DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND NATIONAL PLANNING IN THE CASPIAN SEA AND BLACK SEA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Caspian Sea and Black Sea regions have witnessed a growth in oil exploration, production and transportation activities, over a period of more than 15 years. Significant quantities of Caspian Sea region crude oil are shipped via Black Sea ports to markets in Europe. This development of the oil and shipping industries has brought a focus on ensuring an appropriate level of oil spill preparedness. Working under the umbrella of the ‘Global Initiative’ (GI) programme, the international community continues to support governments' efforts to build and implement national and regional systems to ensure effective response to major incidents. Recent progress in the Caspian Sea is described, notably the signing in 2011 by the five countries surrounding the Caspian Sea (the littoral States) of a regional agreement for co-operation in case of major oil spills - the so-called ‘Aktau Protocol’ to the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (“Tehran Convention”). This Protocol is expected to enter into force in 2014 and will provide the legal basis for co-operation between the countries. A regional plan under the Protocol is in final draft and will provide the operational tool for implementation of regional cooperation and coordination procedures. The draft regional plan will be described, including its alignment to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC) and the promotion of integrated response between governments and industry. National oil spill contingency plans provide the fundamental building blocks for the regional co-operation mechanism. Information will be presented on the recent developments concerning two national plans in the Caspian Sea, i.e. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The role of international organizations and the oil industry in supporting the respective government's development of these plans and the opportunities available to assist their implementation is discussed. The on-going biennial Black Sea regional exercise activity is used to illustrate how such a programme facilitates and encourages sustainable oil spill preparedness at the regional level. Information will be presented concerning the 2011 exercise, the key lessons learned and potential developments of the exercise programme in the future.