Offshore Energy Research Initiative
Offshore energy, renewable and hydrocarbons, is already a reality but likely to be even more present in the near future. The impetus given by the European Commission to offshore renewable energy forms is just an example of this. To promote legal research dealing with the regulation of offshore energy both in established countries, like Norway, the UK or the US, as well in developing jurisdictions, with examples such as Guyana or Mozambique. As part of the challenges brought by the energy transition, the still dependence to hydrocarbons, and the regulation of energy activities across the globes several institutions and its researchers have created this Offshore Energy Research Initiative.
Main content
LEGAL CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES AT SEA
Associate Professor Ignacio Herrera Anchustegui of the University of Bergen, is collaborating and coordinating this initiative that includes offshore energy experts from other institutions. Among the core members of the group, the Offshore Energy Research Initiative includes, Prof. Dr. Eduardo G. Pereira, Siberian Federal University, Lecturer Dr. Eddy Wifa from the School of Law of the University of Aberdeen, and Senior Lecturer Dr. Madeline Taylor from the School of Law of Macquarie University in Australia.
1. RESEARCH TOPIC
This research project seeks to identify the major legal challenges to the sustainable development of energy resources at sea, examine the extent to which these challenges remain consistent or differ from one jurisdiction to another, and consider the legal and regulatory model most advantageous for countries that desire to promote exploration and production of energy resources at sea.
2. SYNOPSIS OF THE PROJECT
A first objective of this research project is to review and compare the legal challenges faced by countries with significant experience with offshore developments in order to understand the issues they faced, the approach they have followed in regulation, and the successes and shortcomings of those approaches.
A second objective is to determine what past experiences with offshore energy development can teach countries that either are developing offshore resources for the first time or which are beginning to develop different offshore energy resources than they have developed in the past.
This research raises at least the following questions: (1) How should offshore development be regulated? (2) How can a nation protect the marine environment and develop energy resources at the same time? (3) How to explore energy resources at the high sea in and at disputed areas? (4) How to allow the co-existence of different offshore developments (e.g. oil, gas, wind farms)?
3. DELIVERABLES
The coordinators of this project anticipate developing seminars, conferences and workshops to exchange ideas and disseminate the ultimate findings and recommendations to the target countries and to industry. To the extent funding is available, these would be held in multiple countries. The coordinators also am to publish a book and articles by 2022.
4. PARTICIPATION
The coordinators envisage five ways individuals and institutions can participate in the project: as a host/organizer, as member of the advisory board, as contributing author, as an institutional support, or through sponsorship. We aim to involve relevant key stakeholders, industry players, host governments and third parties within the target countries in the project.
5. PROJECT COORDINATORS AND EDITORS
Associate Professor Ignacio Herrera Anchustegui, University of Bergen
Prof. Dr. Eduardo G. Pereira, Siberian Federal University
Lecturer Dr. Eddy Wifa, School of Law of the University of Aberdeen
Senior Lecturer Dr Madeline Taylor, School of Law, Macquarie University
