Safety of Offshore Hydrocarbons Operations
The offshore hydrocarbons operations are regulated by the Health and Safety at Work (Safety of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations) Regulations (P.I.424/2015). These Regulations are harmonizing part of the Directive 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on safety of offshore oil and gas operations and amending Directive 2004/35/EC.
The main provisions of the Regulations are:
Competent authority for the implementation of the abovementioned Regulations is the Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance.
More information you can find on the website of the Department of Labour Inspection.
Environmental Impact Assessment from Hydrocarbons Activities
In 2008 the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, according to the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment from Certain Plans and/or Programs Law (L.102(I)/2005), assigned to a consortium of consultants the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (“SEIA”) Study concerning hydrocarbons activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus. The overall objective of the SEIA study was to identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant environmental impacts of implementing hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation activities within the EEZ of the Republic. The SEIA was submitted to the Department of Environment (Environmental Authority) for evaluation and the Environmental Authority issued a relative environmental opinion.
Additionally, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment from Certain Projects Law (L.127(I0/2018), for drilling an exploration well or for the production of hydrocarbons the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment Study (“EIAS”) is required. The Competent Authority according to the Law is the Department of Environment. The EIAS is evaluated by the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee and the Environmental Authority (Department of Environment) issues an Environmental Approval, which includes terms, which the licensee is bound to follow and comply.
More information you can find on the website of the Department of Environment.
Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil (Offshore Protocol)
The Republic of Cyprus was among of the first Mediterranean countries which ratified the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil (Offshore Protocol) of the Barcelona Convention, with the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution and on Relevant Protocols (Ratification) (Amending) Law (L.20(III)/2001).
This Protocol covers the hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation activities, including the acquisition of seismic surveys for hydrocarbons and pipelines transporting hydrocarbons. The Offshore Protocol entered into force on 2011 and the competent authority is the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
More information you can find on the website of the Department of Environment.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector
Its key objective is to eliminate avoidable methane releases and minimize leaks in both the EU and its global supply chains. The Regulation introduces measures, including improved methane measurement, reporting, and verification protocols, and mandates leak detection and repair (LDAR) practices. It also bans venting and flaring, allowing such practices only under specific, exceptional circumstances.
Competent authority in Cyprus for this Regulation is the Department of Environment.
