Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorizations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons.

Member States retain the right to determine the areas within their respective territories to be made available for the exercise of the activities of prospecting, exploring for and producing hydrocarbons. On the other hand, Member States shall ensure that authorizations to carry out the activities above-mentioned are granted following a procedure in which all interested entities may submit applications (principle of non discrimination). Further provisions regard the overall conditions under which the authorizations shall be granted.