UK Energy Secretary Supports EU Directive on Offshore Oil and Gas Safety

June 11, 2013

Responding to the Council of the European Union’s announcement yesterday that the directive on safety of offshore oil and gas has been adopted, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said:

“Today’s announcement that European Ministers have passed the directive on offshore oil and gas safety is excellent news.

“Safety and environmental protection are essential to the success of the oil and gas industry and as Europe’s leading oil producer, the UK has been at the cutting edge of lobbying and drafting this new piece of legislation.

“This directive will mean oil and gas producing countries across the EU will be held to the highest possible standards with minimum cost and disruption to businesses.

“We particularly welcome the fact the EU has chosen a directive to implement this legislation. From the outset we have strongly argued that forcing the UK to rip up decades’ worth of legislation and guidance would have been counterproductive to the EU’s objectives.

“The UK will look to use and build upon these new powers to ensure we have an offshore oil and gas regime that continues to be regarded by the industry as one of the best in the world.”

[mappress]

Press Release, June 11, 2013