Offshore drilling
Offshore drilling is the activity of extracting oil and gas deposits from the sea or the ocean.
Dangers of offshore drilling
Offshore drilling is composed with several steps, each one presenting a real risk.
Prospection
The noise emitted during seismic testing deafens marine mammals and causes increased beach strandings, while having an additional impact on fish and plankton.Exploration and exploitation
Outside of great risk of gas and oil spills, the daily release of toxic substances pollutes the waters (liquid sludge can contain arsenic, mercury, radioactive materials, etc.) with irreversible consequences for the environment.Dismantling
Finally, when oil and gas platforms are not properly dismantled, they become marine waste, leaving behind thousands of tons of contaminated water, the concrete bases and parts of metal structures. The majority of platforms can't be 100% dismantled.Map of oil and gas offshore platforms in Europe
What does Surfrider Europe advocate for?
Surfrider Europe is calling for a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation in all European waters by 2035.
To learn more about our position, read our Manifesto co-signed with 25 NGOs from all over Europe.
What can you do?
1
Inform yourself, spread the word
Offshore drilling remains a relatively unknown topic today, even though it has disastrous effects on the oceans. The first step to stop it: learning about the subject, talking about it around you... it all starts with a first step!
2
Contact your MEP
Surfrider Europe launches in 2020 the askforchange platform, created to allow citizens to reach out to their MEPs aboutoffshore drilling. Today, we have a real opportunity to ban oil and gas drilling by acting at the European level. For Surfrider Europe's demands to be heard and implemented by decision-makers, the voice of citizens counts!
3
Volunteer or donate for #DrillingIsKilling
Surfrider Europe's strength comes from its volunteers in the field. You can donate your time to fight against offshore drilling or participate by making a donation to the fund dedicated to the project. This will be used to help the association to move forward in its fight against offshore drilling!