FS50725867

The complainant has requested information relating to the decision not to extend a petroleum exploration licence granted to Xcite Energy Resources for Bentley Field and to subsequently grant a 4 year licence extension for the same field to Whalsay Energy Limited a company owned by the holders of the bonds in Xcite Energy Resources. The public authority disclosed some of the requested information and withheld the remainder relying on the exemptions at sections 36(2)(b)(ii), 36(2)(c), 40(2), 41(1), 43(2) FOIA and, the exceptions at regulations 12(5)(c), 12(5)(e), 12(5)(f) and 13 EIR. The Commissioner concluded that the withheld information is environmental information within the meaning in the EIR, the public authority was entitled to withhold the information on the basis of the exception at regulation 12(5)(e) EIR and, the public authority breached regulation 11(4) EIR.