New technologies for Eastern Mediterranean offshore gas exploration STUDY Panel for the Future of Science and Technology EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) PE 634.419 – April 2019 EN New technologies for Eastern Mediterranean offshore gas exploration Environmental risks and policies for their mitigation This study examines the evolution of technologies in the offshore exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, and their future environmental impact on the region. It reviews the existing literature and draws upon the expert opinion of various business, policy and academic insiders, and finds that the main risks come from accidental discharges at sea from well blowouts, chemical releases and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. It also finds that new technologies propel this stage of natural gas development towards increasing digitalisation, better designs for safety equipment, and increased automation. The study then proposes a number of policy measures on collaboration, data sharing, environmental baseline surveys, open digital platforms, and better monitoring for leaked greenhouse gas emissions. All these will help to improve the environmental credentials of offshore operations, but must be accompanied by closer cooperation and collaboration amongst the countries that surround the East Mediterranean Sea. STOA | Panel for the Future of Science and Technology AUTHORS This study has been written by Nestor Fylaktos and Costas N. Papanicolas of the Cyprus Institute, at the request of the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) and managed by the Scientific Foresight Unit, within the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS) of the Secretariat of the European Parliament. ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBLE Mihalis Kritikos, Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) To contact the publisher, please e-mail
[email protected] LINGUISTIC VERSION Original: EN Manuscript completed in April 2019.