The Azerbaijan State News Agency

WORLD

EU to tighten rules for offshore drilling

Baku, October 13 (AZERTAC). The European Commission has proposed tightening the rules for deep-water drilling in the oil industry.

The move follows April`s devastating BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Europe has more than 900 offshore wells, although only Norway currently allows drilling as deep as 1,300m (4,265ft), comparable to BP`s ill-fated Deepwater Horizon facility.

The Commission wants to ensure that firms drilling in European waters can cover the costs of a spill.

The BP disaster not only allowed more than 4m barrels of oil to pollute the sea - it also frightened oil regulators worldwide. If it could happen once, they thought, it could happen again.

The EU Energy Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, wants any company drilling within European waters to prove it has either the cash in the bank to pay for a clean-up, or appropriate insurance to cover the cost.

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

Other news in this section

Army chief warns Britons will have to make ‘sacrifices’ to prepare for war
  • 16.10.2026 [22:28]

Army chief warns Britons will have to make ‘sacrifices’ to prepare for war

Ethiopia's Abiy names new Tigray government, wants polls in six months
  • 16.10.2026 [20:18]

Ethiopia's Abiy names new Tigray government, wants polls in six months

Incredible ‘seal’s eye view’ image wins this year’s OurNature Environmental Photo & Video Award
  • 16.10.2026 [19:20]

Incredible ‘seal’s eye view’ image wins this year’s OurNature Environmental Photo & Video Award

Japan police to study GPS monitoring of stalkers
  • 16.10.2026 [19:05]

Japan police to study GPS monitoring of stalkers

Italy and Spain move to end border dispute after Meloni-Sánchez talks
  • 16.10.2026 [18:52]

Italy and Spain move to end border dispute after Meloni-Sánchez talks

China completes world's third robotic arm-assisted heart transplant
  • 16.10.2026 [16:32]

China completes world's third robotic arm-assisted heart transplant

Two more canals in Uzbekistan added to the World Heritage Irrigation Structures list
  • 16.10.2026 [16:15]

Two more canals in Uzbekistan added to the World Heritage Irrigation Structures list

Pakistan, US discuss economic reforms, external financing
  • 16.10.2026 [15:44]

Pakistan, US discuss economic reforms, external financing

Tourism Minister: Bulgarian food, wine key to tourism growth
  • 16.10.2026 [15:18]

Tourism Minister: Bulgarian food, wine key to tourism growth

Army chief warns Britons will have to make ‘sacrifices’ to prepare for war

  • [22:28]

Garabagh carpet unveiled in Peru, showcasing Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage

  • [22:26]

ICESCO Baku Regional Office to participate in 12th International Book Fair with special pavilion

  • [22:15]

Moscow discussions focus on South Caucasus energy projects under “3+3” framework

  • [22:12]

Central Bank Governor discusses Azerbaijan’s financial reforms in Global Finance interview

  • [21:41]

Azerbaijan boxers aim for ‘medal rush’ at European U15 Boxing Championships in Trabzon

  • [21:12]

Azerbaijani ambassador presents credentials to King of Sweden

  • [21:09]

Memorandums signed in Khankendi between Baku Engineering University and Uzbekistan’s two higher education institutions

  • [21:05]

“Environmental Protection First” Coalition addresses international community over COP17

  • [20:51]

Azerbaijani, Uzbekistan`s deposit institutions sign memorandum on bilateral cooperation

  • [20:39]

Video on Patriotic War shared on President Ilham Aliyev's social media accounts VIDEO

  • [20:27]

Ethiopia's Abiy names new Tigray government, wants polls in six months

  • [20:18]

International Paralympic delegates visit Alley of Honors and Alley of Martyrs in Baku

  • [20:15]

Baku State University to establish cooperation with nine Uzbek universities

  • [20:14]

UAE delegation visits Azerbaijan

  • [20:07]

Azerbaijan, Bangladesh discuss prospects for bilateral relations

  • [20:02]

Top stories update

  • [20:00]

President Ilham Aliyev congratulates participants of Paralympic movement on anniversary

  • [19:52]

To the National Paralympic Committee and paralympians on the 30th anniversary of the Committee’s establishment

  • [19:41]

Incredible ‘seal’s eye view’ image wins this year’s OurNature Environmental Photo & Video Award

  • [19:20]

Parviz Shahbazov: More than 1.1 million tonnes of oil supplied to Vietnam since 2023

  • [19:19]

Tasks successfully completed during “Falcons Meet – 2026” exercise

  • [19:05]

Japan police to study GPS monitoring of stalkers

  • [19:05]

Italy and Spain move to end border dispute after Meloni-Sánchez talks

  • [18:52]

Members of Romanian Senate informed about Azerbaijan’s appraisal sector

  • [18:29]

Azerbaijan, Switzerland discuss financial sector trends

  • [18:21]

AMADA Executive Director highlights AI applications in anti-doping at summit in Greece

  • [18:17]

Improving social support mechanisms for older persons is a priority, says Deputy Minister

  • [17:51]

Main Clinical Hospital hosts awareness-raising event

  • [17:47]

Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka strengthen political dialogue

  • [17:38]

Azerbaijani scientists meet with Chinese students in Beijing

  • [17:33]

Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister meets with heads of international and foreign national Paralympic committees

  • [17:06]

Azerbaijan Army’s Chief of General Staff meets with NATO delegation

  • [17:05]

China completes world's third robotic arm-assisted heart transplant

  • [16:32]

Azerbaijani FM, CICA Secretary General discuss outcomes of 7th CICA Summit

  • [16:32]

Two more canals in Uzbekistan added to the World Heritage Irrigation Structures list

  • [16:15]

Azerbaijan Appraisers Society, National Association of Authorised Romanian Valuers ink memorandum of cooperation

  • [16:13]

Azerbaijan’s Central Bank, BlackRock discuss cooperation

  • [16:06]

Azerbaijan’s winter tourism potential presented to Chinese travel agencies

  • [16:05]

Pakistan, US discuss economic reforms, external financing

  • [15:44]

Prosecutor General’s Office issues international wanted notice for Turkish citizen Celal Çiftçi

  • [15:34]

Tourism Minister: Bulgarian food, wine key to tourism growth

  • [15:18]

Azerbaijan Tourism Board supports filming of Japan’s hit series VIVANT across the country

  • [15:17]

At least 12 dead after migrant boat incident off Gambia

  • [14:45]

® Agro Dairy, part of PASHA Holding, supports the active social participation of children with autism

  • [14:22]

Azerbaijan’s population reaches 10,279,796

  • [14:14]

Stockholm hosts meeting with Azerbaijani writer Eluja Atali

  • [14:11]

Numan Kurtulmus: Türkiye-Azerbaijan unity was forged by historical processes

  • [14:04]

Group of individuals awarded for contributions to Azerbaijan’s Paralympic movement - ORDER

  • [14:02]

New chairman and Board members elected to Azerbaijan Press Council

  • [13:39]

President Ilham Aliyev received newly appointed Georgian ambassador to Azerbaijan VIDEO

  • [13:30]

Azerbaijan's petroleum product output exceeds 4.6 billion manats in January-September 2026

  • [13:26]

BTC pipeline transports over 18.8 million tons of oil in January–September 2026

  • [13:11]

President Ilham Aliyev received newly appointed Indian ambassador to Azerbaijan VIDEO

  • [13:00]

World Bank Group mobilizes $100 million in private capital in Azerbaijan

  • [12:55]

Azerbaijani wrestler bags silver at U23 World Championships

  • [12:37]

UN: The world is waging a ‘war on nature’ as progress on biodiversity targets lags

  • [12:30]

Azerbaijan’s Central Bank discuss financial sector trends with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and UBS Asset Management

  • [12:20]

Azerbaijan and Albania explore new opportunities to strengthen tourism ties

  • [12:09]

Top stories update

  • [12:01]

Second Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Rectors’ Forum kicks off in Khankendi

  • [12:00]

Washington hosts exhibition-concert marking anniversary of restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence

  • [11:55]

Azerbaijani official attends 8th OTS meeting on media and information

  • [11:53]

Arctic sea ice hits another troubling low in 2026

  • [11:36]

Azeri Light sells for $119

  • [11:30]

UN report urges social inclusion amid rapid global transformation

  • [11:29]

Gold and silver prices rise on global markets

  • [11:25]

® Confirm money transfers in Birbank with SİMA İmza

  • [11:23]

Sultan Hajiyev appointed CICA Secretary-General

  • [11:19]

Milli Majlis commission issues statement on hybrid attacks against Azerbaijan

  • [11:18]

Strong earthquake warning covering wide area of Japan canceled

  • [11:12]

Ferrari junior Rafael Camara promoted to F1 with Haas for 2027

  • [10:58]

Oil prices fall on global markets

  • [10:54]

Number of foreign residents in Japan hits new high at 3.4% of population

  • [10:50]

Azerbaijan highlights importance of combating torture and eliminating impunity at UN

  • [10:33]

Azerbaijan and Türkiye discuss bilateral relations

  • [10:13]

Besiktas beat Hoffenheim 3-2 away in Europa League

  • [09:53]

Severe drought declared in parts of southern England

  • 15.10.2026 [22:33]

IEA members to accelerate release of 100M barrels as oil markets remain tight

  • 15.10.2026 [22:29]

Caspian Construction Week highlights youth involvement in Garabagh’s revival

  • 15.10.2026 [22:26]

CIS delegation visits DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity

  • 15.10.2026 [21:58]

Baku hosts international conference on inclusive employment

  • 15.10.2026 [21:40]

President Ilham Aliyev’s social media accounts shared video on inauguration of Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line VIDEO

  • 15.10.2026 [21:12]

Türkiye prepares local climate action projects for COP31 Climate Change Conference

  • 15.10.2026 [20:54]

Chinese companies explore investment opportunities in Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector

  • 15.10.2026 [20:52]

Iranian deputy FM hails Azerbaijan’s efforts to advance regional cooperation

  • 15.10.2026 [20:40]

Baku hosted 7th CICA Summit
President Ilham Aliyev addressed the event VIDEO

  • 15.10.2026 [20:34]

Azerbaijan ranks second as Türkiye’s top gas supplier for August

  • 15.10.2026 [20:28]

Baku hosts “Garabagh Realities: The Opportunities of Digital Media and Its Social Impact” panel discussion

  • 15.10.2026 [20:17]

Top stories update

  • 15.10.2026 [20:00]

Azerbaijan, Paralympic committees discuss launching joint initiatives

  • 15.10.2026 [19:46]

Central Bank of Azerbaijan Governor attends World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings

  • 15.10.2026 [19:29]

Osaka grapples with severely aging water and sewage systems

  • 15.10.2026 [19:27]

Lautaro Martinez suffers hamstring injury and will miss the Milan Derby

  • 15.10.2026 [19:12]

Azerbaijan’s CICA chairmanship serves to strengthen regional ties, minister says

  • 15.10.2026 [19:05]

President Ilham Aliyev’s social media accounts shared video on 7th CICA Summit VIDEO

  • 15.10.2026 [18:55]

Azerbaijan assumes chairmanship of CIS Advisory Council on Labor and Social Protection

  • 15.10.2026 [18:46]

Israel records 35 beach drowning deaths in 2026

  • 15.10.2026 [18:34]

President Ilham Aliyev met with Amir of Qatar VIDEO

  • 15.10.2026 [18:10]

Sri Lankan minister: CICA will continue to grow and strengthen during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship

  • 15.10.2026 [18:08]