ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to present the activities of the East Med states in respect of hydrocarbons, namely the announcement of licensing rounds; the granting of exploration and exploitation licences to oil companies; the hydrocarbon reserves found; and how the European Union (EU) comes into play in view of oil and gas activities. It highlights that the EU seems to attach great significance to its involvement in the East Med energy bonanza in the face of its oft-stated aspiration to diversify its energy supply and the emergence of the East Med states as potential suppliers. The chapter offers an insight into maritime delimitation law and the delimitation agreements in the region, and makes an article-by-article commentary thereof. The Union has also set forth regulations in respect of the protection of the marine environment from oil and gas operations, as well as the safety of offshore oil installations.
