Alexandra Wawryk

Adoption of International Environmental Standards by Transnational Oil Companies: Reducing the Impact of Oil Operations in Emerging Economies

In the absence of adequate environmental laws and enforcement in emerging economies, there have been calls for oil companies voluntarily to adopt ‘best practice’ in emerging economies. This article examines five environmental practices that can be seen as ‘best practice’ through their endorsement in national and international oil industry association guidelines, and which will, when adequately implemented, reduce the negative impacts of oil exploration and production.

The internationalisation of liability regimes for offshore petroleum exploration and production

The pollution caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Montara blowout in the Timor Sea, put the call for an international regulatory framework for oil pollution liability on the global agenda. Although international law regulates the prevention of offshore oil pollution and protection of the marine environment, certain activities do not fall inside the ambit of international regulations. For example, while new technology has made it possible for companies to drill to deeper depths and explore further away from the coastline, existing international conventions generally do not extend to liability for, and restoration of, damage caused by oil pollution from offshore installations. These issues are regulated by the national laws of the country that governs the continental shelf where the petroleum activities are conducted. Thus, from an international perspective, the legal regime is disperse and complex. The amount and complexity of claims arising from large-scale incidents has raised interest in creating a consistent international liability regime. This could be done through a multilateral treaty. Alternatively, the development and application of common principles across national and regional jurisdictions can lead to the increased internationalisation of liability regimes. This paper compares the laws of Australia, the USA and the UK to identify common principles for liability and environmental restoration. The authors argue that as the legal framework becomes internationalised, increasing pressure will be placed on companies to accept the highest standards of liability, rather than the lowest national standard.

Australian initiatives promoting renewable energy resources in electricity generation

This article examines in detail the current initiatives offered by the Australian federal and state governments to promote the generation of electricity by renewable energy resources. Particular emphasis is given to the new mandatory renewable energy target, which is the major federal government initiative and likely to remain so in future in light of the governments unwillingness to ratify the Kyoto Protocol or to establish a national atmospheric emissions trading scheme. Selected criticisms are given of the various government initiatives.