Unilateral Exploration and Exploitation of Natural Resources in Disputed Areas: A Note on the Ghana/Côte d'Ivoire Order of 25 April 2015 before the Special Chamber of ITLOS

Abstract

Unilateral exploration and exploitation of natural resources in disputed marine areas create a sensitive issue in the context of maritime delimitations. In the Ghana/Côte d'Ivoire dispute concerning maritime delimitation, Côte d'Ivoire requested that the Special Chamber of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) prescribe provisional measures to suspend all ongoing oil exploration and exploitation operations conducted by Ghana in the disputed area and to refrain from granting any new permit for oil exploration and exploitation there. In the Order of 2 April 2015, the Special Chamber declined the Côte d'Ivoire's request to prescribe the suspension of operations but did order that Ghana ensure that no new drilling either by Ghana or under its control take place in the disputed area. The Ghana/Côte d'Ivoire Order sheds light on the legal consequence of unilateral exploration and exploitation of natural resources in disputed marine areas.