Section 356J “Authorisation of development”: drilling and extraction sites

References in this Chapter to authorisation of development of a site are to be interpreted as follows in relation to a drilling and extraction site that is situated in, or used in connection with, a licensed area.

The references are to be read as references to a national authority—

References in subsection (2) to a “licensee” are to a licensee in the licensed area mentioned in subsection (1).

In this section—

• “consent for development”, in relation to a licensed area, does not include consent which is limited to the purpose of testing the characteristics of an oil-bearing area;

• “development”, in relation to a licensed area, means winning oil from the licensed area otherwise than in the course of searching for oil or drilling wells;

• “national authority” means—

  1. (a)

     the F1OGA, F2...

  2. (aza)

     F3the Scottish Ministers,

  3. (aa)

     F4the Welsh Ministers, or

  4. (b)

     a Northern Ireland Department.