Legislation and guidelines for subsoil activities

Here you will find relevant legislation, executive orders, and guidelines related to activities in the subsurface in Denmark. The page also provides guidance on applications pursuant to Section 28 of the Subsoil Act. Please contact the Danish Energy Agency for further information.

Directory of relevant documents. Please note that certain documents are only available in Danish through our Danish website.

The Danish Subsoil Act (Undergrundsloven)

1.	The Danish Subsoil Act with related executive orders, guidelines etc.
1.1	The Act:
1.1.a	Consolidated Act No. 1461 of 29 November 2023 on the use of the Danish Subsoil
1.2	Executive orders:
1.2.a	Executive order No. 1255 of 26 November 2019 on submission of information about production of hydrocarbons from Denmark’s subsoil
1.2.b	Executive Order No. 434 of 2 May 2017 on impact assessment regarding international nature conservation areas and the protection of certain species in connection with preliminary studies, exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons, underground storage, pipelines, etc. (Offshore Impact Assessment Executive Order)
1.2.c	Executive Order No. 840 of 25 June 2025 on the tasks and powers of the Danish Energy Agency
1.2.d	Executive Order No 805 of 13 August 2019 on the Use of Facilities for the Production, Processing and Transportation etc. of Hydrocarbons by Third Parties
1.2.e	Executive Order No. 845 of 26 June 2024 on geological storage of CO2 etc. (CCS Executive Order)
1.2.f	Executive Order No. 844 of 26 June 2024 on reimbursement of expenses incurred in the authorities' processing of cases in connection with underground activities, etc.
1.2.g	Executive Order No. 664 of 19 June 2006 on the rules of procedure for the Energy Board of Appeal
1.2.h	Executive Order No. 419 of 2 June 2005 on the Payment of Fees connected with Certain Licenses Issued pursuant to the Act on the Use of the Danish Subsoil
1.2.i	Executive Order No. 543 of 22. May 2025 on Submission of Samples and Other Information on Denmark's Subsoil Guidelines for submission of samples and other information on Denmark's Subsoil
1.3	Guidelines etc.
1.3.a	Model license
1.3.c	Model Parent Company Guarantee Unofficial English translation - for information only. Only guarantees in Danish wording will be accepted by the Danish Energy Agency.
1.3.d	Subsidiary Liability Declaration (updated May 2023)
1.3.e	Model Joint Operating Agreement Appendix A - Accounting Procedure
1.3.f	Guidance on third-party access to facilities for the extraction, processing and transport of hydrocarbons, which are regulated by the Act on the Use of Danish Subsoil (Subsoil Act)
1.3.g	Document concerning the reporting of financial information (non official translation)
	Documents for completing the questionnaire on 'Financial information related to decommissioning': Sikkerhedsstillelse DCU Financial Pricing Assumptions ABEX Estimate DUC Sikkerhedsstillelse NON-DUC
1.3.g.a	Underground Financial Year Wheel
1.3.h	Standard Terms and Conditions for Offshore Exploration Guidelines for Exploration
	Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE) - Description of best pratice
	DCE diagrams - Illustration of best practice
	Conditions regarding pre-investigations onshore Annex 1
	Guidelines concerning Application for Approval of a Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) (August 2015)
1.3.i	Guidelines on security and insurances for companies holding an exploration and production licences pursuant to the provisions of the Danish Subsoil Act Maximum release declaration Operators Insurance Declaration
1.3.j	Guidelines on technical capacity concerning the use and exploitation of the Danish subsoil
1.3.k	Guide to validation of an xml file with production data
1.3.l	Guidelines for drilling and well operations onshore Denmark 2024
1.3.m	Guidelines for decommissioning plans for installations used in exploration, production and transportation of oil and gas offshore (in Danish)
1.3.n	Guidelines on when approval pursuant to the Subsoil Act is required for work on existing offshore wells - workovers and well interventions offshore (in Danish)
2.0	The Pipeline Act with associated executive orders, guidelines, etc.
2.1	The Law:
2.1.a	Executive Order No. 200 of 27 February 2024 of the Act on the Establishment and Use of a Pipeline for the Transport of Crude Oil and Condensate
2.2	Announcements:
	Executive Order No. 1235 of 26 November 2024 on payment for the transport of crude oil and condensate
	Executive Order No. 190 of 26 February 2014 on cancellation of certain Executive Orders issued in accordance with the law on use of Pipeline
	Executive Order No. 844 of 26 June 2024 on reimbursement of expenses incurred in the authorities' processing of cases in connection with underground activities, etc.

Data on Oil & Gas

Reports on oil and gas activities

Offshore Safety and Inspections

Contact

Kirsten Lundt Erichsen

Special Advisor

kle@ens.dk (+45) 3392 6873