On 12 September 2011, Jason Lovell – one of our clean energy lawyers published this post regarding the Oil and Gas Clause and asked whether it could signify a change in practice for offshore leasing. James Trafford, another of our clean energy lawyers wrote the following in response:
It is interesting that a good few months have passed now since Chris Huhne's ministerial statement on 12 July referenced in Jason's blog. I am not aware of The Crown Estate having yet issued updated documentation (which was mentioned in the statement) so are offshore operators feeling more comfortable off the back of the minister's comments or are they waiting for something more tangible? My experience is that operators and financiers have been more than a little concerned by the provision (particularly as the new proposed wind farms are significantly bigger and stretching far offshore) so I would fancy the latter.
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