Disclosure of certain Geophysical Survey Data (created or acquired under an Exploration Licence post-2017)
Update on consultation response – 14th September 2020
The OGA has conducted a consultation on its proposed supplemental guidance on the disclosure of certain geophysical survey data created or acquired under an exploration licence. Two guidance documents were the subject of the consultation: one addressing disclosure of such data created or acquired pre-2018, and the other in respect of such data created or acquired post-2017. The guidance documents supplement the OGA’s published ‘Reporting and disclosure of Information and Samples Guidance’.
The consultation period for the supplemental guidance closed for comments on April 27th 2019. A total of 13 responses were received from production licensees, exploration licensees and industry associations/trade bodies.
The responses indicate there is general acceptance of the OGA’s proposal and guidance for the disclosure of certain geophysical data that was created or acquired post-2017.
On the proposed pre-2018 disclosure guidance (relating to ‘legacy’ data), a spectrum of views were expressed, and a number of helpful comments and suggestions received.
Following careful consideration, the OGA has now published its response to the consultation along with supplemental guidance for the disclosure of certain Geophysical Survey Data (created or acquired under an Exploration Licence post-2017).
Original Consultation message
In February 2019, the OGA published its Reporting and Disclosure of Information and Samples Guidance (‘Reporting and Disclosure Guidance’) which sets out the OGA’s requirements for the reporting of information and samples acquired or created in 2018 and/or thereafter, and how that information may be disclosed by the OGA in accordance with the Disclosure Regulations.
Whilst a number of the categories of information and samples described in the Reporting and Disclosure Guidance will be acquired or created under an offshore Production Licence, there will also be information (and to a lesser extent, samples) created and acquired under offshore Exploration Licences.
The OGA therefore proposes to publish further guidance to supplement the Reporting and Disclosure Guidance to set out how certain Geophysical Survey Data acquired or created under an Exploration Licence in and/or after 2018 will generally be disclosed by the OGA, and provide additional information on the reporting of such information.
A 30-day consultation period opens on 27 March 2019. OGA welcomes industry views on the disclosure guidance. The timetable for this consultation process is
- 27 March 2019 – Consultation period starts
- 27 April 2019 – End of Consultation period
- 27 May 2019 – OGA present written responses to the feedback