Canadian Natural Resources (CNR) International has been fined £300,000 for breaching offshore regulations in the North Sea.
The company exceeded its vent consent at its Ninian fields, located around 100 miles north-east of the Shetland Islands, by 20.9 tonnes. The breach was self-reported to the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) on November 26 2024, after the firm exceeded its consent limit of 272.2 tonnes for the period June 15 to December 31 2024.
Previous fine and equipment issues
This is not the first time CNR International has faced a penalty for this issue. The company was fined £250,000 in 2023 for the same problem.
According to the NSTA, the company experienced a number of difficulties in October-November 2024, including equipment failure. As a result, it intended to apply for an increase in its vent consent for the remainder of the year. However, the vent consent was already exceeded before the application was submitted, and CNR International informed the authority the same day the exceedance was discovered.
Regulator response and company statement
Jane de Lozey, NSTA director of regulation, 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.”
A CNR International spokesperson said: “On November 26 2024, CNR International identified an exceedance in venting volumes and reported it to the NSTA.
“The exceedance was a result of a third-party pipeline equipment failure and weather-related conditions.
“We take our regulatory responsibilities seriously and have strengthened our monitoring and oversight processes to identify and prevent exceeding consent of vented volumes.
“CNR International remains committed to safe, responsible operations and to supporting the North Sea industry’s efforts to reduce emissions.”
