Topic: Impact and Safety of Deep Water Drilling
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Andrew Boland
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
In light of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico by BP, the United States feels that it is highly important that the impact and safety of deepwater drilling be reviewed by the UN environmental program. The methodology required to extract oil at extreme depths poses significant risks to the environmental, especially do to the risk of spill or other industrial accident. We strongly believe that simple changes in international policy could significantly reduce the environmental impacts and risks associated with deepwater drilling.
The United States recognizes that the business of oil extraction is a sensitive matter to most states, and that many would be hostile to the notion of any form of international involvement. So therefore we recommend that any changes be done in a way that respects the sovereignty of states and has a minimal amount of interference in the business operations of oil companies. We also recognize that many states lack the financial capability to utilize the latest, and often expensive, safety equipment. Therefore the changes we propose would strictly be voluntary. Firstly, we recommend that all states maintain contingency plans for emergency response to a spill involving a deepwater well. Secondly, we would recommend that all oil rigs or drilling vessels be registered in the state that they are drilling in as opposed to registering it under a flag of convenience. Thirdly, we recommend that states conduct annual inspections of all deepwater drilling operations within their domain. The United States strongly believes that if the above recommendations were implemented, the environmental dangers posed by deepwater drilling could be minimized.
The United States believes that are closest allies in implementing the above recommendations will be other advanced industrialized states. Advanced industrialized states have shown they are willing and able to sacrifice economic expedience for better environmental conditions. States that would also be supportive may be states that lack significant oil production. They have little to lose from supporting environmental policies.
States that will likely prove to be the opposition will be states with significant oil production as well as states that have interests vested in low energy costs. African states such as Nigeria who have atrocious environmental records when it comes to oil will likely object to any international standards because it could potentially raise production costs. India, China, and other developing states may also oppose because they find themselves in a position of needing to import more energy. They have significant interests in maintaining low energy prices so they may continue importing without paying a heavy economic cost.
