Environmental Statement - Maersk Oil

Balloch Field Development Environmental Statement
Section 7 Conclusions
Production
Atmospheric emissions
18. Emissions from combustion equipment are regulated through EU ETS and PPC
Regulations. As part of the existing PPC permit, the following measures are in place:
Emissions from the combustion equipment are monitored;
Plant and equipment are subject to an inspection and energy maintenance
strategy;
UK and EU air quality standards are not exceeded;
Fuel gas usage is monitored.
19. To reduce emissions from flaring there is in place a minimum start up frequency policy,
adherence to good operating practices, maintenance programmes and optimisation of
quantities of hydrocarbons flared.
Discharges to sea
20. PWRI is the base case for the proposed Balloch development.
21. Produced water treatment system is subject to an inspection and engineering
maintenance strategy.
22. GPIII OPPC permit is to be amended to capture additional water volume and oil
discharged from the proposed development.
23. Chemical usage will be minimised; those chemicals that will be used will be of the lowest
toxicity HQ category.
24. Chemical use will be captured in the PON15D.
25. GPIII FPSO chemical control/spill measures include:
Tanks are fitted with overflow alarms;
Drums are stored in bunded areas (at skids or in storage areas);
Equipment is provided with drip trays.
Noise (during all phases)
26. Both the number of vessels required and the length of time the vessels are on site will be
minimised;
27. The JNCC piling protocol will be followed including:
Piling will commence using soft start;
Piling to commence in hours of daylight and good visibility;
A trained marine mammal observer (MMO) will be present during piling
operations.
Following JNCC guidance, no pile driving will commence if a marine mammal has
been recorded within 500 m of the exclusion zone during the previous 20
minutes.
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