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Offshore production licences can be extended beyond their original expiry date if necessary to allow producing fields to fully exploit the associated reserves. 

The Offshore Safety Directive of 2013 (‘OSD’) was implemented in the UK by the Offshore Petroleum Licensing (Offshore Safety Directive) Regulations 2015 (‘the 2015 Regs’) and other regulations.

Licences fall into several categories. The principal distinctions are between onshore licences and offshore licences, with a further distinction between exploration licences.

The NSTA is committed to maximising the well value cycle on the UKCS through effective regulation, promotion and by using its influence with licensees, the supply chain and relevant bodies.

This page contains information regarding the Annual Consents Exercise (“ACE”) in the following sections: 

The NSTA grants licences that confer exclusive rights to ‘search and bore for and get petroleum’.

The NSTA regulates offshore carbon dioxide storage – we are the licensing authority and approve and issue storage permits – and maintains the carbon storage public register.