Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Petroleum (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 1988, which relate to applications for offshore petroleum exploration and production licences and the clauses to be incorporated in such licences.

The amendments extend the scope of the 1988 Regulations so as to apply to licences in respect of areas within the territorial waters adjacent to Northern Ireland. The table applicable for the purpose of defining lines across bays and estuaries around the coast of Great Britain, and accordingly determining limits in the scope of the 1988 Regulations, is consolidated with amendments to take account of changes in the coastline. The circumstances in which an application for a licence may be made otherwise than in response to a published invitation are restricted to the case where one or more of the former holders of a licence which has been revoked apply (with or without others) for a new licence over the same area. Other amendments are made for clarification.