Green-minded MEPs urge the EU to learn lessons of Gulf of Mexico spill.
The European Commission is under renewed pressure to ban all deep-sea drilling for oil in European waters, as green-minded MEPs urge the EU to “learn the lessons” of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The European Parliament’s environment committee voted on Tuesday (28 September) by a large majority – 46 in favour, 8 against and 3 abstentions – for a freeze on any new deep-sea drilling while existing safety and liability laws are reviewed.
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The non-binding resolution – to be put to the full Parliament next week (6 October) – aims to put pressure on the Commission as it finalises a response to the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Günther Oettinger, the European commissioner for energy, is to report in mid-October on whether Europe should pass tougher regulations on deep-sea drilling.
In July, the Commission began a ‘stress-test’ of current laws, aimed at identifying gaps or weaknesses on licensing and regulating deep-sea drilling, as well as company liability for accidents.
One industry insider said it was doubtful that Oettinger would propose a temporary ban on drilling. The combination of deep-water, high-pressure drilling that proved fatal in the Gulf of Mexico was unusual, the source said.
Franziska Achterberg of Greenpeace’s Brussels office, does not expect a ban, but argued that all drilling at depths of 200 metres should be stopped. “We have seen with the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe that deep-water drilling isn’t under control,” she said.
“We are concerned that the industry is going ahead with business as usual.”
In late July, Oettinger said that early results of the stress test showed that Europe had “solid and safe” EU and national regulations, although he signalled there was room for improvement.
The commissioner is likely to call for European agencies to take a bigger role in preventing disasters and may also propose revising EU legislation on liability.
The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers would not comment in the time available. Two energy companies that European Voice contacted referred requests for comments to the industry association. Two other companies did not respond to phone calls and e-mails.