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Regulation 4(5)

SCHEDULE 3 SCHEDULE TO BE INSERTED AFTER SCHEDULE 1 TO THE OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS AND WELLS (DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, ETC.) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1996

Regulation 3(1)

“SCHEDULE 1A PREMISES AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL SEA

Interpretation

1.—(1) For the purposes of this Schedule, any structures and devices on top of a well shall be treated as forming part of the well.

(2) Any reference in this Schedule to premises and activities includes a reference to any person, article or substance on those premises or engaged in, or, as the case may be, used or for use in connection with any such activity, but does not include a reference to an aircraft which is airborne.

Installations

2.  This paragraph shall apply to and in relation to—

(a) any installation and any activity on it;

(b) any activity in connection with an installation, or any activity which is immediately preparatory thereto, whether carried on from the installation itself, on or from a vessel or in any other manner, other than—

(i) transporting, towing or navigating the installation; and

(ii) any activity in or from a vessel being used as a stand-by vessel;

(c) a diving project involving—

(i) the survey and preparation of the sea bed for an installation;

(ii) the survey and restoration of the sea bed consequent on the removal of an installation.

Wells

3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), this paragraph applies to and in relation to—

(a) a well and any activity in connection with it; and

(b) an activity which is immediately preparatory to any activity in head (a).

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) includes keeping a vessel on station for the purpose of working on a well but otherwise does not include navigation or an activity connected with navigation.”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations insert definitions of “activity”, “diving project” and “supplementary unit” into regulation 2(1) of the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (“the 1995 Regulations”). They also amend the definitions of “pipeline” and “pipeline works” and substitute for the definition of “territorial waters” the definition of “territorial sea” (regulation 2(2)).

2.  In regulation 3 of the 1995 Regulations the definition of “offshore installation” is amended by extending it to include a supplementary unit (as defined) and by modifying the reference in regulation 3(2) (excepted structures) to a mobile structure which has been taken out of use (regulation 2(3)).

3.  For regulation 4(1) of the 1995 Regulations there is substituted a new regulation 4(1) and Schedule 1 to update the provisions relating to the application of those Regulations within the territorial sea (regulation 2(4) and (7) and Schedule 1).

4.  The Regulations also amend the Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (regulation 3 and Schedule 2) and the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (regulation 4 and Schedule 3) to update the provisions relating to the application of each set of Regulations within the territorial sea.

5.  In Great Britain, the corresponding Regulations are the Offshore Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2175). Copies of the Regulatory Impact Assessment relating to those Regulations together with a Northern Ireland Supplement are held at the offices of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland at 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FR from where copies may be obtained on request.