3.2 Increasing Knowledge and Understanding of Impacts
Progress to date: achievements and difficulties encountered
Past surveys and industry supported research
The oil and gas industry has conducted much environmental research and holds a great deal of information as a result, all of which is available to interested parties. In recent years, much of this work has been collaborative, recognising that environmental protection is an area for co-operation, not competition. A prime example of this is the work done by the Atlantic Frontier Environmental Network, which has initiated regional environmental data gathering and other studies in the Atlantic Margin. These studies have helped establish an environmental baseline for the area and include seabed surveys, seabird and marine mammal monitoring, coastal protection strategies and chemical analysis of oil residues. The results have been used by many organisations - industry, government, academics and environmental groups - to increase understanding of the marine environment. Detailed information is also available on CD-ROM from over 580 individual surveys at specific UKCS sites.
The evolution of industry data collection and publication
In the early years of North Sea activity, individual companies tended to gather data informally but with the growth of the industry, it became evident that a central environmental database was necessary. In 1992, UKOOA established the Environmental Emissions Monitoring System (EEMS). Initially designed to gather data on oil discharge and chemical usage, it was expanded to include atmospheric emissions and, subsequently, details of waste. Information is gathered from every UK offshore installation against consistent criteria and is used for reporting to Government and the public. The data are used in many ways including identifying potential areas for research.
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| Sustainable Development Action Plan |
Environmental Monitoring and Research
We will develop a strategy for environmental monitoring and research following a special meeting being arranged with NGOS on this subject. This will take into account work already done at company and pan-industry level. Proposals for research will be linked to relevant initiatives in this action plan.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
We intend to set up a system for sharing of information and experience on EIAS across the industry. We will establish best practice guidelines in consultation with the DTI during 2001 and engage with NGOS throughout this process.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG): measurement and forward assessment
To facilitate discussion with government on our industry's GHG emissions within the UK total, we will, from 2001, report on all six GHGs emitted from offshore installations using DETR guidelines. In practice only three of the six GHGs are of significance offshore (CO2, CH4, N2O) with the other three (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) present in very limited quantities (if at all) and then in sealed systems and not released. We agree to provide to EEMS the necessary data, including projections, so that we may understand the shape of the expected emissions curve during this mature phase of production and the impact of future decommissioning (see also 3.3 for other actions relating to GHGs).
Provision of timely data to the industry database
We re-affirm our commitment to provide timely data to the industry database to facilitate monitoring and analysis. The range of measures on which information is needed has been expanded during the process of this strategic review - for example our commitment to give information on all six GHGs. We are also committed to providing forward projections to assist performance monitoring.
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Striking a Balance Index
