The environmental permits and permissions you need for onshore oil and gas exploration and extraction in England.

Oil and gas companies, their service companies and consultants should use this guidance to understand:

  • the environmental permits you need for onshore oil and gas operations in England
  • other permissions you may need from the Environment Agency
  • information about best available techniques you must use

This guide covers these onshore oil and gas activities:

  • constructing a well pad
  • drilling wells
  • flow testing and well stimulation, including hydraulic fracturing
  • storing and handling crude oil
  • managing waste gases, including flaring
  • handling, storing and disposing of produced waters and flowback fluid
  • managing extractive wastes
  • extracting coal mine methane

It does not cover these activities: