Topic: Impact and Safety of Deep Water Drilling
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Ian Baker
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Denmark position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
The dangers of deep sea oil drilling have been understood for many years, but it took the recent BP disaster to rekindle international interest in addressing safety with oil rigs. Because of this disaster, many nations are now pushing for stiffer regulations on drilling or an end to the practice altogether.
Many nations, on the other hand, rely on oil for their mere survival. For these nations, many of whose citizens will not have money for basic necessities without this vital industry, oil regulation appears economically dangerous and unnecessary.
Denmark, however, takes a middle ground, striking a balance somewhere between these two extremes. Denmark accepts that its drilling in the North Sea (while limited) does offer the potential for another BP-style oil disaster. Denmark is deeply committed to stopping this and protecting the environment from further damage. To remedy this, Denmark proposes a modest United Nations regulation program to ensure that certain safety standards are met worldwide on deep sea oil rigs. Denmark is willing to work with various ideas and try to build upon them to not only regulate the dangers of oil drilling but also avoid infringement on national sovereignty inherent with banning the practice altogether.
As a nation committed to progress and economic and environmental sustainability, Denmark feels that certain safety standards should be outlined by the United Nations; furthermore, oil rigs worldwide should voluntarily permit the United Nations to inspect oil rigs to ensure compliance with agreed upon international regulations. This will clearly ensure greater safety without hurting the oil industry that is so vital in so many places.
