Offshore oil and gas development: impact on the environment round Cardigan Bay

Abstract

The UK's offshore oil and gas industry is a source of both chronic and acute marine pollution. Despite the numerous impacts of the petroleum industry on the offshore environment, environmental impact assessment (EIA) has not been fully implemented into the 'planning system' in breach of European Union law. In an analysis of the situation in Cardigan Bay off the coast of Wales it was found that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awards licences to companies for the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas resources in a closed and confidential system which operates outside existing planning and environmental regulations. Cooperation between the oil and gas industry and the environmental groups is the first stage in assessing the impacts of offshore activity on the marine habitat.