10. Where one or more of the conditions set out in paragraph 9, sixth subparagraph, points (a) to (e), apply and a shutdown is required before the repair or replacement can be undertaken, operators shall minimise the leak within 24 hours of detection and shall repair the leak by the end of the next scheduled shutdown or within a year, whichever is sooner, unless carrying out an earlier repair could reasonably be expected to lead to a situation whereby the amount of methane vented during repair operations would very likely be significantly higher than the amount of methane that would leak in the absence of a repair, or unless carrying out an earlier repair could reasonably be expected to lead to security of supply issues in small connected systems as defined in Directive (EU) 2019/944.
An operator shall, without delay, provide all the necessary evidence justifying its decision to delay repair to the competent authorities.
A decision to delay repair due to safety, administrative and technical considerations shall be subject to approval by the competent authorities and shall be included in the repair and monitoring schedules. The competent authorities may require the operator concerned to amend the repair and monitoring schedules taking into account the requirements of this Regulation.