Strasbourg, 08/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - Speaking in the European Parliament plenary session debate on “Oil exploration and extraction - risks, liability and regulation” in Strasbourg on Wednesday 7 July, European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger called for a moratorium on drilling in the deep waters off Europe while awaiting a report into the precise causes of the explosion of the BP Group oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in April. “In the light of current circumstances, all responsible governments should freeze new permits authorising drilling in extreme situations,” Oettinger said, referring to the unprecedented environmental disaster in the US. This might mean a de facto moratorium on new drilling until the causes of the accident are known for certain and corrective measures for operations at the edge of our technological skills, he added. The commissioner has thus opened a Community-wide debate on risks and responsibilities, compliance with European standards, available technology and the rules that are in place or prove necessary. He will lead discussion on these issues at a second meeting in mid-July, between the Commission, energy operators and national regulators (see EUROPE 10166). Oettinger called for a review of the division of tasks between the Commission and member states: he wants the Commission to have the power to supervise oil and gas industry monitoring operations, a task currently undertaken at national level. In 1994, the Commission set the security standards to be met in the EU to avoid the risk of explosions in industrial installations, including oil platforms, but leaving it to member states to monitor compliance. Oettinger also spoke of a debate on improving EU capacity to respond to disasters, which includes the issue of extending the areas of responsibility of the Lisbon-based European Maritime Security Agency, currently limited to vessels carrying hydrocarbons. Calling for “the highest possible level of security in the EU”, the commissioner promised definite proposals in the coming months. (E.H./transl.rt)