Context:
United Kingdom is planning on more drilling in the North Sea for oil and natural gas.
Historical Background:
- 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf –
- 1st international legislation to establish the rights of countries over the continental shelves adjacent to their coastlines.
- It paved the way for exploration in the North Sea.
- UK’s Continental Shelf Act 1964 –
- Delineated the jurisdiction of U.K. over oil and gas resources(excluding coal) under the seabed near its shores.
- Discovery of Foinaven and Schiehallion fields –
- Opened up the West of Shetland area for exploration and exploitation.
North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA) is responsible for regulating oil, gas and carbon storage industries in North Sea.
North Sea:
- Part of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Europe.
- An epeiric (inland) sea – A shallow sea which extends far into the interior of a continent.
- Bordering Countries – England, Scotland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Norway, Denmarkand Germany
- Connects to the Atlantic Ocean through –
- English Channel
- Norwegian Sea
- Strait of Dover
- Major Islands – Orkney and Shetland
- Importance of North Sea:
- Waters of the North Sea were shallow, the whole seabed (except Norwegian Trough) consists of continental shelf at a depth of less than 200 metres.
- Geological formations such as porous rocks and structural traps, provide suitable environments for the collection of oil and gas reserves.
- Threats – Offshore drilling poses environmental challenges due to its potential hazards for marine life, biodiversity, climate, and ocean ecosystems.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following pairs:
Sea: Bordering Country
1. Adriatic Sea: Albania
2. Black Sea: Croatia
3. Caspian Sea: Kazakhstan
4. Mediterranean Sea: Morocco
5.Red Sea: Syria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
