How to Address Regulatory Gap for Transboundary Oil Pollution from Offshore Installations in the Arctic

Abstract Offshore oil production has experienced a post-Covid surge, and this upward trend is expected to continue in new and challenging locations, such as the Arctic Ocean which holds significant hydrocarbon reserves. Despite active drilling by Russia and Norway in the region, the legal framework for offshore oil production in the Arctic Ocean lacks a comprehensive legal liability regime for transboundary oil pollution from offshore installations. This research highlights the urgent need to address this regulatory gap and develop a legal framework that can accommodate the increased level of activity in the region while protecting the fragile Arctic ecosystem.