The purpose of the study is to assess whether the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and the Ministry of Taxation have administered the Danish oil and gas exploration and production licences in the North Sea in a satisfactory manner. The report answers the following questions:
- Has the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities handled transfer of exploration and production licences in a satisfactory manner?
- Has the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities’ supervision of the licensees’ use of the Danish section of the North Sea underground been satisfactory?
- Has the Ministry of Taxation administered taxation of the licence-holding companies in the Danish section of the North Sea in a satisfactory manner?
It is Rigsrevisionen’s assessment that the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities’ administration of the Danish oil and gas exploration and production licences in the Danish section of the North Sea has not been entirely satisfactory, whereas the Ministry of Taxation’s administration has been satisfactory. The consequence is that the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities has not obtained adequate assurance that the licensees comply with the conditions of their permissions and that activities are undertaken in accordance with the Danish Subsoil Act.
The study was initiated in December 2020 at the request of the Danish Public Accounts Committee.
Read the introduction and conclusion (PDF)