the LAW of the sea 1.4 (2017) 1–105 brill.com/brp Joint Development of Offshore Oil and Gas Resources in the Arctic Ocean Region and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea John Abrahamson Partner, Sheltons-SITTI
[email protected] Abstract The Arctic Ocean region presents certain challenges to peaceful cooperation between states, particularly in the locations where ocean boundaries and ownership of the related resources are disputed. The establishment of Joint Development Zones (JDZs) for the development of offshore oil and gas resources in the Arctic Ocean can facili- tate international cooperation over resource development where there are competing claims. These claims are generally based on continental shelf jurisdiction under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). There are several alternative dispute resolution measures available under UNCLOS; however, a number of states have preferred to adopt a JDZ as an interim measure to allow devel- opment. The significance of JDZs for the Arctic Ocean region is that they can allow peaceful cooperation and development where the specific circumstances of Arctic claims make it difficult for the respective states to agree on the maritime boundary. Keywords international law – sea boundaries – Arctic – joint development – upstream oil and gas 1 Introduction Joint Development Zones (JDZs) are a means where states agree to share resources of a disputed region. JDZs are of special interest in relation to the Arctic Ocean region owing to the number of unresolved maritime boundaries © John Abrahamson, 2018 | doi:10.1163/24519359-12340004 Downloaded from Brill.com10/11/2021 05:14:39AM via free access 2 Abrahamson in the region, and the recent extension of maritime claims by Arctic states.