Regulating carbon capture utilisation and storage and offshore hydrogen production

This page helps you understand the health and safety duties of those involved in carbon capture utilisation storage (CCUS) operations offshore and in pipelines or offshore hydrogen production.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers to protect workers and the public from risks arising from CCUS and offshore hydrogen production activities in Great Britain and beyond its territorial sea.

The Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and Offshore Hydrogen Production (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 extend existing offshore regulatory requirements to CCUS installations, CO₂ pipelines and offshore hydrogen production.

Who is responsible for managing the risks

You are responsible for complying with the regulations and managing risks related to CCUS and offshore hydrogen activities, if you are:

• a licensee or operator of a CCUS installation offshore
• an operator of an installation involved in offshore hydrogen production
• an operator of either an onshore or offshore CO₂ pipeline involved in CCUS
• an offshore wind or marine energy installation operator who transports inspectors
• an operator of a well involved in CCUS operations

What you must do

You must:

• treat CCUS and offshore hydrogen production as formally regulated offshore activities
• produce safety cases, submit notifications and have emergency response arrangements in place as required by the relevant offshore regulations for CCUS and offshore hydrogen installations
• ensure that CO₂ pipelines comply with PSR requirements for for design, operation, integrity management and emergency planning
• report incidents involving wells, CCUS or hydrogen operations
• comply with general health and safety law to protect workers and the public

Guidance on relevant legislation

You must comply with all legislation which applies to CCUS and offshore hydrogen production activities.

The Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and Offshore Hydrogen Production (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026

From 6 April 2026, these regulations extend existing requirements to CCUS installations, CO₂ pipelines and offshore hydrogen production. Full text of the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and Offshore Hydrogen Production (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 is on legislation.gov.uk.

Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA)

HSWA applies to all CCUS activities onshore and offshore. It requires employers to protect workers and the public from risks. Find out more about HSWA.

HSWA applies to offshore work activities on energy structures, including CCUS and hydrogen production, beyond Great Britian’s territorial sea. Details are on legislation.gov.uk, in The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2026.

Pipelines Safety Regulations (PSR)

These regulations apply to pipelines carrying CO₂ in fluid phase. If a pipeline is conveying CO2 in fluid phase, and is involved in CCUS operations it is classified as a major accident hazard pipeline. There’s separate guidance on major accident hazard pipelines.

Offshore installations regulations

Safety cases

Offshore hydrogen production and CCUS licensees, operators and owners must have safety cases and emergency response arrangements in place, and report incidents. There’s separate guidance on offshore safety cases.

The full text of The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive)(Safety Case etc) Regulations 2015 is available on legislation.gov.uk.

Installation and wells design and construction

Offshore hydrogen production and CCUS licensees, operators and owners must comply with requirements concerning the integrity of installations and the design, construction and operation of wells.

Further guidance is available in A guide to the well aspects of the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction etc) Regulations.

The full text of The Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations  is available on legislation.gov.uk.

Installations and pipeline management and administration

Offshore hydrogen production and CCUS licensees, operators and owners must comply with requirements including accommodation and subsistence for workers and inspectors, communications, helicopter operations and permits to work.

Further guidance is available in A guide to the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations.

The full text of The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations is available on legislation.gov.uk.

Prevention of fire and explosion, and emergency response

Offshore hydrogen production and CCUS licensees, operators and owners must prepare for emergencies, make arrangements for evacuation, recovery and response, and provide suitable equipment and arrangements for helicopter emergencies.

Further guidance is available in the Approved Code of Practice: Prevention of fire and explosion, and emergency response on offshore installations.

The full text of The Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations is available on legislation.gov.uk.

RIDDOR

For wells involved in CCUS operations or offshore hydrogen storage the well operator is the responsible person and must report any relevant incidents under RIDDOR.

There’s separate guidance on RIDDOR.

Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH)

COMAH only applies where CO₂ capture sites store or use other dangerous substances above COMAH thresholds.

There’s separate guidance on COMAH.