Environment Report 2014

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2014

8. Glossary

Anthropogenic Background concentration

Relating to, stemming from, or a direct result of human activity

The normal concentrations of physical agents and chemicals in the vicinity of a site, which are naturally occurring or from human sources, not related to onsite activities Of the biological and sedimentological environment at the base of the water column, or benthos A planning option which combines the Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practice for the operation in question, ideally resulting in the least negative (or most positive) short and long-term impact on the environment The use of the most effective and suitable environmental strategies and impact limitation methods (source: OSPAR) The most recent development of technologies, facilities or methods of operation which are effective in limiting waste, discharges and emissions (source: OSPAR) Blowout preventer – a valve positioned at the top of a well that can be remotely operated and closed if control of geological reservoir fluids is lost while drilling. This prevents an uncontrolled, high pressure flow of oil, gas or saline water into the borehole or to the surface Salty water with a higher concentration of inorganic salt than standard seawater. Also a general term for some saline drilling fluids, which are used as they are denser than fresh water and are unlikely to react with any recoverable hydrocarbons A chemical or mix of chemicals that are added to cement to alter the physical properties to meet requirements, for example, to set or increase the density of the cement Barrels of oil per day Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science British Geological Survey Chemicals that are added to a fluid to kill bacteria

Benthic

Best Environmental Option

Best Environmental Practice Best Environmental Technique

BGS

Biocides

BOP

bopd Brine

CEFAS

Cement additive

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons

CH

Methane

4

CHARM

Chemical hazard and risk management

CO CO

Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide

2

CRC

Carbon Reduction Commitment

DECC

Department of Energy & Climate Change

Dispersant

A chemical used to help break up a solid or liquid into another substance

EC

European Commission

Ecosystem

A dynamic system of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit

EEMS

Environment and Emissions Monitoring Systems

page 56