Hydrocarbon licensing in Manx waters

Summary

The requester asked the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture about hydrocarbon licensing offers and impact assessments following the 2017 round. The department responded that it does not hold the requested information because responsibility for the Petroleum Act and licensing was transferred to the Department of Infrastructure in 2017.

Key Facts

• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture does not hold the requested information regarding hydrocarbon licensing.
• Responsibility for the Petroleum Act 1986 and the 2017 hydrocarbon licensing round was transferred from the former DED to the Department of Infrastructure.
• The transfer of functions occurred under the Transfer of Functions Order 2017.
• The requester was advised to contact the Department of Infrastructure for the information.
• The request was handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• 2017
• 1986
• 2018-04-16
• 2018-04-27
• 433134

Original Request

After the 2017 licensing round, did any fossil fuel companies make offers to explore for and/or extract hydrocarbons from Manx waters. If so, were any licences granted. If so, to whom? Finally, prior to deciding to participate in the 2017 licensing round, did DEFA conduct an impact assessment to determine how extracting hydrocarbons from Manx waters would affect the Island's greenhouse gas emissions? Many thanks

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 433134 27th April 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 16 April 2018 and which states:

1. "After the 2017 licensing round, did any fossil fuel companies make offers to explore for and/or extract hydrocarbons from Manx waters. If so, were any licences granted. If so, to whom?
2. Finally, prior to deciding to participate in the 2017 licensing round, did DEFA conduct an impact assessment to determine how extracting hydrocarbons from Manx waters would affect the Island's greenhouse gas emissions? Many thanks"

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact Department of Infrastructure who may be able to help you as the Petroleum Act 1986 and the 2017 hydrocarbon licensing round were transferred from the former DED to DOI under the Transfer of Functions Order 2017 - http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2017-SD- 0325.pdf. Please quote the reference number 433134 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to us using the contact details above.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Coordinator.