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How to Dismantle Four Legs a Ship with

The regulation of oil rig recycling in the North Sea region Sarah Shiels Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Research Question

What is the current status of international law as it relates to oil rig dismantling?

What is an oil rig?

• A machine?

• A building?

• A support system?

• A work camp?

In Law:

≈

(almost equal to)

Assuming a rig is a ship…

…what are the rules that apply to ship recycling in the North Sea?

Image source: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:North_sea_eez.PNG>

Treaty Participation of States Bordering the North Sea States Bordering the OSPAR North Sea Convention¹

Basel Convention²

Hong Kong Convention³

Belgium Denmark France

Ratified Ratified Ratified

Ratified (1993) Approved (1994) Approved (1991)

Not signed Not signed Signed, subject to ratification (2009)

Germany Netherlands

Ratified Ratified

Ratified (1995) Accepted (1993)

Not signed Signed, subject to acceptance (2010)

Norway Sweden United Kingdom

Ratified Ratified Ratified

Ratified (1990) Ratified (1991) Ratified (1994)

Not signed Not signed Not signed

[1]

Source: The OSPAR Convention, online: <http://www.ospar.org> Source: United Nations Treaty Collection, STATUS AS AT: 04-03-2013 05:04:15 EDT, online: <http://treaties.un.org> [3] Source: “Status of multilateral Conventions and instruments in respect of which the International Maritime Organization or its Secretary-General performs depositary or other functions.” Online: <http://www.imo.org/About/Conventions/StatusOfConventions/ Documents/Status%20-%202013.pdf> [2]

Treaty Participation Summary

* North Sea States: * All participate in OSPAR * All participate in Basel * 2 have signed the Hong Kong Convention

Do the rules that apply to ship recycling in the North Sea region apply to oil rigs operating in the North Sea?

Who/what is responsible for the rigs?

* Owner? * State of registration? * Crew? * Coastal state?

North Sea – Rig Count by Flag State* Vanuatu US UK Singapore Panama Norway Netherlands Marshall Islands Liberia Italy Denmark Bahamas Not specified

3 3 3

18

9

European Non-­‐ european

72

18 7 1

Other

30

11 17 1

Flags-­‐of-­‐ convenience

60

6 11 85 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

*Chart generated on the basis of data available at the Rigzone website

80

90

Age of North Sea Rigs* North Sea rigs built per decade 1960s (1 rig) 1970s (10 rigs) 1980s (41 rigs) 1990s (8 rigs) 2000s (22 rigs) 2010s (10 rigs)

*Information was gathered from the Rigzone website.

No build date specified for ~ 49% of the North Sea rigs listed on the site.

Summary • North Sea rigs: • • • •

Many are approaching obsolescence Most are registered outside of Europe* Many are registered under flags-­‐of-­‐convenience* All are subject to an inconsistent global regulatory regime

• Recommendations: 1. Stakeholders must seek a homogenous regulatory framework 2. Industry (rig owners/operators) must be engaged

*Based on Rigzone website data

Questions?

Contact:

shielss@gmail.com sshiels@wickwireholm.com 1.902.429.4111