It dealt with rights and licences to search for and get petroleum; the application of criminal and civil law to offshore activities; authorisations for submarine pipelines; and the decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines.

It also established the right to grant licenses to ‘search and bore for and get’ petroleum, to the Oil and Gas Authority; this was through the retrospective application of the Energy Act 2016.

The act also made provision for the abandonment of offshore installations and pipelines.

The regulations state that "The associated hydraulic fracturing will not take place within protected groundwater source areas".

Section 12 requires in England and Wales the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions to instigate proceedings for an offence.