EPPR RP3 REPORT. RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR ARCTIC OIL SPILL PREVENTION. REV – 05.2 23 OCTOBER 2012.

Abstract

"In the 2011 Nuuk Declaration, Arctic Council Ministers called on EPPR and other relevant working groups to develop recommendations and/or best practices in the prevention of marine oil pollution. Led by Norway and Canada, the consultant Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was engaged to undertake this project and draft a technical report. Through a scoping workshop with key government and industry players, the working group determined that the largest risk of an oil spill would stem from increased activities in the Arctic related to shipping/maritime operations, oil & gas and land-based industry. These important factors became the focus of the attached report. The attached final draft report from DNV includes results from in-depth consultations with industry operators and regulatory authorities on a range of issues dealing with Arctic challenges and possible solutions. It also summarizes various conventions, regulations, standards and guidelines that exist among Arctic states as well as ongoing prevention programs and existing experience. Please note that it has yet to undergo a final editorial review. In summary, the report describes a number of observations and key practices that may be implemented to reduce the risk of an oil spill. EPPR will build on these to develop practical recommendations to Ministers for future initiatives aimed at preventing marine oil pollution."