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Oil: Seas and Oceans

Asked by Tonia AntoniazziLabourDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 11 June 2025UIN 56872

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to help tackle chronic oil pollution in UK seas.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The UK has a comprehensive environmental regulatory regime for the offshore oil and gas sector which is administered by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED). The regime ensures that provisions are in place to minimise and, if required, respond to oil pollution. Non-compliance with regulations and permits is investigated by OPRED and if required enforcement action can be taken. OPRED continues to work with industry to improve their performance and further reduce the potential for oil pollution.

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