Continental Shelf Act 1964

1964 CHAPTER 29

An Act to make provision as to the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf; to enable effect to be given to certain provisions of the Convention on the High Seas done in Geneva on 29th April 1958; and for matters connected with those purposes.

[15th April 1964]

Commencement Information

I1 Act wholly in force at Royal Assent.

1 Exploration and exploitation of continental shelf. U.K.

(1) Any rights exercisable by the United Kingdom outside territorial waters with respect to the sea bed and subsoil and their natural resources, except so far as they are exercisable in relation to coal, are hereby vested in Her Majesty.

F1 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The general duty of [F5 the Secretary of State] of securing the effective and co-ordinated development of such resources in Great Britain as are mentioned in section 1(1) of the M1 Ministry of Fuel and Power Act 1945 shall extend to any such resources outside Great Britain with respect to which the said rights are exercisable.

(7) Her Majesty may from time to time by Order in Council designate any area as an area within which the rights mentioned in subsection (1) of this section are exercisable, and any area so designated is in this Act referred to as a designated area [F6 ; and the power to make Orders under this subsection shall include power to [F7 revoke, amend or re-enact Orders].]

(8) In this section “coal” has the same meaning as in the M2 Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 F8 ....

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 1(2) repealed (31.10.1994) by 1994 c. 21, s. 67, Sch. 11 Pt. II (with ss. 40(7), 66); S.I. 1994/2553, art. 2

F2 S. 1(3) repealed (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, ss. 50, 51, Sch. 4 para. 2(2), Sch. 5 Pt. I (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)

F3 S. 1(4) repealed (E.W.S.) (30.11.1993) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), ss. 3(1)(a), 7(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1993/2406, art. 2

F4 S. 2(5) repealed by Petroleum Act 1987 (c. 12, SIF 86), ss. 20, 30, Sch. 3

F5 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1969/1498, arts. 2(1), 5(6) and 1970/1537, arts. 2(2), 7(4).

F6 Words inserted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch. 3 para. 1

F7 Words in s. 1(7) substituted (18.12.2011) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 103, 121(3)

F8 Words in s. 1(8) repealed (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, ss. 50, 51, Sch. 4 para. 2(2), Sch. 5 Pt. I (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)

Marginal Citations

M1 1945 c. 19.

M2 1946 c. 49.

2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F9 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 2 repealed and superseded by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 21(11), Sch. 4

3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F10 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 3 repealed and superseded by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 22(8), Sch. 4

4 Safety of navigation. U.K.

(1) Part II of the M3 Coast Protection Act 1949 (which requires the consent of [F11 the Board of Trade] to the carrying out of certain works on the sea shore if obstruction or danger to navigation is likely to result) except section 34(1)(b) (which restricts the deposit of materials) shall apply in relation to any part of the sea bed in a designated area as it applies in relation to the sea shore; and section 46 of that Act (local inquiries) shall extend to any matter arising under this section.

(2) Any person guilty of an offence under the said Part II as applied by this section shall be liable, on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, and on conviction on indictment to a fine.

Textual Amendments

F11 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1965/145, arts 2, 3(2), Sch. 1

Marginal Citations

M3 1949 c. 74.

5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F12 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F12 S. 5 repealed by Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 (c. 60), Sch.

F13 6 Wireless telegraphy. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 6 repealed (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 19(1) Note 1 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Schs. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)

7 Radioactive substances. E+W

An Order in Council under [F14 section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998] may make provision for treating F15 ... [F16 for the purposes of [F17 the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154)],] any installation in an area or part with respect to which provision is made under that section and any waters within five hundred metres of such an installation as if they were situated in such part of the United Kingdom as may be specified in the Order, and for modifying the provisions F18 ... [F19 those Regulations] in their application to such an installation or waters.

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; separate versions have been created for Scotland only and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in s. 7 substituted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para. 2(3); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1) (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1))

F15 Words in s. 7 omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by virtue of The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2043), reg. 1(b), Sch. 2 para. 1(a) (with reg. 18(5))

F16 Words in s. 7 substituted (E.W.) (6.4.2010) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/675), reg. 1(1)(b), Sch. 26 para. 1(a) (with reg. 1(2), Sch. 4)

F17 Words in s. 7 substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2017) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154), reg. 1(1), Sch. 29 para. 1 (with regs. 1(3), 77-79, Sch. 4)

F18 Words in s. 7 omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by virtue of The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2043), reg. 1(b), Sch. 2 para. 1(b) (with reg. 18(5))

F19 Words in s. 7 inserted (E.W.) (6.4.2010) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/675), reg. 1(1)(b), Sch. 26 para. 1(b) (with reg. 1(2), Sch. 4)

7 Radioactive substances. S

An Order in Council under [F31 section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998] may make provision for treating for the purposes of the [F32 the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018] any installation in an area or part with respect to which provision is made under that section and any waters within five hundred metres of such an installation as if they were situated in such part of the United Kingdom as may be specified in the Order, and for modifying the provisions of [F33 those Regulations] in their application to such an installation or waters.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; separate versions have been created for England and Wales only and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F31 Words in s. 7 substituted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para. 2(3); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1) (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1))

F32 Words in s. 7 substituted (S.) (25.11.2021) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1315), art. 1(1), reg. 2(a)

F33 Words in s. 7 substituted (S.) (25.11.2021) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1315), art. 1(1), reg. 2(b)

7 Radioactive substances. N.I.

An Order in Council under [F34 section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998] may make provision for treating for the purposes of the [F35 Radioactive Substances Act 1993] and any orders and regulations made thereunder any installation in an area or part with respect to which provision is made under that section and any waters within five hundred metres of such an installation as if they were situated in such part of the United Kingdom as may be specified in the Order, and for modifying the provisions of that Act in their application to such an installation or waters.

Extent Information

E3 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; separate versions have been created for England and Wales only and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in s. 7 substituted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para. 2(3); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1) (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1))

F35 Words in s. 7 substituted (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 12, ss. 49(1), 51(2), Sch. 4 para. 1

8 Submarine cables and pipe-lines. U.K.

(1) Section 3 (punishment for damaging cables) of the M4 Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 and Article IV and paragraph 1 of Article VII (liability to pay compensation for damage to cables and for loss of gear sacrificed to avoid such damage) of the Convention set out in the Schedule to that Act (which by virtue of section 2 thereof has the force of law) shall apply in relation to all submarine cables under the high seas (and not only to those to which that Convention applies) and to pipe-lines under the high seas; and the said section 3 shall be construed as referring to telephonic as well as telegraphic communication, and, in relation to F20 ... power cables and to pipe-lines, as if the words from “in such manner” to the end of subsection (1) were omitted.

[F21 (1A) It is hereby declared that the reference in subsection (1) of this section to [F22 submarine cables and pipe-lines under the high seas includes a reference to submarine cables and pipe-lines under the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom or under waters in an area designated under [F23 section 41(3) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (exclusive economic zone).]]]

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F24

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in s. 8(1) repealed (1.1.2006) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 103(1)(a), 198(2), Sch. 23 Pts. 1; S.I. 2005/877, art. 2(3), Sch. 3

F21 S. 8(1A) inserted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para, 2(4) (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)

F22 Words in s. 8(1A) substituted (1.1.2006) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 103(1)(b), 198(2); S.I. 2005/877, art. 2(3), Sch. 3

F23 Words in s. 8(1A) substituted (31.3.2014) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 4 para. 1(2); S.I. 2013/3055, art. 2

F24 S. 8(2) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt XI

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 8(1) explained by Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975 (c. 74), s. 45(1)

Marginal Citations

M4 1885 c. 49.

9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F25 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F25 S. 9 repealed by Energy Act 1976 (c. 76), s. 22, Sch. 4 Pt. I

10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F26 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 10 repealed by Statute Law Revision (Consequential Repeals) Act 1965 (c. 55)

11 Prosecution of offences, etc. U.K.

(1) Proceedings for any offence [F27 under another Act as applied by or under this Act] may be taken, and the offence may for all incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, in any place in the United Kingdom.

(2) Where a body corporate is guilty of such an offence and the offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity he, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

In this subsection, “director” in relation to a body corporate established for the purpose of carrying on under national ownership any industry or part of an industry or undertaking, being a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of that body corporate.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F28

Textual Amendments

F27 Words substituted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 96), s. 37, Sch. 3 para. 3

F28 S. 11(3) repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch. 4

[F29 11A Interpretation. U.K.

In this Act “installation” includes any floating structure or device maintained on a station by whatever means.]

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 11A inserted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch. 3 para. 4

12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F30 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 12 repealed by Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (c. 36), Sch. 6 Pt. I

13 Short title. U.K.

This Act may be cited as the Continental Shelf Act 1964.