The framework regulations § 29

§ 29 Application for consent

The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority can, through regulations or administrative decisions, decide that the operator shall obtain consent from the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority before certain activities are initiated, which can include stipulating provisions regarding the documentation that shall accompany the application for consent. The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority can, through administrative decision, limit the consent to apply to individual stages or phases.
In the interest of ensuring safety in the offshore petroleum activities, the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority can determine, through regulations or administrative decisions, that the operator shall apply for consent prior to use or removal of a vessel.
Section last changed: 01 January 2011

The provision continues current law. A consent is an administrative decision according to the Public Administration Act, and the arrangement entails that the operator shall obtain consent from the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority at important milestones to be able to start or continue its activities. Issuing of consent is an expression of the authorities’ confidence that the operator will be able to undertake the activities within the regulatory framework, and in compliance with the information provided in the application for consent. It is evident from Section 25 of the supplementary Management Regulations in which instances consent shall be obtained. Section 26 of the Management Regulations governs the contents of applications for consent.
The option of requiring consent through administrative decision is given to cover other considerations than those mentioned in Section 25 of the Management Regulations regarding requirements for consent to certain activities.

Details regarding AoC
Obtaining an Acknowledgement of Compliance will be necessary in connection with a specific application for consent to carry out petroleum activities that involve a mobile facility, cf. Section 25. The consent will then consist of two parts: One part that covers the matters specific to location and activity, and one part that covers the facility-specific matters, which means technical condition, the applicant's organisation and management systems.