The Offshore Gas Storage and Unloading (Licensing) Regulations 2009

Avoidance of harmful methods of working and ensuring security of supply

12.—(1) The Licensee shall maintain all apparatus and appliances and all Wells in the Licensed Area which have not been abandoned and plugged as provided by clause 9 in good repair and condition and shall execute all operations in or in connection with the Licensed Area in a proper and workmanlike manner in accordance with methods and practice customarily used in good storage practice and in particular the Licensee shall take all steps practicable in order—

(a) to control the flow and to prevent the escape of gas from the Licensed Area;

(b) to prevent damage to adjoining strata;

(c) to prevent the escape of gas or any other fluid into any waters in or in the vicinity of the Licensed Area; and

(d) to ensure (including by means of appropriate testing) that the apparatus and appliances are ready and in good working order at times of high national demand.

(2) The Licensee shall comply with any instructions from time to time given by the Minister in writing relating to any of the matters set out in the foregoing paragraph. If the Licensee objects to any such instruction on the ground that it is unreasonable he may, within fourteen days from the date upon which the instruction was given, refer the matter to arbitration.