Sustainability Strategy Commitments

UKOOA Sustainability Strategy 2002 - First Report 3. Protecting the Environment 3.1 Environmental management   Commitment No. 40 - Sharing good practice, ensuring guideline compliance We will develop a formal framework for sharing best practice within the industry (prioritisation of areas, definition of roles and responsibilities, clarification of implementation media) by mid 2001.  We plan to agree a cross-industry action plan by end 2001. We have introduced new reporting arrangements so that the UKOOA Council is aware of cases of non-compliance with any UKOOA guideline and the reasons for it.  UKOOA companies will put the necessary controls in place to ensure that contractor companies also comply with guidelines and address past problem areas (for example, compliance with seismic guidelines). Progress to date : achievements and difficulties encountered The UKOOA framework for sharing best practice follows the policy group / technical committee structure which is continually evolving dependent on current needs.   In the environmental area best practice is chiefly shared in the following fora: The Sustainability Policy Group - created in 2001 following the publication of Striking a Balance from the earlier Environment and Energy Policy Group; discusses the higher level strategic issues facing the industry. The Operations and Technical Committee - consisting of operations managers of the UKOOA membership; discusses topical operations issues. The Environment Committee - consisting of environment managers and advisors; discussed topical environmental issues. Some ten technical working groups of the Environment Committee, including for example atmospheric emissions, environmental impact assessments, oil spills, produced water, VOCs and Waste. A chairperson, supported by a member of the UKOOA secretariat, leads the work of these various groups.  In addition the system has been developed whereby particular topical issues are followed by an 'industry champion', who develops a plan and schedule for addressing the issue and ensures the needed resources are available. Over this recent period 'best practice' and company learnings have been shared in a whole range of areas, with in some cases guidelines being prepared: Measurement and monitoring of produced water Hydrocarbon releases Measurement methods for reporting flare emissions Emissions trading Waste management EMS implementation Offshore Chemicals Regulations implementation VOC emissions abatement and mitigation Management of well clean up fluids Re-injection technology Management of cuttings piles Offshore cuttings cleaning technology. Many other issues are under active discussion and the need for best practice to be developed will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Next commitment [41. Workforce environmental awareness and training] Previous commitment [39. Biodiversity and environmentally sensitive areas] Commitment listing

Sustainability Strategy Commitments