The OEF Forum has been created to locate sources of information and to provide exchange of experience and expertise. The purpose of the site is to share and further develop measures capable of preventing or reducing the impact of the hazards that the offshore drilling activities might pose to the marine environment. As a matter of fact, there is a potential for environmental impacts at each stage of the offshore exploration and production process (E&P).

The site is structured as an interactive forum. It means that users can obtain information and that they are also encouraged to provide information, by publishing their own materials.

The OEF has been developed as a directory to already existing information sources and not as a database, since the latter would require ad hoc computer facilities. The ultimate goal is to identify sources of up-to-date information and make relevant new materials generally available. To this end, access is provided worldwide and use is free of charge.

The OEF Forum is directed by a Steering Group, whose members are representatives of the organisations involved in the initial project, namely UNEP-DTIE, the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the E & P Forum, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK), the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public works & Water Management - North Sea Directorate, and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. The OEF site is managed by the UNEP-DTIE on a daily basis.

www.oilandgasforum.net