Royal Decree No. 2 of 1999 defining the inviolable areas alongside oil and gas pipelines.

This Royal Decree is composed of 5 articles. Existing and future pipelines are to be surrounded by an inviolable buffer zone 20 metres wide measured from the centre of the pipe. The Ministry of Oil and Gas is to define these inviolable rights of way in coordination with the Supreme Council for Town planning (art. 1). Public service projects are to respect these rights of way. No activities are permitted within these rights of way, be they on the ground, above ground or underground. Exceptions to this are when pipelines cross roads, bridges, tunnels, walls, water canals, irrigation channels (aflaj), electric lines, communication lines, and water distribution pipes so long as there is prior approval from the Ministry of Oil and Gas (art. 3). Any buildings found within the pipeline rights of way after the Decree enters into force will be removed at the transgressor’s expense (art. 4).