An update of the Code of Practice on Access to N. Sea oil and gas infrastructure is published today by the industry’s trade association.
Its aim is to encourage companies to conduct ‘timely and constructive’ negotiations when seeking new capacity in the extensive production and transportation infrastructure underpinning the basin.
The project has been delivered by a broad cross section of operators and infrastructure owners, working closely with the OGA and Oil & Gas UK, and demonstrates the industry’s commitment to work collaboratively for the broadest benefit of the UKCS.
A OGUK spokesman said: “The willingness by so many companies to participate in the update of the Infrastructure Code of Practice is a testament to the cultural change that the industry has undergone over the last two years.
“Companies are aligned in their intent to make the North Sea the most attractive mature basin in the world in which to do business.”
The Code also includes escalation steps, which can ultimately lead to an application to the Oil and Gas Authority to use its formal dispute resolution powers provided under the Energy Act 2011.
The ICOP guidance will be of particular relevance to commercial, legal, technical and operational staff and consultants working in this field and guidance notes have been published to provide best practice proposals for each stage of negotiations to access UKCS infrastructure.
31 Aug 2017
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