Open consultation

Decommissioning offshore installations: guidance and associated policy proposals

Summary

We're seeking views on decommissioning offshore installations: the methodology for considering derogations under OSPAR Decision 98/3, and associated policy changes.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

Update 15 October

The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) has extended the deadline for responses to this consultation at the request of stakeholders. The deadline for responses is now 14 November 2025.

We also republished the consultation document: Question 8 has been very slightly amended (as noted in the document itself) to aid clarity.

We invite views on draft supplementary guidance for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations, and associated policy proposals:

  • the draft supplementary guidance (guidance on the methodology for considering derogations under OSPAR Decision 98/3) has been prepared by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) to provide detail on the proposed UK process for considering whether or not a case for derogation from OSPAR Decision 98/3 could be made
  • the policy proposals concern the cutting and removal, where appropriate, of offshore oil and gas steel jackets at the seabed level rather than to -3m below the seabed

We have published an assessment of the financial impact to the offshore oil and gas industry as part of the consultation.

The consultation is open to all but will be of particular interest to the offshore oil and gas industry.

Read our consultation privacy notice.

Documents

Ways to respond

Updates to this page

Published 5 September 2025
Last updated 15 October 2025 show all updates
  1. Question 8 in the consultation document has been slightly amended (as noted in the document) to aid clarity.

  2. The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) has extended the deadline for responses to this consultation at the request of stakeholders. It will now close on 14 November 2025.

  3. First published.

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