MEPs demand 'stricter safety regime' for oil drilling

MEPs have called for a "strict safety regime" for offshore oil and gas drilling in European waters.

The demand comes in the wake of last year's Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Parliament's industry, research and energy committee approved a report which aims to update safety rules and close "loopholes" in current legislation on offshore oil and gas drillings.

Committee members said the outcome of the vote sent a "strong signal of support" to the commission for a tighter safety regime for offshore oil and gas activities.

They said such measures should include site-specific contingency plans.

Reaction was swift with ALDE deputy Fiona Hall, saying, "MEPs have now sent a strong signal to the EU commission to ensure that offshore oil and gas activities are subjected to the highest safety standards in all European waters, largely based on the UK's safety case approach.

"But more than that, we must push the industry to employ the same EU safety standards wherever they are operating in the world," said Hall, who leads the UK Lib Dem group in parliament.

"This is particularly true for the Arctic region where the very sensitive environment demands a very special safety regime.

Hall, who worked closely on the report as an energy expert in the committee, added, "The commission has already indicated that it is prepared to tighten up the rules.

"It is very important that this is done in an effective way, building on established best practice in some member states, in particular the UK's safety case approach, and a strictly enforced safety culture.

"Pressure must be brought to bear on all member states to implement and enforce any new safety regime and on companies to live up to their corporate responsibility and commit to a true safety culture within their organisations."

The commission is due to publish its legislative package on offshore oil and gas activities in September.