Development of new gas or oil fields in European waters should only be allowed if the company concerned has prepared a suitable emergency plan, says a resolution passed by the European Parliament.
The resolution forms Parliament’s response to a European Commission consultation paper, issued last October in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010. It could help influence new draft legislation to be tabled by the European Commission this autumn.
According to the resolution, site-specific plans for all drilling, which would have to be approved by the relevant Member State before any operation begins, would better protect the environment. Emergency plans should also identify potential hazards, assess pollution sources and effects, and outline a response strategy in the event of an accident.
The resolution calls for a provision on financial liability, requiring all oil and gas operators to show in the licensing procedure that they have sufficient funds to repair any harm to the environment that results from their activities. MEPs also agreed that the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) should coordinate response action in the event of an accident.
The resolution’s rapporteur, Vicky Ford, said: “Offshore sources is the world’s fourth largest production area and it is crucial to meeting Europe’s energy needs and our energy security. Every site, every operation should be assessed for its specific risk, and informed regulators should only allow drilling to occur if they are comfortable that the risks of that site can be, and are being, managed – and this should be the case in the Arctic and, indeed, in every sea area.”
Parliament also proposes new rules to protect whistleblowers, enabling employees to raise any security breaches or safety risks anonymously, without fear of harassment, or reprisal.
The resolution was approved on 13 September with 602 votes in favour, 64 against, and 13 abstentions.
Following the vote, Malcolm Webb, chief executive of industry body Oil & Gas UK, said it welcomed “Parliament’s recognition of the merits of the site-specific ‘safety case’ approach to regulation, in line with the existing UK system”.
He added: “Notwithstanding the UK’s strong safety record and confidence in the existing regulatory regime, the industry is not complacent and has carried out a thorough review of its operations and, where appropriate, implemented enhancements. These include the establishment of a wells forum, through which best practice can be shared, and the delivery of a capping device for the UK, which can seal off an uncontrolled subsea well in the unlikely event of a major well-control incident.”
What happens when the capping device fails? More legistlation and more safety devices, where does it end. If existing standards, pracitces etc had been diligently applied on the Deep Water Horizon this would not have happend.