ah ha.19 Jul 2010 11:46
Italy is considering new rules to tighten permits for offshore oil and gas exploration and production after BP's oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Industry Ministry Undersecretary said today.
Italy has already moved to ban research and extraction activity within five miles (8 kilometres) of its coasts, extended to 12 miles for protected areas, but analysts and industry have said major operators would not be affected.
"New regulations aimed to make the system of authorisations for research and extraction of hydrocarbons, more restrictive, are being formulated," Stefano Saglia, who is in charge of energy issues at the ministry, told the lower chamber of parliament, Reuters reported.
But he stressed that Italy needs good practice rather than new rules.
Italy has had no major pollution accident that would have triggered an emergency action plan in 50 years of offshore exploration.
His comments during parliamentary questioning over offshore drilling were released by the ministry. The published comments did not contain details of any proposed measures.
According to data on the Italian industry ministry's website, there are 7068 hydrocarbon wells in Italy, 1653 of which are offshore.
The ministry says 68 requests for a research permit for hydrocarbon development in Italy's seas are pending.
Among the companies that have applied for permits are Northern Petroleum, Petroceltic International, Hunt Oil, Shell Italia, British Gas International and San Leon Energy as well as Italy's Eni and Edison.