Accidental discharges of oil are the nightmare of every coastal and maritime nation. When it comes to the marine environment, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A few hours lost in responding to an oil spill can mean several extra years recovering from the damage. Environmental protection has always been a high priority for Norway. The petroleum and shipping activities of the past three decades have spawned a highly-developed oil pollution control programme which includes emergency preparedness legislation, dedicated research & development and numerous products and services.