The UK Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has opened an investigation into a possible breach of field production consents, which it notes is contrary to the requirements of the licenses, the industry regulator announced Aug. 10.

The investigation follows an enquiry, which concluded that there was sufficient initial evidence to merit a full investigation into a potential failure to comply with such consents.

In an official press release, the OGA noted that the investigation will gather and assess further information to enable the OGA to reach a decision, offer the company involved the opportunity to provide written representations, and decide how the case should be resolved, among “other things."

The OGA also said that the investigation follows the publication of the thematic review into industry compliance with regulatory obligations in October 2020. The review examined compliance in six areas of interaction between the OGA and licensees and identified some very good, and improving, practice, but noted the need for further improvement. The review also warned that sanctions could follow in cases where breaches were found.  

Last month, the OGA had fined BP plc $69,089 and served the company a sanction notice for breaching a license condition in the North Sea by failing to report the progress and results of two extended well tests.