Oil and Gas Development in the Arctic Ocean -- Understanding the Legal and Regulatory Framework

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA504404 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Oil and gas companies have been focusing their efforts and devoting substantial resources to the Arctic Ocean with the goal of extracting potentially large oil and gas resources. While the Arctic Region may provide significant sources of energy for the United States, industry and Federal regulatory agencies must consider the impact of increased development in the Arctic environment, which is currently experiencing deterioration of sea ice due to changing climactic conditions. This paper describes the current legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to oil and gas development in the Arctic Ocean, including the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act OCSLA, the Marine Mammal Protection Act MMPA, the Endangered Species Act ESA, the National Environmental Policy Act NEPA, and the Administrative Procedure Act APA. In addition, the paper highlights key issues that have arisen in this area, including biological effects on marine mammals from seismic surveys and drilling operations and Alaska Native subsistence users and their concern over the environmental impacts of oil and gas development.

Author(s):
Ahmad, Fatima ; Rauch, Samuel ; Hodor, Mark
Author Organization(s):
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SILVER SPRING MD
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
See also ADM002176. Presented at the MTS/IEEE Oceans 2008 Conference and Exhibition held in Quebec City, Canada, on 15-18 Sep 2008.
Pagination:
0007

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
NOAA/MD
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_8.1.1_Inform Domestic and Foreign Audiences; JCA_8.1_Communicate; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_3.2.2_Non-Kinetic Means; JCA_4.5.4_Requirements Definition; JCA_4.5_Operational Contract Support
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Ground and Sea Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*LEGISLATION, *ARCTIC OCEAN, *CRUDE OIL, *NATURAL GAS, *AQUATIC ANIMALS, *OFFSHORE DRILLING, *SEISMIC REFLECTION, *ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, HABITATS, ENDANGERED SPECIES, INDIGENOUS POPULATION, GREENHOUSE EFFECT, ARCTIC REGIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SYMPOSIA, BIOACOUSTICS, CONTINENTAL SHELVES, MARINE GEOPHYSICS, ALASKA, UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Sociology and Law, Geology, Geochemistry and Mineralogy, Mining Engineering, Seismology, Fuels, Environmental Health and Safety
Keyword(s):
*OIL EXPLORATION, *NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION, *SEISMIC SURVEYS, OCSLA(OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT), MMPA(MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT), ESA(ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT), IHA(INCIDENTAL HARASSMENT AUTHORIZATIONS), NEPA(NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT), NMFS(NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE), FWS(FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE), MMS(MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE), APA(ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT), ALASKA NATIVES, CLIMATE CHANGE
Report Date:
2008 Sep 01
Creation Date:
2009 Sep 09