Question follow-through · 15882

Oil and Natural Gas: Marine Protected Areas

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms are in place to help ensure oil and gas companies remain liable for the decommissioning costs of wells and pipelines within marine protected areas, including where operators c

answeredDepartment for Energy Security and Net Zero

About this written question

A written question asks a government minister for information in writing. Parliament publishes the question and any answer.

Answering body
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Tabled
3 Jul 2026
Target answer date
7 Jul 2026
Answer
13 Jul 2026 · 10 calendar days after tabling

Elapsed calendar days describe the record timeline, not whether Parliament considers an answer on time.

Votes on this topic

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Recorded timeline

  1. 3 Jul 2026

    Question tabled

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms are in place to help ensure oil and gas companies remain liable for the decommissioning costs of wells and pipelines within marine protected areas, including where operators c

  2. 7 Jul 2026

    Target answer date

    Date supplied by the official written-questions record.

  3. 13 Jul 2026

    Answer published

    Section 29 of the Petroleum Act 1998 ensures that companies connected to offshore installations and pipelines remain responsible for decommissioning. Liability for decommissioning continues after a licence or asset sale and applies to all companies being ...

Open official record

Official data retrieved 28 Sept 2026.

Later records

Possible follow-up questions

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