COURSE OVERVIEW:

Legal and Regulatory Compliance for Geophysical and Geotechnical Surveys provides an essential guide to the complex legal framework governing subsurface data acquisition. This course addresses the multifaceted requirements that operators and contractors must navigate before, during, and after a survey. Participants will explore the diverse regulations related to environmental protection, maritime law, land access rights, and data confidentiality that vary significantly across different jurisdictions and international borders.

The coverage includes the permitting processes required for offshore seismic acquisition and onshore geotechnical drilling. Attendees will study the international standards for environmental impact assessments (EIA), with a focus on mitigating the impact of acoustic noise on marine life and ensuring site restoration after onshore operations. The scope also addresses the legal aspects of data ownership, licensing, and the "right to use" geophysical information, which is a critical component of exploration and production agreements.

Furthermore, the course addresses health, safety, and security regulations specific to survey operations. Participants will learn about the liability frameworks for accidental damage to subsea infrastructure or third-party property and the role of insurance in managing operational risks. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement, including local communities and indigenous groups, to secure the "social license" to operate. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to manage the compliance lifecycle of a survey, ensuring that projects are delivered legally, ethically, and without regulatory delays.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Define the primary legal jurisdictions governing onshore and offshore surveys.
• Navigate the permitting and licensing processes for geophysical data acquisition.
• Understand the requirements for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
• Apply international guidelines for marine mammal protection during seismic surveys.
• Manage land access rights and "Right-of-Way" agreements for onshore projects.
• Explain the legalities of data ownership, confidentiality, and intellectual property.
• Identify the regulatory requirements for the use of explosives and radioactive sources.
• Comply with maritime laws and "Notice to Mariners" during offshore operations.
• Assess the liability and insurance frameworks for survey-related damages.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and consultation processes for survey approval.
• Understand the legal implications of cross-border and transboundary surveys.
• Comply with health and safety regulations (OSHA/HSE) specific to field surveys.
• Ensure ethical standards and transparency in regulatory reporting.
• Prepare for regulatory audits and inspections of survey operations.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Project Managers, Survey Supervisors, Legal Counsel, HSE Professionals, and Regulatory Compliance Officers in the energy and mining sectors.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.