Regulation No. 721 on safety for exploration and drilling for petroleum resources on Svalbard.

This Regulation establishes a legal framework to ensure the safety of people, the environment, and economic assets during petroleum-related activities on Svalbard. The regulations cover technical, operational, and emergency preparedness requirements for exploration and drilling operations, and outline specific obligations for rights holders, including mandatory documentation, qualification of personnel, equipment standards, and reporting protocols. Oversight is conducted by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate (Havindustritilsynet), which has authority to issue permits, conduct inspections, impose penalties, and demand corrective measures.
The Regulation includes detailed provisions across various chapters, such as general provisions, investigation procedures, drilling operations, communication systems, radiation equipment, fire protection, and emergency preparedness. It mandates comprehensive planning and reporting for seismic studies, drilling operations, and well testing. Strict standards are imposed on equipment and safety systems (e.g., blowout preventers, gas detection, emergency pumps), and regular training and emergency drills are required. Violations can result in fines or shutdowns, and a strict duty of confidentiality applies to sensitive geological and operational data for up to 20 years.