Reference: Workplace Safety and Health (Facilities) (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations, 2013

Regulation 12

1. Subject to sub-regulation (2), a well operator shall ensure that no well operation is started unless he has sent a notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 6 to the competent authority at least 21 days (or such shorter period as the competent authority may specify) before the start of that operation.

2. A well operator shall ensure that no well operation which involves -

• insertion of a hollow pipe in the well; or

• altering the construction of the well,

is started unless he has sent a notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 6 to the competent authority at least 10 days (or such shorter period as the competent authority may specify) before the start of that operation.

3. Where there is a material change in any of the particulars notified pursuant to sub-regulations (1) and (2) prior to completion of the relevant well operation, the well operator shall, as soon as practicable, notify the competent authority of that change.

Well Operation Definition (Regulation 3(1))

• the drilling or construction of a well, including the restart of drilling after a well has been completed, suspended or abandoned by plugging; or

• any activity in relation to a well during which there may be an accidental release of hazardous substances from that well which could give rise to the risk of a major accident

Material Change (Regulation 3(1))

any change in design or operations that is significant to require a re-submission of the notification or Safety Case, and includes -
(a) physical changes to the plant;
(b) changes to operational parameters;
(c) organisational or staff changes; or
(d) change in risk profile;

Particulars in Notification of Well Operation - Schedule 6