Environment Report 2013

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013

of surveys undertaken over the past 20 years. This group has also been working with regulators to establish the requirements for oil spill modelling in the preparation of Oil Pollution Emergency Plans. • Oil Pollution Emergency Plan [OPEP] Work Group – this group has developed a framework document to help with the preparation of effective OPEPs and is involved in revising the National Contingency Plan 10 . • Oil Spill Treatment Options [OSTO]Work Group – the use of dispersants and the development of a protocol for environmental monitoring during a spill have continued to be the key focus for the group. The forum’s work enables continual improvements to be made to industry data and processes. The group’s input allows for effective and appropriate planning, resulting in more informed decision making and more effective responses to be made in the face of challenging business situations. Decommissioning Forum The Decommissioning Forum has completed and initiated several decommissioning studies and projects: • Publications produced as a result of these studies include: Decommissioning of Pipelines in the North Sea Region ; Database of Pipelines on the UKCS ; Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement During Decommissioning Activities ; Long Term Degradation of Offshore Structures and Pipelines ; and Decommissioning of Steel Piled Jackets in the North Sea Region 11 . • Development of the industry position on the removal of installations, informed by the above publications, to prepare DECC for the OSPAR Offshore Industry Committee (OIC) meeting in March 2013 at which Decision 98/3 was reviewed 12 . • Technology review studies have been commissioned in key areas of drill cuttings pile management. This information will be used to develop an industry position for the OSPAR OIC meeting in March 2014 at which recommendation 2006/5 13 will be reviewed. • Oil & Gas UK’s Environmental Issues Directorate has facilitated the establishment of a Long Term Environmental Study which seeks to provide stakeholders with the science needed to better understand the effect of man-made structures on the North Sea ecosystem. This is an independent scientifically-led joint industry programme. The publications are of significant value to our members in that they provide a clear industry forecast for decommissioning and its associated challenges on the UKCS. They also serve to improve efficiency and heighten awareness. The Long Term Environmental Study will gather necessary scientific evidence to support any future discussions on decommissioning regulation whilst creating an opportunity to enhance industry’s engagement with stakeholders and demonstrate its commitment to invest significantly in a greater understanding of the North Sea ecosystem. 10 The National Contingency Plan (NCP) for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations fulfils the UK Government’s obligations under the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 (the ‘OPRC Convention’). The NCP provides details of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency strategy for counter pollution response. See www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/ mcga-dops_cp_environmental-counter-pollution_and_response/mcga2007-ncp.htm 11 These publications can be downloaded from the decommissioning section of Oil & Gas UK’s website at www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/knowledgecentre/decommissioning.cfm 12 OSPAR Decision 98/3 requires all installations to be removed from the seabed at the end of their working life, unless there are exceptional circumstances that would prevent this. Certain installations can be given a derogation from this requirement and the criteria for derogation are reviewed every five years by the OSPAR OIC. See www.ospar.org/documents/dbase/decrecs/decisions/od98-03e.doc 13 The management of drill cutting piles is subject to OSPAR Recommendation 2006/5 which is reviewed by the OSPAR OIC every five years. See www.ospar.org/documents/dbase/decrecs/recommendations/06-05e_Rec%20drill%20 cuttings%20regime.doc

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