52Appeals against sanction imposed
(1)This section applies where a sanction notice is given in respect of a failure to comply with a petroleum-related requirement.
(2)An appeal may be made to the Tribunal—
(a)by the person, or by any of the persons, to whom the notice was given, and
(b)in the case of an operator removal notice under section 48, by the licensee under whose licence the operator operates,
against any of the decisions of the OGA mentioned in subsection (3) (as to the sanction imposed by the notice) on the grounds mentioned in subsection (4).
(3)Those decisions are—
(a)in a case where an enforcement notice has been given, the decision as to—
(i)the measures that are required to be taken for the purposes of compliance with the petroleum-related requirement, or
(ii)the period for compliance with the petroleum-related requirement;
(b)in a case where a financial penalty notice has been given, the decision—
(i)to impose a financial penalty, or
(ii)as to the amount of the financial penalty imposed;
(c)in a case where a revocation of licence notice has been given, the decision to revoke the licence, whether in relation to some or all of the persons to whom it was granted;
(d)in a case where an operator removal notice has been given, the decision to require the removal of the operator.
(4)The grounds are that the decision of the OGA—
(a)was unreasonable, or
(b)was not within the powers of the OGA.
(5)On an appeal under this section against a decision made in relation to an enforcement notice, the Tribunal may—
(a)confirm or quash the decision, in the case of a decision as mentioned in subsection (3)(a)(i) (remedial action), or
(b)confirm or vary the decision, in the case of a decision as mentioned in subsection (3)(a)(ii) (period for compliance),
and confirm, vary or cancel the enforcement notice accordingly
(6)On an appeal under this section against a decision made in relation to a financial penalty notice, the Tribunal may—
(a)confirm or quash the decision, in the case of a decision as mentioned in subsection (3)(b)(i) (imposition of penalty), or
(b)confirm or vary the decision, in the case of a decision as mentioned in subsection (3)(b)(ii) (amount of penalty),
and confirm, vary or cancel the financial penalty notice accordingly.
(7)The Tribunal must have regard to any guidance issued by the OGA under section 45(2)(a) when deciding whether to confirm or vary a decision as to the amount of a financial penalty under subsection (6)(b).
(8)On an appeal under this section against a decision to revoke a licence or to require the removal of an operator the Tribunal may—
(a)confirm the decision,
(b)vary the decision by changing the revocation date or the removal date, as the case may be, or
(c)quash the decision, and
confirm, vary or cancel the sanction notice in question accordingly.
(9)Where a decision is quashed under subsection (5)(a), (6)(a) or (8), the Tribunal may remit the decision to the OGA for reconsideration with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate.