Decommissioning

Decommissioning

This is an overview of the key content to be found in our Decommissioning subtopic. It briefly explains the nature of this content and provides links to it.

For more general information on oil and gas licensing and regulation, see subtopic: Oil and gas licensing and regulation—overview.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was established on 7 February 2023 and has taken over the energy portfolio (including in respect of oil and gas commissioning) of the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which no longer exists.

Decommissioning—introductory Practice Notes

Practice Note: ‘Conventional’ Oil and Gas—An Introduction provides an introduction to the key elements of the ‘conventional’ oil and gas sector, including licensing and regulation, the upstream, midstream and downstream elements of the sector, corporate transactions, health and safety, decommissioning and LNG, and provides links to related, more in-depth content on such topics.

Practice Note: The Energy White Paper—an overview [Archived] considers some of the key measures announced in the Energy White Paper published by the former BEIS on 14 December 2020 and their expected impact on the energy sector. It also provides

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Latest Energy News

Energy weekly highlights—4 September 2025

This week's edition of Energy weekly highlights includes: News Analysis on the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s first advisory opinion clarifying states' legal obligations relating to climate change. In addition this week, Ofgem has launched Tender Round 13 (TR13) to identify suitable bidders for the award of offshore transmission licences, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a package of Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGR) business model documentation in relation to carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) and an announcement from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) that the 'Gate 2 to Whole Queue' evidence submission window closed at 11:59 pm on 26 August 2025, with distribution network operators (DNOs) completing their evidence gathering.

Ofgem launches call for input on early competition OFTO build model

Ofgem has launched a call for input on its proposals to develop an early competition Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) build model, designed to support the delivery of non-radial offshore transmission assets and streamline coordination across offshore wind projects. Ofgem seeks views on: (1) the design and scope of the model; (2) potential centralised tender approaches, where Ofgem could trigger tenders; and (3) opportunities for alignment with the onshore Competitively Appointed Transmission Owner (CATO) framework. The consultation closes on 30 October 2025.

‘Bigger than we thought it was going to be’—the ICJ Advisory Opinion clarifies states’ legal obligations relating to climate change

Environment analysis: On 24 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down its first advisory opinion (AO) on climate change. The AO has been widely heralded as a turning point in both international environmental law and in climate change litigation, transforming climate ambition into enforceable legal obligations and setting the stage for heightened scrutiny of both state and corporate conduct. Written by Estelle Dehon KC, of Corner Stone Barristers.