As more offshore oil and gas discoveries, some of them dramatic, take place in areas where maritime boundaries can be disputed, effectivités have become key considerations in resolving some of the resulting conflicts. A basic understanding of the theory of effectivités is therefore valuable to policymakers and other stakeholders. Accordingly, this commentary provides a layperson’s perspective on the application of effectivités, and examines both current and potential disputes in which states might attempt to deploy this principle to gain control of contested maritime territories.
