Oil and gas operations involve several stages; including exploration, development, production and decommissioning. In contrast to the first three stages, the process relating to decommissioning can appear at first sight to be considerably less glamorous. Yet the technical challenges involved are increasingly regarded as comparable to those associated with constructions and installations. The legal treatment of the decommissioning process in terms of environmental protection, or on-going liabilities is now understood as a crucial part of a mature province. The United Kingdom has had a very...