The significance of a possible EC EEZ for the law relating to artificial islands, installations, and structures, and to cables and pipelines, in the exclusive economic zone

Abstract

The great majority of artificial islands, installations, and structures, and of submarine pipelines are emplaced in the North Sea for the exploitation of continental shelf resources and are, therefore, subject to the regime of the continental shelf. The relevance of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) regime to such constructions is accordingly very limited. For this reason, this article covers both the EEZ regime and the continental shelf regime. Following a review of the regime of continental shelf installations under the 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, attention is focused on the EEZ regime governing installations established in the EEZ for a variety of other purposes. A study is then made of the rules relating to removal and disposal of such structures, including a case study of United Kingdom law and practice. This is followed by a survey of the law regulating cables and pipelines. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the significance of establishing EEZs in the North Sea and on the interest of the European Community (EC) in this area.