Liability for Marine Pollution from Offshore Operations

This paper addresses various aspects of liability for marine pollution arising from offshore operations. The myriad of provincial, federal and international instruments which are relevant to pollution in the offshore generates complex compliance and liability issues. An operator may be subject to both criminal and civil liability for pollution under several different legislative regimes. This paper is divided into two parts. First, compliance considerations are reviewed with the primary compliance requirements under the various acts and regulations applicable to offshore operations highlighted. In the second part, the extent of civil liability for marine pollution is examined.