Commentary on Sections New Section 10G: Compulsory modifications of pipelines
407.This section gives the Secretary of State the power to issue a pipeline modification notice in respect of upstream petroleum pipelines, on the application of a person other than the owner. A notice can be issued to the applicant and owner of the pipeline only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the capacity of the pipeline can be increased by modifying the apparatus and works associated with the pipeline, or that the pipeline can and should be modified by installing junctions to connect it to other pipelines. A modification notice also covers any changes, substitutions, or additions in relation to apparatus and works associated with the pipeline. (see subsection (5)).
408.Subsection (3) sets out that the notice must:
	Specify the modifications that the Secretary of State thinks should be made.
	Specify the sums or method of determining the sums which the Secretary of State thinks should be paid to the owner by the applicant to pay for the costs of carrying out the modifications.
	Require the applicant to make arrangements to ensure those sums will be paid to the owner if the owner carries out the modifications or satisfies the Secretary of State that they will be carried out.
	Specify the period in which those financial arrangements must be made.
	Require the owner to carry out the modifications within a period specified in the notice.
	Authorise the owner to recover the sums from the applicant if the works are carried out or the Secretary of State is satisfied that they will be carried out.
409.Furthermore, before issuing the notice subsection (4) requires the Secretary of State to give the owner of the pipe-line an opportunity to be heard.
410.Subsection (6) clarifies that if a pipeline is offshore (i.e. it falls into the section 14 Petroleum Act 1998 definition of “controlled pipeline”), the modification provisions under that Act will apply (see section 16 Petroleum Act 1998) instead of the provisions under this new section 10G of the Pipe-lines Act 1962.