CAR Licences for Deep Boreholes - Information Requirements

Overview

SEPA is consulting on our proposed new guidance

CAR Licences for Deep Boreholes - Information Requirements

The guidance is directed at anybody planning to drill and operate a deep borehole in Scotland. It is designed to help them with their application by setting out the minimum information SEPA require to review a deep borehole licence application. This in turn should help improve the quality of applications SEPA receive and therefore improve the efficiency of the licencing process.

All deep boreholes drilled from April 2013 require a licence under The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR) from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). A deep borehole is one that is drilled to or beyond 200m in depth including, but not limited to, deep boreholes drilled for the purpose of unconventional gas extraction, mineral exploration or geothermal energy extraction. However, please note that there is currently a moratorium on granting consents for unconventional gas and underground coal gasification. Therefore, SEPA must refer to the Scottish Government applications for deep boreholes for the purpose of these activities.

Why your views matter

We are seeking views from from interested parties including drillers, consultants and developers involved in the construction and operation of deep boreholes on our proposed new guidance. We especially want to know if it adequately specifies and explains the information we require to assess a deep borehole application.