Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 2011 (Act No. 7 of 2011).

This Act concerns the exploration and exploitations of oil resources in Sierra Leone. It also establishes the Petroleum Directorate. It also concerns the protection of the environment from polluting activities related to the exploration and exploitations of oil resources. Notwithstanding any right of ownership or otherwise that any person may possess in and to the soil or water, in or under which petroleum is found or situated, no person shall conduct any petroleum operations except in accordance with petroleum rights granted under this Act. The following petroleum rights may be acquired under this Act:- (a) a reconnaissance permit; (b) a petroleum licence and; (c) a permit for the laying and operation of pipelines to transport petroleum produced from fields subject to more than one licence.
A social and environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Protection Act 2008 is required. The Government shall introduce and enforce integrated health, safety and environmental quality management systems with specific quality, effluent and emission targets for oil and gas related pollutants. The holder of a petroleum right shall ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent or reduce harmful effects, including the measures required in order, to the extent possible, to return the environment to the condition it had been in before the occurrence of an environmental damage. The Environmental Protection Agency may prescribe minimum safety and health requirements to be maintained at a petroleum facility or establishment.