Safety is non-negotiable. The EU needs common legislation for offshore oil and gas platforms, reducing the risk of an environmental disaster in European waters.

After the catastrophic explosion of a US drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year, the commission took a hard look at EU safety and environmental standards for the oil industry.

It found that safety standards are generally high, though there are gaps in legislation, mostly due to differing standards between countries. Rules often vary from company to company.