IADC Supports New EU Directive on Offshore Drilling Safety

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has welcomed the European Union’s authorization of a new directive on safety of offshore oil and gas activities.

The legislation, approved on Tuesday, 21 May, requires operators to submit emergency response plans and hazard reports before undertaking operations, along with evidence that liabilities can be handled.

“IADC worked with the OGP European Union committee on a task force for more than two years to examine successive drafts of this legislation,” said Brian Petty, IADC executive vice president, government and regulatory affairs. “Ultimately, our goal was to ensure that the legislation was framed as a directive, an important distinction that allows member states up to two years to implement it, with flexibility to conform with existing national laws. We believe this is a good outcome after years of hard work.”

“It is a challenging effort to achieve a standard and agreeable level of risk across the European Union with respect to offshore oil and gas activities,” said Alan Spackman, IADC vice president, offshore division. “As it is modeled on the safety case regimes in Northwest Europe, this new directive may prove challenging to other European Union members that have not previously adopted this approach. IADC will be working closely with these regulators across Europe toward consistent application of regulatory regimes at their national level.”

 Related:

EU Parliament Gives Nod for Stricter Offshore Drilling Rules

Oceana Slams EU Offshore Drilling Directive

Oil & Gas UK Welcomes EU Offshore Safety Directive

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Press Release, May 30, 2013; Image: Songa