Environment Report 2014

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2014

6.2.2 Oil Spill Response Toolkit OSPRAG advocated the use of a ‘tiered toolkit’ for response to oil spill incidents on the UKCS. The ‘toolkit’ comprises the various response options that are available to operators for different incident scenarios as described in the OPEP. As part of the toolkit, a series of written Response Implementation Guides have been developed through Oil & Gas UK’s Oil Spill Response Forum to describe the operational requirements (including equipment and resources) to implement the chosen strategy. These have been designed for onshore response personnel and as an addition to the current regulatory requirements. In 2014, Response Implementation Guides have been developed on dispersant application from planes, vessels and application subsea, as well as containment and recovery operations offshore. Further guides will be drafted in 2015. 6.2.3 UK Benthos Re-Analysis From 2013 to 2014, Oil & Gas UK commissioned academics at Heriot-Watt University to carry out an in-depth review of the benthic survey data held in the UK Benthos database. The analysis looked at the spatial and temporal distribution and trends in the data focusing on the impact of drill cuttings (see section 3.4) and the North Atlantic Oscillation 27 . This research is being used to develop more focused monitoring strategies. The North Atlantic Oscillation is a climatic phenomenon which affects the levels of precipitation and sea temperature. It is important to understand the effect of such climatic conditions on local ecosystem communities to allow proper assessment of any impact from human activities. 6.2.4 Stakeholder Engagement Oil & Gas UK works with industry sector stakeholders such as the renewable and fishing sectors on issues that affect our members. The oil and gas industry has a long collaborative history with the fishing industry and regularly works with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and the National Federation of Fishing Organisations on issues such as Fisheries Liaison Guidelines and supply of data on the location of infrastructure to the Fishermen and the Fisheries Compensation Fund. In 2014, Oil & Gas UK worked with the renewables sector and the Crown Estate to draft a technical note for members to improve understanding on the renewable development consenting process and how this interacts with field developments.

27 See www.ncdc.noaa.gov/teleconnections/nao.php

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