Offshore Petroleum Act (No. 30 of 2007).

This Act provides rules relative to the various phases of the exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources in territorial waters, continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone of Barbados. The Act also provides for the administration of provisions of the Act.
“Petroleum operations” require a licence to be obtained under this Act from the Designated Authority, i.e. the ministry responsible for energy. The Authority may impose conditions accompanying the issue of a licence, the grant of an approval or the authorization of any matter in relation with petroleum operations. Specific licences must be obtained for reconnaissance activities, exploration and production. The Authority shall specify a work programme in an exploration licence and the applicant shall submit an environmental impact assessment to the Authority. The holder of a production licence shall submit a development plan and a decommissioning plan to the Authority. The Act defines a general environmental duty of licensees.