WhatsAppShort answer
Closure falls within the scope of the NCEC Permits regulation, and NCEC can write closure controls into the Permit to Operate. You apply for closure approval at least 30 days after the last production run, once all hazardous and non-hazardous waste has been disposed of through licensed providers. The application includes a closure plan with a timetable, a rehabilitation or remediation plan, waste disposal invoices and an undertaking, and the approval is valid for 120 days unless NCEC extends it. Violating closure controls carries 5,000, 20,000 or 50,000 riyals per requirement for Category 1, 2 or 3 activities.
Key terms used in this guide 14 terms
- Category 1 activities
- Activities expected to produce low environmental impact that does not exceed the perimeter of the activity's site. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الأولى (meaning “activities of the first category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), First
- Closure of an activity
- Complete closure or removal of an activity (translated from the Arabic guide). Arabic: إغلاق نشاط (meaning “closure of an activity”) Permit guide, definitions
- Compensation
- Monetary amount paid by the person who causes the damage, pollution or environmental degradation, to compensate for or eliminate the resulting deterioration. It includes rehabilitation expenses if the person causing the damage did not carry out the rehabilitation. Arabic: التعويضات (meaning “the compensations”) Aqueous reg. Art. 1
- Environmental degradation
- Severe damage to the environment caused by the depletion of natural resources, the destruction of natural habitats, the extinction of wildlife species, or the pollution of environmental media and the deterioration of air, water and soil quality. Arabic: التدهور البيئي (meaning “environmental deterioration”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Environmental monitoring reports
- Reports that facilities must submit through environmental service providers based on the permit conditions, presenting monitoring results for a set period (weekly, half-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual) as stated in the permit conditions (translated from the Arabic guide). Arabic: تقارير المراقبة البيئية (meaning “environmental monitoring reports”) Monitoring report guide, sections 2 and 4
- Environmental permit to operate
- A document issued by the Center to a person granting him the permission to operate the activity. Arabic: التصريح البيئي للتشغيل (meaning “the environmental permit for operation”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Environmental rehabilitation
- Any procedure conducted on an environmentally degraded site or one that is affected by environmental damage or pollution, to restore its natural state of environmental balance, in accordance with the standards set by the competent authority. Arabic: إعادة التأهيل البيئي (meaning “environmental re-qualification (restoring to a fit state)”) Rehab reg. Art. 1
- Expansion
- Any action that increases the size of the activity, such as adding a production line (translated from the Arabic guide). Arabic: توسعة (meaning “expansion (widening)”) Permit guide, definitions
- Financial dues
- An amount of money collected by the competent center from a person for the purpose of issuing or renewing licenses or permits or for providing environmental services. Arabic: المقابل المالي (meaning “the financial consideration”) Fees reg. Art. 1
- Plan completion notice
- Notice obtained after a rehabilitation or remediation plan has been implemented. Approval of the plan does not release the bank guarantee until the plan is implemented and this notice is obtained. Arabic: إشعار إتمام تنفيذ الخطة (meaning “notice of completion of implementing the plan”) Rehab guide, section 2 (d)
- Rehabilitation plan
- Plan that must be submitted to NCEC for certain Category 1 activities designated at classification, as part of a Category 2 or 3 EIA, whenever an incident requires rehabilitation of the damaged site, or on NCEC request after inspections or audits. Arabic: خطة إعادة التأهيل البيئي للمواقع المتدهورة (meaning “plan for the environmental rehabilitation of degraded sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)
- Remediation of polluted sites
- Any procedure conducted on a polluted site to restore it to its natural state of environmental balance in accordance with the requirements of the competent authority. Arabic: معالجة المواقع الملوثة (meaning “treatment of polluted sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 1
- Remediation plan
- Plan that must be developed and submitted to NCEC when any environmental pollution incident occurs while the activity is being set up, operated or closed, or on NCEC request after inspections or audits. Arabic: خطة معالجة المواقع الملوثة (meaning “plan for treating polluted sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 5, Second (1)
- Service provider
- A person licensed by the competent authority to provide environmental services. The Audit regulation uses the singular مقدم الخدمة (meaning the service provider) for a person licensed by the Center. Arabic: مقدمو الخدمات (meaning “the service providers (those who provide the services)”) SP reg. (1446H) Art. 1 and Audit reg. (1446H) Art. 1
On this page
Does NCEC regulate closure?
Yes. The Permits regulation applies to owners and operators of new and existing activities, including establishing, operating, adjusting, adding, expanding and closing the activity.Permits reg. Art. 2
NCEC may include closure controls and requirements in the conditions of the Permit to Operate.Permits reg. Art. 9(9)
The model operating permit conditions require you, on closure, to apply to NCEC with a closure plan and timetable prepared by an NCEC licensed environmental service provider.Permit guide, Appendix 2, item 9
The Environmental Law also requires permit holders to rehabilitate environmental media degraded by their activities.Env Law Art. 8(6)
When can you apply for closure approval?
The NCEC permit guide says you apply for closure at least 30 days after the last production run.Permit guide, section 11.2(a)
Before applying, all hazardous and non-hazardous production waste must be disposed of through a provider licensed by the relevant government authorities.Permit guide, section 11.2(b)
NCEC issues a closure approval acknowledgement once the requirements are met. It is valid for 120 days, and NCEC may extend it depending on the size of the activity.Permit guide, section 11.1
Waste has to be gone before the application is filed, so book licensed transport and disposal while production winds down. Keep every disposal invoice, because NCEC asks for them.
What documents do you submit?
The permit guide lists these closure approval requirements:Permit guide, section 11.2.1
- A closure plan with a timetable.Permit guide, section 11.2.1(a)
- A rehabilitation plan for degraded sites or a remediation plan for polluted sites, as the executive regulations require.Permit guide, section 11.2.1(b)
- Invoices for disposal of all hazardous and non-hazardous waste from licensed providers.Permit guide, section 11.2.1(c)
- An undertaking to implement the plan in the manner and time it sets.Permit guide, section 11.2.1(d)
- Any other requirement NCEC considers necessary, and payment of the financial dues.Permit guide, section 11.2.1(e) and (f)
The ceilings table of the Financial Dues regulation has no specific line for closure approval, although the permit guide requires payment of dues.Fees reg. Appendix 1
What does the rehabilitation or remediation plan involve?
A remediation plan is required when a pollution incident occurs while the activity is being set up, operated or closed, or when NCEC requests one after an inspection or audit.Rehab reg. Art. 5, Second (1)
After a pollution incident, you have 10 working days to submit the remediation plan, and NCEC decides within 10 working days.Rehab reg. Appendix 1
Rehabilitation and remediation plans must be prepared by a licensed service provider. In exceptional cases NCEC may accept highly expert entities it approves.Rehab reg. Art. 5, Third
The NCEC rehabilitation plans guideline expects the facilities section to explain how you will remove:Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
- Buildings, structures and other infrastructure.Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
- Machinery, equipment and storage tanks.Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
- Foundations, concrete slabs and construction and demolition waste.Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
- Hazardous waste, chemicals and any asbestos-containing or radioactive materials.Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
The plan's cost section should state the form and value of the financial guarantees to be provided.Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 23
The NCEC guide on rehabilitation and remediation plans asks the approval application to include:Rehab guide, section 4
- An implementation timeline approved by the plan implementer.Rehab guide, section 4(c)
- An undertaking to implement the plan as recommended.Rehab guide, section 4(d)
- A contract with an implementer licensed by NCEC for rehabilitation or remediation works.Rehab guide, section 4(e)
- Waste transport and disposal contracts with licensed providers.Rehab guide, section 4(f)
- Government approval if residues from the works will be treated, recycled or reused.Rehab guide, section 4(g)
When is the bank guarantee released?
Approval of a rehabilitation plan does not release the bank guarantee. It stays in place until the plan is implemented and a plan completion notice is obtained.Rehab guide, section 2(d)
The model closure approval conditions in the permit guide carry the same statement about the bank guarantee.Permit guide, Appendix 3
The model closure approval conditions also require you to:Permit guide, Appendix 3
- Provide workers with protective equipment during the works.Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (b)
- Obtain NCEC approval before changing the plan.Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (c)
- Submit periodic monitoring reports to the regional NCEC branch at the interval set in the approval.Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (h)
- Submit a final completion report approved by the plan implementer.Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (i)
- Apply to the regional branch for a plan completion notice when the works are finished.Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (j)
Progress reports during the works must include photographs, analysis results and an updated timeline, and any incident must be reported to NCEC promptly.Rehab reg. Art. 7(2) and (3)
None of these sources states the amount of the bank guarantee or a period for its release.
What do the sector guidelines add?
The NCEC solar power plant guideline requires a technical environmental assessment at closure under the Rehabilitation regulation. Its purpose is to confirm that past activities have not contaminated soil or groundwater.Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
Under that guideline, the assessment includes:Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
- Satellite images documenting any past solid or liquid waste disposal on site.Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
- Soil and groundwater samples from wells or trial pits.Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
- Samples from nearby surface water receptors.Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
The closure plan is prepared by a licensed entity, approved by NCEC and implemented by an accredited entity.Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
The offshore oil and gas guideline adds a technical assessment comparing decommissioning options. Where leaving structures in place is shown to be less harmful than removal, that option can be considered after NCEC approval.Sector guideline (Offshore oil and gas), p. 56 to 57
The same guideline expects a preliminary decommissioning plan that is developed during operations and finalised before field work ends.Sector guideline (Offshore oil and gas), p. 57
What can go wrong?
Typical closure problems and their consequences:
- Violating NCEC closure controls carries 5,000, 20,000 or 50,000 riyals per requirement for Category 1, 2 or 3 activities, plus rectification, repair of damage and compensation.Permits reg. Art. 11, Table 2 (2024), item 8
- A 1446H ministerial decision re-issued the Permits regulation penalty table and classed every violation, including closure breaches, as serious. The amounts did not change.Decision 15029124 (1446H)
- Changing the closure or rehabilitation plan without NCEC approval makes the approval void.Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (l)
- Implementing a rehabilitation or remediation plan before NCEC approves it carries 10,000, 20,000 or 30,000 riyals for Category 1, 2 or 3.Rehab reg. Art. 8, Table 1 (2024), item 7
- Refraining from implementing an approved plan carries 15,000, 30,000 or 100,000 riyals for Category 1, 2 or 3.Rehab reg. Art. 8, Table 1 (2024), item 2
- Inaccurate information in a rehabilitation or remediation plan carries 10,000 to 100,000 riyals and referral to the Public Prosecution.Rehab reg. Art. 8, Table 1 (2024), item 1
- Filing before the waste is cleared, or without disposal invoices, misses two listed requirements.Permit guide, section 11.2.1
- Never applying for the completion notice leaves the bank guarantee unreleased.Rehab guide, section 2(d)
Closure checklist
A short checklist for planning closure:
- Check your Permit to Operate for closure conditions.Permits reg. Art. 9(9)
- Clear all waste through licensed providers and keep the invoices.Permit guide, section 11.2.1(c)
- Commission the closure plan and the rehabilitation or remediation plan from a licensed provider.Permit guide, Appendix 2, item 9 and Rehab reg. Art. 5, Third
- Apply no earlier than 30 days after the last production run.Permit guide, section 11.2(a)
- Report progress, submit the final report and apply for the completion notice.Permit guide, Appendix 3, items (h) to (j)
Hills & Field prepares closure, rehabilitation and remediation plans and supports the NCEC closure approval through to the completion notice.
References
Each small number in this guide shows the article or section that point comes from. Hover over or tap a number to see it, or open the full list below.
Show all 44 references and the 10 regulation texts
- Permits reg. Art. 2
- Permits reg. Art. 9(9)
- Permit guide, Appendix 2, item 9
- Env Law Art. 8(6)
- Permit guide, section 11.2(a)
- Permit guide, section 11.2(b)
- Permit guide, section 11.1
- Permit guide, section 11.2.1
- Permit guide, section 11.2.1(a)
- Permit guide, section 11.2.1(b)
- Permit guide, section 11.2.1(c)
- Permit guide, section 11.2.1(d)
- Permit guide, section 11.2.1(e) and (f)
- Fees reg. Appendix 1
- Rehab reg. Art. 5, Second (1)
- Rehab reg. Appendix 1
- Rehab reg. Art. 5, Third
- Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
- Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 23
- Rehab guide, section 4
- Rehab guide, section 4(c)
- Rehab guide, section 4(d)
- Rehab guide, section 4(e)
- Rehab guide, section 4(f)
- Rehab guide, section 4(g)
- Rehab guide, section 2(d)
- Permit guide, Appendix 3
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (b)
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (c)
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (h)
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (i)
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (j)
- Rehab reg. Art. 7(2) and (3)
- Sector guideline (Solar), p. 26
- Sector guideline (Offshore oil and gas), p. 56 to 57
- Sector guideline (Offshore oil and gas), p. 57
- Permits reg. Art. 11, Table 2 (2024), item 8
- Decision 15029124 (1446H)
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, item (l)
- Rehab reg. Art. 8, Table 1 (2024), item 7
- Rehab reg. Art. 8, Table 1 (2024), item 2
- Rehab reg. Art. 8, Table 1 (2024), item 1
- Permit guide, Appendix 2, item 9 and Rehab reg. Art. 5, Third
- Permit guide, Appendix 3, items (h) to (j)
How to read these references 9 texts cited
- Rehabilitation plans guide
- NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Rehabilitation Plans of Degraded Sites (EP-M-40)
- Sector guideline (Solar)
- NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Solar Power Plants
- Sector guideline (Offshore oil and gas)
- NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Offshore Crude Oil and Gas Extraction Facilities
- Art. 7(4)(b) means Article 7, paragraph 4, item (b).
- First, Second and Third are the numbered parts some articles are divided into. The Arabic texts write them أولاً، ثانياً، ثالثاً (meaning first, second, third).
- Decision followed by a number is a ministerial or Council of Ministers decision. Most of the 1446H decisions replaced a regulation's penalty table.
- H after a year marks the Hijri (Islamic calendar) year. 1446H ran from July 2024 to June 2025.
Every text we cite is listed on our regulations page.
Regulation texts this guide is written from
- Executive Regulations for Environmental Permits to Establish and Operate Activities
- NCEC guide to issuing and renewing environmental permits for the construction and operation of activities (LO-1-M-005)
- Executive Regulations for the Environmental Rehabilitation of Degraded Sites and Remediation of Polluted Sites
- NCEC guide to the requirements for preparing and implementing rehabilitation and remediation plans (LO-1-M-002)
- NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Rehabilitation Plans of Degraded Sites (EP-M-40-V01)
- NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Solar Power Plants
- NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Offshore Crude Oil and Gas Extraction Facilities
- Executive Regulation for Controls and Procedures Pertaining to Financial Dues for Environmental Licenses, Permits and Services
- Ministerial Decision 15029124 (1446H) amending Table 2 of the Permits regulation
- Environmental Law (Royal Decree M/165)
This guide is general information written from the regulation texts listed above. It is not legal advice. Regulations change, and the official text always prevails. Spotted something out of date? Request a change.