Oil & Gas UK welcomes rejection of drilling moratorium
21 September 2011
Responding to the European Parliament’s Report on Offshore Safety and the rejection of a late amendment proposing a suspension of oil and gas activities in EU waters, Malcolm Webb, Oil & Gas UK’s Chief Executive (pictured) has voiced his comments.
Malcolm Webb, Oil & Gas UK’s Chief Executive
Webb said: “Oil & Gas UK welcomes the European Parliament’s rejection of the unfounded calls for a moratorium. There is no place for a moratorium in UK waters as the UK oil and gas industry operates under a fully robust and fit-for-purpose regulatory regime, with almost 7,000 wells having been drilled successfully over the last twenty years.
“We also welcome the Parliament’s recognition of the merits of the site specific ‘safety case’ approach to regulation, in line with the existing UK system. 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."
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