Repsol has been fined £160,000 by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) for flaring and venting more than 73 tonnes of gas into the atmosphere without permission

The fine recognises that Repsol’s failure undermines public trust and confidence in the industry and raises questions about the company’s attention to, and investment in, regulatory compliance.  

The NSTA has repeatedly told the UK oil and gas industry that meeting regulatory obligations is vital for sustaining the industry’s social licence to operate and has the potential to undermine public confidence. 

Repsol, which operates the Fulmar facility, east of Dundee in the Central North Sea, has received short-term flare and vent consents since January 2019 to cover necessary actions associated with post cessation of production activities on Fulmar, Auk North, and Halley.  

Jane de Lozey, NSTA Director of Regulation, said:  “Reducing emissions and meeting regulatory requirements is absolutely essential if industry is going to maintain its social licence to operate. 

“Repsol has engaged with the NSTA to learn from its failings on this occasion and taken steps to ensure it does not happen again. 

“We will continue to ensure that operators comply with regulations in the North Sea and will not hesitate to take action on the occasions that they do not. The NSTA is always ready to work with operators to ensure they remain in compliance, or bring them back into compliance.”