This interactive map has been produced by NSTA to assist companies and members of the public with information that will help understand oil and gas exploration and production activity in the UK’s Territorial Sea and its designated Continental Shelf (“the offshore area”).Licences that are awarded by NSTA may contain conditions to protect environmental interests, and the interests of other sea users. In addition, activities carried out under the licences will be subject to a range of legislation which is designed to protect the marine environment, including regulations which apply the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives to offshore oil and gas activities.The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is the unit within DESNZ responsible for ensuring that the economic exploitation of offshore energy resources takes full account of environmental and social objectives.