1. ADRIATIC MARITIME LAW CONFERENCE PORTOROŽ, May Marine Environmental Impact in the Process of Decommissioning of Offshore Structures in the European Perspective
Basic text up-dated February 2008
Jana Rodica LL.M.

2. Introductory outline First attempt Cobb seamount in 1970
Definition and Legal Status of Offshore Structure
There are more than 1000 offshore oil and gas installations operating just in European waters
The offshore energy industry has averaged 130 platform removals per year

3. Marine Environmental Impact in the Process of Decommissioning of Offshore Structures
Activity
Potential source of impact
Environmental component affected
Potential environmental effect
Offshore dismantling
Crane/barge/support vessels
Operational emissions/discharges
Accidental loss of debris
Accidental spills
Resource users (e.g. fisherman, shipping)
Water, air and marine sediments
Resource users (notably fisherman)
Water
Reduce access to other users
Adverse biological effects
Interference with fishing activities
Sea disposal
Presence of structural debris
Leakage of contaminants
Resource users (e.g. fisherman and military)
Water and marine sediments
Adverse biological effects from residual contaminants

4. Potential Ecological Consequences of Offshore Platform Decommissioning in the Gulf of Trieste
Total or partial removal
Sinking/toppling on site
Leave in place

5. Leave in place
The world has already lost 27% of its coral reefs from human activities. Leave the disused offshore structure in place can be helpful in making up for what has been lost
Several Rig-to-reef programs in place

6. Underwater Acoustic Pollution in the process of Decomissioning of offshore structures
IMO
The European Union
ACCOBAMS

7. Regulatory framework for the decomissioning of Offshore structures
The Imo guidelines - Removal Guidelines
The 1972 London Convention and its 1996 Protocol
The 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental shelf
The 1972 Oslo Convention
The Ospar Convention
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
The EU approach

8. Marine Pollution
Marine Pollution – Principles of Customary International Law
Main Forms of Responsibility for Environmental Harm in International Law
- Strict liability;
- Liability based on fault.
Liability – “Slovenian Perspective”

9. Insurance related issues
Decomissioning is a multy-phased techical process more akin to construction that operation
Risk exposure to residual liabilities (including abandonment), pollution or contamination in the process of dismantling/removal
Damage to exiting property not intended for decommissioning next to the structures to be removed

10. Comments and Conclusion
Old problems, innovative solutions
The group All Seas as well as group Heerema, are currently building “huge“ decommissioning vessels. Heerema is building a new crane vessel with two tons cranes. By far the biggest lifting capacity in the world.
ex. Pieter Schelte, the world’s largest platform installation / decommissioning and pipe laying vessel

12. Comments and Conclusion
ex. Pieter Schelte, the world’s largest platform installation / decommissioning and pipe laying vessel