Committee for the Economy

Committee Stage - Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill

The Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill was introduced by the Minister for the Economy on 13 April 2026.  The Bill completed its Second Stage on 27 April 2026.

The purpose of the Bill is to introduce a ban on issuing licences for all forms of onshore petroleum exploration and production in Northern Ireland through amendments to The Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and further amending regulations. This means it will not be possible for individuals or companies to explore for or produce oil and gas in the onshore area of Northern Ireland. This includes all forms of oil and gas and all the different techniques for accessing them.

Further information on the Bill can be found by following the links below:

• Read the Bill as introduced
• Read the Bill's Explanatory and Financial Memorandum

As part of the Assembly’s legislative processes, the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill has been referred to the Assembly’s Committee for the Economy so that the Committee can consider and take evidence on the Bill and report its opinion to the Assembly.

Call for Evidence

As part of the Committee Stage, the Committee is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill and would welcome your views and comments on its contents.

How to submit your views

The Committee has now launched its consultation, inviting you to have your say on the Bill's content. The consultation takes the form of an online survey, hosted on our Citizen Space website.

Your views will help to inform the Committee's consideration of the Bill and any recommendations it may suggest as it moves to the next stage of the legislative process.

Please find a link to the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill  Survey below:

Launch the survey on the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill 

The closing date for completing the survey is 24 June 2026.

If you have any questions or would like to request a different format for submitting your views, please get in touch using the contact details below.

Useful Information

View the current progress of the Bill and all related information
Guide to submitting evidence to Assembly Committees in written or other formats
Understanding a Bill: a guide for stakeholders
Assembly Committees Privacy Notice

Quick Links

Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Bill
Minutes of Evidence (Official Report)
Research Papers
Departmental Papers and Correspondence
Written Submissions

Contact us

If you have any queries or require any further information about the call for evidence or the Committee Stage of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill, please contact the Committee Clerk:

Address: Room 245, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw,Stormont,
Belfast, BT4 3XX

Email: Committee.Economy@niassembly.gov.uk

Telephone: (028) 905 21821