| Better regulation essential to avoid Deepwater Horizon Europe |
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7 September | Press release The legal framework governing offshore oil drilling in Europe is full of holes. Remarkably for such a high risk industry, no Europe-wide system exists to ensure the safe operation of rigs or to cope with the fallout from an accident like the Deepwater Horizon disaster. This week the European Parliament is debating the implications of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and putting questions to the Council of Ministers on how it plans to secure the safety of deep-sea drilling in European waters. Environmental law organisation ClientEarth has produced a report to inform this review. It concludes that a comprehensive overhaul and new package of laws is crucial to avoid a repeat of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on EU territory. Susie Wilks, environment lawyer at ClientEarth, said: “The EU laws currently controlling dangerous activities like chemical facilities, mining and transporting oil by sea do not account for offshore drilling." “Many important aspects of oil drilling and deep-sea exploration are not covered by international conventions either, and there are no international rules on liability and financial security for clean-up costs following a major leak. The EU must step in to make sure these dangerous gaps are addressed." “We fully support the call by energy commissioner Oettinger for a moratorium on deep-sea drilling until the causes of Deepwater Horizon are understood and preventative measures can be taken. Given the current lack of regulation, this is urgently needed.”
More rigorous rules for offshore installations requiring: major accident prevention policies; improved safety reports; emergency response plans at operator and Member State level; systematic inspection of installations according to designated criteria; exchange of information on risks and best practice between member states and with the Commission. An EU-level agency ensuring full implementation and enforcement of these measures. The European Maritime Safety Agency is a clear candidate for this role. Mandatory environmental impact assessments for the exploratory, operational and decommissioned phases of all seabed exploitation. A comprehensive framework for assigning liability and guaranteeing that companies have finance in place to compensate for damage caused to the environment by offshore accidents. National authorities to be prohibited from issuing offshore drilling licences unless all of the above requirements are met.
ENDS To read a copy of the legislative briefing click here |
