Croatian legal framework of security and protection of marine environment in coastal investigation and the exploitation of hydrocarbons

Abstract

In order to reduce the import of energy sources and to improve energy situation in the Republic of Croatia, our country has decided to revive offshore exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons. The prerequisite was the creation of an appropriate legal framework, which was achieved by the adoption of the Act on safety in offshore exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in July 2015. The author of this paper reviews the provisions of the before mentioned Act with special emphasis on the protection of marine environment. Consequently, the author also analyzes the provisions of the Plan of Intervention in the Case of Accidental Marine Pollution in correlation with the aforementioned Law.

Keywords

• legislation
• offshore exploration
• offshore exploitation
• hydrocarbons
• protection of marine environment
• liability for damage