Offshore petroleum exploration and production (E&P) activities are faced with both technical and environmental challenges. In spite of these challenges, offshore petroleum E&P are on the increase globally. These operations have not been accident free even with improved technology. Recent incidents like Montara blowout and Deepwater Horizon fire have more than ever before raised serious concerns about the safety of offshore oil and gas E&P. Key issues are the prevention of major hazards, emergency response and civil liability, and payment of compensation. These issues have greater implication when the impact is transboundary. There is a general consensus on the need to ensure safety of these operations globally. However, the international legal framework needed to achieve the objective is unresolved. Looking at the extant international instruments relating to marine pollution from offshore oil and gas activities, there is a clear absence of global treaty on safety of offshore operations, civil liability and compensation. While there is general consensus on the need for safety of offshore oil and gas operations globally, opinions are divided on the necessity for global treaties. This thesis looks at the extant international legal framework at both global and regional levels with a view to identifying gaps in provisions on safety, civil liability and compensation. The thesis finds that even in the post-Macondo era, there are no global treaties in relation to safety of offshore petroleum E&P to prevent accidental pollution, and to deal with issues of civil liability and compensation. Furthermore, most regional regimes have no specific provisions on accidental pollution from offshore operations and liability issues arising therefrom. The absence of provisions for civil liability, especially in cases of transboundary harm from offshore accidental pollution has created difficulty for affected nations and nationals. This thesis proffers suggestion for international regulation of offshore petroleum operations to prevent accidental pollution, improve emergency response and guarantee prompt settlement of liabilities and payment of compensation. Accordingly, an international legal framework involving three levels of legal regimes is recommended as an effective way of preventing accidental pollution from offshore petroleum operations to protect marine environment and also ensuring that liabilities that may arise in the event of a major hazard are adequately addressed.

[pt] O licenciamento ambiental na indústria petrolífera offshore no Brasil é o tema dessa dissertação. A questão do licenciamento ambiental para a produção do petróleo e gás na indústria e as possibilidades de se evitar, ao máximo, adversidades que possam degradar o meio ambiente foi o objetivo central desta pesquisa descritivo exploratória A natureza produz o petróleo e gás, mas, como usufrui-lo sem acarretar problemas à própria natureza que o produz? A regulamentação brasileira supõe essa questão? A da preservação da natureza? Analisou-se o processo de licenciamento ambiental para a execução da extração do petróleo e gás no Brasil e, ao mesmo tempo, outras referências mundiais, representadas pelos países: Canadá, Austrália, EUA e Noruega. Após essa análise viu-se que no Brasil o momento ainda é incipiente no desenvolvimento legal no que se refere a regulamentação geral; percebe-se contradições nas legislações pertinentes e a falta de clareza e objetividade (especificidades) no que se almeja regulamentar. Vale dizer, uma legislação pouco esclarecedora e confusa. Conclui-se que o caminho para a diminuição da degradação ambiental na exploração do petróleo e gás, exige, na prática, leis que ampliem e assegurem clareza, principalmente, na preservação do meio ambiente. Falta a definição desse caminho, ou seja, um roteiro explícito dos procedimentos legais necessários a aquisição desse licenciamento. Respeitar a natureza - o meio ambiente, e não somente explorá-lo sem medir as consequências negativas a este meio, deve ser o compromisso de todos os envolvidos. / [en] The main objective of this research was to discuss the environmental licensing in the offshore oil industry in Brazil by its laws and regulations and, at the same time, to have the possibility to avoid, as much as possible, adversities that could degrade the environment. Specifically, an attempt was made to understand the process of its regulation and other world references to understand the functioning of environmental licensing (environmental laws) for the execution of oil and gas extraction, represented by the countries: Canada, Australia, USA, and Norway; and point out necessary advances in environmental laws in preservation actions. In this descriptive exploratory research, the analysis focused on the environmental licensing process in Brazil in the offshore Oil and Gas industry, giving relevance to data for analysis of the bodies involved in the environmental licensing process; procedures and requirements for the offshore Oil and Gas Industry; laws and regulations in the offshore oil industry in Brazil and, finally, some information about the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) and its bidding and concession of exploratory blocks. And how does this interaction occur in other countries. The environmental licensing process is, in a way, old, vast and takes place from the prevention of deforestation established by the Forest Code in 1965 and in the authorizations for hunting and fishing in forests. However, at this time only a simple request was required to obtain authorization to carry out the activities. Law No. 6938 from 1981, which established the National Environmental Policy in Brazil, registered a regulatory milestone in the country s environmental legislation.