THE LAW OF THE SEA AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE EXPLORATION OF HYDROCARBON DEPOSITS IN DEEP OFFSHORE NIGERIA

The Truman Proclamation of 28 September, 1945 started a process which has culminated in the ‘rat’ race by coastal state to extend the limits of their control, of expanse areas of the sea with the objective of harnessing the natural resources therein for the benefits of their people. Prior to that the freedom to navigate on and fish in the high seas were being challenged in the 15 and 16 centuries with Spain and Portugal, and to some extent Britain laying claims to areas of the open sea.' These claims of sovereignty were hardly distinguished from ownership. Portugal claimed the whole of Indian Ocean and a very large portion of Atlantic, Spain claimed for herself the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, while Britain arrogated unto herself the Narrow Seas and the North Sea.