Case study: International Border Disputes – Mediterranean

Oil Rig in Water

Our client's requirement

A mid-sized international oil company already had a successful offshore exploration programme in a Mediterranean country but wished to acquire additional acreage adjacent to another country's territorial waters. Before it was prepared to bid for the new block, our client wished to have a definitive understanding of whether the block was entirely in the waters of the country that was offering the acreage.

Our approach

We were commissioned to undertake a detailed study of the relevant maritime border to reassure the client of the legitimate ownership of the block. We used our highly experienced team of border experts to identify the exact location of the terminus of the land border and, from that, our cartographic experts were able to produce the precise coordinates of the bilateral maritime border and where it intersected with that of a third country.

The outcome

With the help of our study, our client was able to persuade the government to alter the coordinates of the offered block to ensure that there was no question of it straying into the territorial waters of any neighbouring country. The client subsequently made a discovery in the new block and could take informed decisions about the development of the field with greater confidence that its operations would not be postponed because of a disputed maritime border.

Regions covered

Services provided