred to in Article 31(1) of the Monitoring and Reporting Regulation.

The factors in these tables should only be used in accordance with the requirements in an installation’s approved monitoring plan, which is part of the Greenhouse Gas permit.

Tables for previous years are available as follows:


Emission factors and calorific values for 2017
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 81.7KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2016
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 76.6KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2015
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 176KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2014
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 78.6KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2013
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 158KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2012
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 154KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2011
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 179KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2010
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 165KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2009
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 170KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2008
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 165KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2007
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 174KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2006
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 171KB)


Emission factors and calorific values for 2005
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 137KB)

EU ETS non-compliance

The EU ETS Directive requires Member States to put in place a system of penalties which is effective, proportionate and dissuasive but the nature of the penalties is largely left to Member State discretion (with the exception of the penalty for failure to surrender sufficient allowances in certain circumstances).

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System Regulations 2012 set out the civil penalties to which a person is liable if they do not comply with the EU ETS. The former DECC produced the guidance below for the offshore oil and gas industry detailing the Department’s approach to enforcement and sanctions.

The Regulations provide for the right of appeal against decisions of an EU ETS Regulator. In England and Wales appeals for both operators of stationary installations and aircraft operators, as well as offshore installations, are heard by the First-tier Tribunal.

Appeals in Northern Ireland are heard and determined by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC). In Scotland, the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) in the Scottish Government hears and determines appeals on behalf of the Scottish Ministers.

Different arrangements apply to appeals brought by aviation operators against a penalty notice served under the Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2010 for the 2012 scheme year. The relevant rules under the 2010 Regulations continue to apply in relation to any appeal brought against any decision made or notice served under the 2010 Regulations. These provide that the appeal body is the Secretary of State or an independent person appointed by the Secretary of State.

Guidance on the appeals process.

Further information: Oil and gas: offshore environmental legislation.

Appeal Determinations

2012 scheme year: 9 appeals determinations have been made:


CHC Scotia Limited civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 143KB, 9 pages)


Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 134KB, 7 pages)


London Executive Aviation Limited civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 217KB, 19 pages)


AJW Aviation Limited civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 134KB, 6 pages)


Jet Airways emissions estimate appeal determination
(PDF, 153KB, 12 pages)


Jet Airways civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 124KB, 5 pages)


TWO Air (Bermuda) Limited civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 160KB, 12 pages)


G5 Executive AG civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 172KB, 16 pages)


YH Aviation Limited civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 138KB, 7 pages)

2013/2014 scheme years: 1 appeal determination has been made:


Air India civil penalty appeal determination
(PDF, 85.5KB, 6 pages)

Aviation in the EU ETS

The EU Emissions Trading System requires aircraft operators to monitor and report emissions of CO2 and surrender the equivalent number of allowances. The scheme is designed to be a cost-effective means of tackling the CO2 emissions from aviation, enabling the aviation industry to grow sustainably whilst delivering emission reductions. The scheme applies to all flights between airports in the European Economic Area.

Details of the underpinning EU legislation and related detailed FAQs can be found on the European Commission: Reducing emissions from aviation web page.

We are consulting on implementation of the revised Aviation ETS in the UK. The consultation seeks comments on the proposed amendments to UK Regulations and the consultation-stage Impact Assessment. You can view the consultation and accompanying documents on the EU Emissions Trading System aviation consultation webpage.

The key changes are:

  • an Intra-European Economic Area (EEA) scope for the Aviation ETS from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2016
  • a deferral of compliance deadlines for 2013 emissions until March and April 2015
  • an exemption for non-commercial operators emitting less than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 per year until 2020
  • simplified procedures for operators emitting less than 25,000 tonnes of CO2 per year
  • the number of free allowances issued and allowances auctioned are reduced in proportion to the reduction in scope

We welcome views from any organisation or individual, and the consultation will be of particular interest to aircraft operators, aerodrome operators, verifiers, other participants in the EU ETS and environmental groups.

Regulation of aircraft operators’ emissions

Each aircraft operator is administered by a single member state. The European Commission produces an annual list showing which operators are administered by which member state.

There are 3 Regulators in the UK that regulate Aviation ETS activities, depending on the location of an operator’s registered office or where their highest proportion of emissions occur: the Environment Agency (for operators in England); the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency; and Natural Resources Wales.

You can find out more about what operators need to do to comply with the scheme on the EU ETS: operators and activities affected web page.

Auctioning

Find out how to bid for carbon allowances and aviation allowances in forthcoming Phase III emissions auctions. The first UK auction for aviation allowances will be on Wednesday 17 September 2014.

Free allocation to aircraft operators

The European Commission enacted legislation in April 2014 changing the scope of EUETS with regards to international aviation emissions (Regulation (EU) No 421/2014 amending Directive 2003/87/EC). As a result of the change in scope of Aviation EU ETS, the UK is obligated to recalculate the allocation of free allowances due to eligible aircraft operators. This recalculation has been done in accordance with the Commission guidance.

The table includes all operators who were previously due free allowances and indicates their new free allowance allocation under the reduced scope. Operators who ceased operations have been removed from this list.


Free aviation allowances allocation table
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 17.3KB)

Operators who are now exempt under the new non-commercial de minimis (under 1,000tCO2 per annum calculated on the basis of full scope) still appear in this table. However owing to their exempt status these operators are not due free allowances and as such their Aircraft Operator Holding Account (AOHA) will be marked as ‘excluded’ in the registry – meaning that no transactions can be carried out and no free allowances will be deposited.

If you believe you are no longer due any allowances as a result of the changes or you wish to seek further clarification as to your new free allowance allocation please contact the Environment Agency aviation helpdesk ETAviationHelp@environment-agency.gov.uk.

The European Commission: Allocation of aviation allowances in an EEA-wide Emissions Trading System web pages on allocation to aircraft operators provide further detail on the allocation process.

Historic information

Please visit the EU ETS legislation page to see UK legislation and EU Regulations.

Please visit the National Archives version of the Aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System web pages to see information relating to aviation/aviation appeals previously available on the DECC website.

Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme

The UK’s Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme allows eligible installations to be excluded from Phase 3 (2013 to 2020) of the EU ETS. The scheme has been approved by the European Commission.

Article 27 of the EU ETS Directive enables small emitters and hospitals to be excluded from the EU ETS, with the primary aim of reducing the administrative burdens on these installations. This acknowledges that the administrative costs faced by smaller emitters under the EU ETS are disproportionately high per tonne of CO2, in comparison to the costs for large emitting installations. The Directive requires that excluded installations are subject to a domestic scheme that will deliver an equivalent contribution to emission reductions as the EU ETS.

The UK’s opt-out scheme was designed in consultation with industry and aims to offer a simple, deregulatory alternative to the EU ETS whilst maintaining the incentives for emission reductions. We estimate that the scheme will offer savings of up to £39 million to industry over Phase III.

The opt-out scheme offers deregulatory savings through:

  • the replacement of a requirement to surrender allowances with an emissions reduction target
  • simplified monitoring, reporting and verification requirements (MRV), including the removal of the requirement for third party verification
  • no requirement to hold an active registry account
  • less burdensome rules for target adjustment following an increase in installation capacity

Further details on the scheme are contained in the documents listed below. Please note that these documents will be updated later in 2015. The consultations referred to in the ‘Frequently asked questions’ document are now closed.

The UK’s Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme (document updated on 25 March 2013 following agreement of the EU Registries Regulation 2012)

Impact Assessment: EU ETS Small Emitter and Hospital Phase III Opt-out Scheme

Frequently asked questions on the Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme

Participants in the opt-out scheme

Operators of installations that are excluded from the EU ETS and participating in the Opt-out Scheme should refer to the document European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) Phase III: Guidance for installations – How to comply with the EU ETS and Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme.

The application period for the opt-out scheme ran from 23 May to 18 July 2012. Operators of 247 installations were approved to participate in the opt-out scheme by the European Commission as excluded from the EU ETS.

The final list of installations cleared by the European Commission

The EU ETS Directive does not provide for further installations to join the opt-out scheme.

Previous information on the development of the scheme including, the application period, policy development and the small emitters workshop held on the 12 June 2012, can be viewed on the National Archives website.