On 6 November 2014, the Government announced the appointment of Andy Samuel, currently Managing Director of BG Group's Exploration and Production in Europe, as Chief Executive of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). This announcement was coupled with a Call for Evidence from Government to industry asking industry how best to deliver the next stage of Sir Ian Wood's recommendations.
The Wood Review, published in February 2014, made four main recommendations for maximising economic recovery from the UKCS:
- Government and Industry should develop and commit to a new strategy for maximising economic recovery from the UKCS (MER UK)
- Stewardship of the UKCS should move to a new, better resourced, arm's length body, funded by Industry
- The body should be provided with additional powers to implement MER UK
- The new body should work with Industry to develop and implement new sector strategies, such as an exploration and decommissioning cost reduction
Government welcomed and accepted Sir Ian's report and has taken measures to work towards achieving the main recommendations by forming an Interim Advisory Panel, chaired by Sir Ian Wood, which has a role in advising on Wood Review implementation.
In July, the government published its formal response to the Review, and set out its proposals for implementing the Review's recommendations. The key proposal is the establishment of the OGA as a successor of the DECC, as quickly as possible.
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