Environment Report 2013

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013

4. Management of Environmental Issues by Oil & Gas UK The Oil & Gas UK Environmental Issues Directorate works with member companies and government departments to monitor and understand the environmental impacts of oil and gas activities on the UKCS, seeking to appropriatelymanage the risks.When necessary, the directoratewill participate in the development of new environmental legislation and press for regulatory reform of existing legislation, attempting to ensure that it is fit for purpose and has a clear benefit to the environment. This is delivered by: • Monitoring the development of national and international environmental legislation, lobbying the appropriate regulatory bodies when necessary • Working with the regulators to determine the best way of implementing new and existing regulations relevant to offshore operations • Ensuring that Oil & Gas UK members are kept informed of developments and potential implications

• Monitoring and assessing the impact of operations on the environment • Analysing the Environmental Emissions Monitoring System database • Conducting literature reviews and analysis

4.1 Forums and Work Groups To effectively manage this broad range of issues the directorate works with member companies to develop cooperative solutions on behalf of the industry. This is achieved through a number of forums and work groups (see figure 1 below).

Figure 1: Oil & Gas UK Environmental Issues Directorate Forum and Work Group Structure

Environmental Issues Directorate

Decommissioning Forum

Environment Forum

Oil Spill Response Forum

Atmospherics Work Group

Environmental Sensitivities Work Group Oil Pollution Emergency Plan Work Group

Drilling Fluids Work Group Radiological Issues Work Group

Oil Spill Treatment Options Work Group

Southern North Sea Environmental Group

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