Environmental Statement - Maersk Oil

Balloch Field Development Environmental Statement
Section 7 Conclusions
7. CONCLUSIONS
A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Balloch development has been
carried out in order to determine its potential impacts on the environment and their significance.
Identification of the potential impacts was based on the nature of the proposed activities and was
undertaken using available literature and guidance documents, industry specific experience and
guidance from DECC. The EIA process will continue throughout the project with the incorporation of
commitments made in this ES into the design process and construction, ultimately affecting the way
in which the field is produced.
7.1. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The development area is considered to be a typical Central North Sea (CNS) offshore environment
where there are no biological or physical features that are particularly sensitive to the type of
development proposed. The Balloch project may impact very briefly upon fisheries in the area during
the installation period. No protected areas or Annex I habitats are present within the vicinity of the
development. The area is already well developed with a number of oil and gas installations in the
vicinity of the project.
The potential impacts on the environment from all phases of the project were assessed. The
environmental aspects of each of the key activities for each phase of the development were identified
and the potential effects quantified in terms of their likelihood, potential significance and magnitude.
The screening results were assessed on the basis of the risk posed to the environment and were
summarised as being of low, moderate or high risk.
The initial screening assessment showed that the majority of the proposed activities are of low risk.
The only activities screened as high risk were associated with unplanned accidental events resulting in
an uncontrolled well blowout. The likelihood of a subsea blowout is very remote, with the likelihood
being further reduced by the control procedures that Maersk Oil will have in place.
Five aspects were assessed as being of moderate risk. The discharge of drilling muds and chemicals to
sea was assessed as being moderate risk. Underwater noise from piling was also found to be a
moderate risk, as was the discharge of produced water at the GPIII FPSO.
Following the identification of suitable control and mitigation measures, an additional assessment
was undertaken for activities that were initially assessed as being moderate or high risk. Following
implementation of identified mitigation and control measures, all residual risks to the environment
are considered to be low.
7.2. MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The execution of the proposed Balloch development, following the incorporation of the control
measures identified in this ES, is not expected to have a significant impact on the environment.
7.2.1. COMMITMENTS
Project specific commitments and mitigation measures to minimise the impact of the development on
the environment have been highlighted throughout the ES and are summarised in relation to the
phases of the project (drilling, subsea installation and production). These commitments will be
captured in Maersk Oil’s action tracker, Pride Synergi. Target dates and people responsible for
ensuring the measures are implemented will be identified for each of the mitigation measures.
Synergi is reviewed on a monthly basis and overdue actions brought to the management’s attention.
7 ‐ 1