OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANNING IN EASTERN EUROPE:A BULGARIAN CASE STUDY

摘要

The opening of Eastern Europe to western companies has created a need forinternational cooperation between these companies and Eastern European governments.This new relationship presents a particular challenge for the oil industry as well as anopportunity for emerging governments to benefit from western companies' experience. In1993, Texaco Offshore Bulgaria submitted the first western oil spill response plan for theBulgarian Black Sea. This paper presents a case study based on Dames & Moore'spreparation of this plan. The plan was prepared in cooperation with the Bulgariangovernment, and included public discussions. It joined the country's existing responseresources with Texaco's existing international response strategy. The result was a plancombining local knowledge and support and western capability and experience. Thispaper outlines the issues addressed in the plan. One critical point discussed below is thatof protecting tourist beaches, which are an essential part of the Bulgarian economy. Thepaper concludes with a discussion of how cooperation between western industry andEastern European government can result in successful oil spill response planning andhelp identify key factors for both attaining and maintaining preparedness in the face ofthe new challenges.