21.1.2012   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 18/8

(1)

Article 191 of the Treaty establishes the objectives of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment and creates an obligation for all Union action to be supported by a high level of protection based on the precautionary principle and preventive action and to prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources.

(2)

The Union policy aims at reducing the occurrence of major accidents related to offshore oil and gas activities and to limit their consequences, thus increasing the protection of the marine environment and coastal economies against pollution as well as limiting possible disruptions to indigenous energy production in the Union, and at improving the response mechanisms in case of an accident.

(3)

The accidents related to offshore oil and gas activities in 2010, notably the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, have sparked a review of policies aimed at ensuring the safety of offshore activities. The Commission expressed its initial views on the safety of offshore oil and gas operations in its Communication ‘Facing the challenge of the safety of offshore oil and gas activities’ (1) on 12 October 2010.

(4)

The risks of a major offshore oil or gas accident occurring in Union waters are not insignificant. Offshore oil and gas industries are established in a number of regions of the Union, and there are prospects for new regional developments in Union waters. Production of offshore oil and gas is a significant element in EU security of energy supply.

(5)

While the Union already has examples of excellence in national regulatory practices related to offshore oil and gas activities, levelling up of the implementation of the regulatory framework for offshore oil and gas operations, can further improve the safety of offshore activities.

(6)

The continuous exchange of experience, identification of best practices among regulatory authorities and the industry and improvement of implementation measures are being recognised as key aspects of a well functioning regulatory regime.

(7)

The value of collaboration between offshore authorities has been clearly established by the activities of the North Sea Offshore Authorities Forum and the International Regulators Forum. Building on those experiences, it is important to maximise the effectiveness of transfer of experience and knowledge across the Union through a formal Union-wide structure.

(8)

Based primarily on the activities of national regulators, the European Union Offshore Oil and Gas Authorities Group should involve in its activities experience from relevant stakeholders including relevant third countries. The Authorities Group should facilitate the transfer of knowledge among stakeholders and assist in the production of formal guidelines relating to best practices.

(9)

The objectives of offshore authorities collaborating on matters relating to preventing the occurrence of, and responding to offshore major accidents are also complementary to the objectives of the Standing Working Party of Mining and Other Extractive Industries established under Article 6 of Council Decision 2003/C 218/01 setting up an Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work, and complementary to the objectives of the said Committee.

(10)

Rules on disclosure of information by members of the Authorities Group and their representatives should be provided for, without prejudice to the Commission's rules on security as set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom.

(11)

Personal data relating to the members of the Authorities Group should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (2),

(a)

identifying priorities for preparation of guidance documents, standards and best practices in the oil and gas sector;

(b)

preparing, or initiating and overseeing the preparation of, guidelines on the industry best practices;

(c)

in the interest of sharing experience, facilitating rapid information exchange between the Commission and national authorities, regarding e.g. the occurrence and causes of and responses to major incidents, and events which could have led to major accidents as well as, operational intelligence concerning drilling installations that intend to move between Member States;

(d)

promoting and facilitating consensus between the Commission and national authorities regarding the best regulatory practice;

(e)

promoting exchanges and secondment of staff between national authorities to increase their knowledge and experience;

(f)

exchanging information regarding the application of national and Union legislation and policies relevant to offshore oil and gas activities, including measures to prevent intentional unlawful acts against those activities, and assisting the Commission in monitoring the implementation of relevant Union acquis.