The development and operation of fields extending beyond the limits of the UKCS, or fields wholly on one or another Continental Shelf which require the development of new transboundary pipeline infrastructure or wells and control facilities, will require a formal agreement between the States concerned.

The agreement may make part, or all, of the Field Development Plan subject to the approval of the parties to the agreement.

The issues to be addressed in any such inter-Governmental negotiations are likely to vary from project to project. However, a principal policy objective will be to seek to put in place a framework that ensures that the benefits arising from any such development are apportioned in a fair and equitable way.

Licensees are advised to seek early, specific guidance from the NSTA during the screening stage for any development proposal that may have transboundary implications. The authorisation time-scale for transboundary fields will depend on the level of agreement needed between the States concerned. 

Please direct any comments or queries to the relevant NSTA Area Team contact.

Transboundary Treaties and Agreements on Fields, Pipelines and Delimitations

Below is a list of the relevant treaties and agreements. This list may not cover all the treaties and agreements and it is best to confirm with the relevant NSTA Area Team contact.

  1. 2006 Letter Exchange relating to the Joint Exploration of the Blane Field Reservoir
  2. 2006 Letter Exchange relating to the Joint Exploration of the Enoch Field Reservoir
  3. 2005 Framework Agreement concerning Cross-Boundary Petroleum Co-operation
  4. 2004 Agreement relating to the Transmission by pipeline of Heimdal Liquids to the United Kingdom (amending the 1986 Heimdal Liquids Agreement)
  5. 2004 Exchange of Notes concerning the Playfair and Boa Petroleum Fields
  6. 2001 Exchange of Notes (amending the 1976 Frigg Agreement top include a new pipeline)
  7. 1998 Framework Agreement relating to the Laying, Operation and Jurisdiction of Inter-Connecting Submarine Pipelines
  8. 1998 Agreement relating to the Exploitation of the Frigg Field Reservoir and the Transmission of Gas therefrom to the United Kingdom (amending the 1976 Frigg Agreement)
  9. 1996 MoU on the exchange of information on Safety Related Matters and Procedures for Consultation concerning the NorFra Gas Transportation System
  10. 1995 Exchange of Notes concerning the Statfjord Field Reservoirs and the Offtake of Petroleum therefrom
  11. 1994 Exchange of Notes between the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands amending the Agreement relating to the Transmission of Petroleum by Pipeline from the Ekofisk Field and Neighbouring Areas to the United Kingdom
  12. 1979 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway relating to the Exploitation of the Murchison Field Reservoir and the Offtake of Petroleum therefrom
  13. 1979 Agreement between the Government of the UK and Norway relating to the Exploitation of the Statfjord Field Reservoirs and the Offtake of Petroleum therefrom
  14. 1973 Agreement between the Government of the UK and Norway relating to the Exploitation of the Statfjord Field Reservoirs and the Offtake of Petroleum therefrom

Netherlands

  1. 2018 Agreement relating to the Exploitation of the Sillimanite Field
  2. 2013 Agreement relating to the Exploitation of the Orca Field
  3. 2010 MoU concerning the Wingate Field Pipelines
  4. 2008 MoU concerning the Stamford and Kew Pipelines
  5. 2007 MoU concerning the Minke Main Development
  6. 2006 MoU concerning the Grove and Chiswick Pipelines
  7. 2005 Agreement relating to the Transmission of Natural Gas through a Pipeline between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  8. 2004 Exchange of Notes (amending the 1965 Delimitations Agreement)
  9. 1992 Agreement relating to the Exploitation of the Markham Field Reservoirs and the Offtake of Petroleum therefrom
  10. 1971 Protocol (amending the 1965 Delimitations Agreement)
  11. 1965 Agreement relating to the Exploitation of Single Geological Structures extending across the Dividing Line on the Continental Shelf under the North Sea
  12. 1965, Agreement relating to the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf under the North Sea between the two countries

Denmark/Faroe Islands

  1. 1999 Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark together with the Home Government of the Faroe Islands, on the one hand, and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the other hand, relating to Maritime Delimitation in the Area between the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom.

Belgium

  1. 1997 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium relating to the Transmission of Natural Gas through a Pipeline between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of Belgium.

Ireland and Isle of Man

  1. 1993 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland relating to the Transmission of Natural Gas by Pipeline between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
  2. 2006 Agreement relating to the Transmission of Natural Gas through a Second Pipeline between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland and through a Connection to the Isle of Man
  3. 1991 Territorial Waters Agreement with the Isle of Man