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Deep Drilling Screening Directions 2026 - Multiple Offshore Well Decisions

OPRED issued multiple deep drilling screening direction decisions for UK offshore petroleum operations. Decisions were published for SHEARWATER (Adura Operations Limited), MUNGO (BP Exploration Operating Company Limited), MAGNUS (Enquest Heather Limited), PENGUIN WEST (Adura Operations Limited), CYGNUS (Ithaca (NE) E&P Limited), and CLAIR-RIDGE (BP Exploration Operating Company Limited). These environmental screening decisions authorise drilling producer wells at various North Sea locations. Decision references include DR/2626/0, DR/2647/0, DR/2643/0, DR/2641/0, DR/2634/0, and DR/2642/0.

OPRED Requests EMS Annual Public Statement from Offshore Operators

OPRED issued a request on 15 April 2026 for Environmental Management System (EMS) Annual Public Statements from offshore oil and gas operators. The communication is part of OPRED's ongoing stakeholder communications for 2026. Operators in the UK offshore sector should monitor for the specific submission requirements outlined in the request.

Kyla Field Development Decision

OPRED issued a decision on the Kyla Field Development project proposed by Serica Energy Ltd. The decision is accompanied by a full Environmental Statement (Part 1 and Part 2, totalling over 500 pages) and a public consultation notice published on 10 April 2026. The project falls under the Offshore Petroleum Licensing regime and requires compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.

Oil & Gas Offshore Decommissioning Guidance, UKCS

OPRED published guidance on decommissioning offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines on the UK Continental Shelf under the Petroleum Act 1998. Operators must submit decommissioning programmes identifying all equipment, infrastructure, and materials, along with proposed decommissioning solutions for each item. OPRED invites public comments on programmes and has published financial assurance guidance outlining how it assesses operators' financial capability to carry out decommissioning.

Charging Regime for Offshore Oil and Gas Activities - Consultation Concluded

OPRED and DESNZ have concluded their consultation on revised hourly rates for specialist and non-specialist staff fees under the new offshore decommissioning charging regime. The consultation ran from 17 February to 13 March 2026 and sought feedback on rates used to calculate costs recovered for the Secretary of State's environmental and decommissioning functions under Part IV of the Petroleum Act 1998. Changes were enabled by amendments to the Petroleum Act 1998 made by the Energy Act 2023.

Civil Nuclear Constabulary Learner Safeguarding Policy

The Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) published the Civil Nuclear Constabulary Learner Safeguarding Policy on 18 December 2025. The policy establishes safeguarding procedures and reporting mechanisms for learners within the CNC training programme. A reporting template is provided for submitting learner safeguarding concerns via email.

Sellafield AFO Recruitment Opens, Applications Now Accepted

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary has opened recruitment for Authorised Firearms Officers at Sellafield as part of a rolling national programme to maintain armed protection at one of the UK's most sensitive nuclear sites. Successful applicants receive a starting salary of £31,164 and undertake a Level 4 Non-Home Office Police Officer Apprenticeship with a 19-week Initial Foundation Programme followed by 20 months of structured development at their Operational Policing Unit.

CNPA Board Minutes, January 2025, Redacted

The Civil Nuclear Police Authority published redacted board meeting minutes from its January 2025 meeting. The document provides transparency into CNPA governance activities but contains significant redactions. The minutes cover board discussions and decisions within the Civil Nuclear Constabulary's oversight function for nuclear site security in the UK.

CNPA Board Minutes - March 2025

The Civil Nuclear Police Authority published redacted minutes from its March 2025 board meeting on 10 April 2026. The document is provided in PDF format (707 KB, 8 pages) as part of government transparency requirements. Accessibility options are available upon request.

CNPA Board Minutes September 2025

The Civil Nuclear Police Authority published redacted board meeting minutes from its September 2025 session. The 11-page PDF document provides transparency data on the authority's governance activities. The minutes were published on the UK Government website on 10 April 2026.