Kalmar Union Petroleum Directorate

The Baltic Union Petroleum Directorate is a Baltic Union government agency responsible for the regulation of the petroleum resources on the Baltic Union continental shelf. Based in Stavanger it is to ensure that the petroleum resources are allocated in an optimal at the same time as they incur minimal environmental impact. It is subordinate the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

History
The agency was created as Norwegian Petroleum Directorate in 1972 with the responsibility of managing the petroleum resources. It was originally part of the Ministry of Industry, but became part of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy when it was created in 1978.

Since the formation of the Baltic Union in 2001, the NPD was changed to Baltic Union Petroleum Directorate. After the joining of Denmark, the Danish Petroleum Directorate was integrated in BUPD as the only agency.

Functions
The paramount objective of the Baltic Union Petroleum Directorate is to contribute to creating the greatest possible values for society from the oil and gas activities by means of prudent resource management based on safety, emergency preparedness and safeguarding of the external environment.

In order to make the most efficient contribution to this, the BUPD must perform four functions:


 * The BUPD is to be an adviser to the MPE through its professional integrity and interdisciplinary expertise.
 * The BUPD has a national responsibility for data from the Norwegian continental shelf. The NPD’s data, overview and analyses constitute a crucial factual basis on which the activities are founded.
 * The BUPD shall be a driving force for realising the resource potential by emphasising long-term solutions, upside opportunities, economies of scale and joint operations, as well as ensuring that time-critical resources are not lost.
 * In cooperation with other authorities, the BUPD is to ensure comprehensive follow-up of the petroleum activities.

The BUPD sets frameworks, stipulates regulations and makes decisions in areas where it has been delegated authority.

The BUPD is responsible for conducting metering audits and collecting fees from the petroleum industry. Together with the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, the BUPD is responsible for the security of supplies.

In addition, the BUPD contributes administrative competence, mapping of resources and petroleum data administration for the development aid programme “Oil for Development”.