Brief
CNR International fined £300,000 for North Sea vent consent breach
The North Sea Transition Authority imposed the penalty after the company self‑reported a 20.9‑tonne excess in venting between June and December 2024.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Canadian Natural Resources (CNR) International has been fined £300,000 for breaching its vent consent on the Ninian fields in the Northern North Sea, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) said.
What happened
The breach relates to the period 15 June – 31 December 2024, when CNR International exceeded its authorised vent limit of 272.2 tonnes by 20.9 tonnes. The company self‑reported the exceedance on 26 November 2024.
What the reports add
Both Standard and The Independent note that the company had previously been fined £250,000 in 2023 for a similar breach in the same area. The NSTA explained that equipment failures in October–November 2024 prompted CNR International to intend to apply for a higher vent consent, but the excess occurred before the application was submitted.
What was said
Jane de Lozey, director of regulation at the NSTA, said: “It is deeply disappointing that CNR breached its consent again within a year of previously breaching its vent consent for the same area. Investors and the public rightly expect this industry is held to high standards and operators must comply with their regulatory responsibilities.”
— reported by Standard and The Independent
A CNR International spokesperson said: “On 26 November 2024, CNR International identified an exceedance in venting.”
— reported by Standard and The Independent
How it came about
The NSTA’s investigation follows a series of operational problems at the Ninian fields, including equipment failure that limited the company’s ability to control venting. Earlier this year, the regulator highlighted the need for tighter monitoring of vent emissions across the North Sea, a theme also covered in Felo’s recent report on offshore compliance challenges.
Key facts
- CNR International was fined £300,000 for exceeding its vent consent. (standard.co.uk)
- The company exceeded its vent limit by 20.9 tonnes between 15 June and 31 December 2024. (standard.co.uk)
- CNR International had previously been fined £250,000 in 2023 for a similar breach. (standard.co.uk)
- The breach occurred on the Ninian fields, about 100 miles north‑east of the Shetland Islands. (standard.co.uk)
- Jane de Lozey is the NSTA director of regulation who commented on the breach. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk
- [2] independent.co.uk
