Environmental Statement - Maersk Oil

2.9. PERMITTING
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Balloch Field Development Environmental Statement
Section 2 Proposed Development
The GPIII FPSO already has permits in place covering both atmospheric emissions and discharges to
sea. Details of any changes to these permits as a result of the Balloch development are provided in
the subsequent sections.
2.9.1. ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS
Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Permit (Permit reference: PPC 17)
The FPSO has an existing permit under the Offshore Combustion Installations (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Regulations 2001 (as amended). The emissions resulting from the incremental increase
in fuel consumption are not expected to result in an increase in atmospheric emissions above those
authorised under the PPC permit, therefore no changes to the permit are expected to be required.
EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) (Permit reference: DTI 9700)
The GPIII FPSO has an existing permit under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
Regulations 2005 (as amended). The Balloch development project will not result in an increase in
power demand on the GPIII that will generate additional emissions above historic levels and the
permit is not expected to be amended. It is also unlikely that the installation will be eligible to apply
for CO2 allowances from the New Entrants Reserve (NER).
2.9.2. DISCHARGES TO SEA
Oil Pollution Prevention and Control (OPPC) (Permit reference: L00349.23)
The GPIII has a permit for the discharge and re‐injection of PW from the Donan and Lochranza fields
in accordance with the Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations (OPPC)
2005 (as amended 2011). As Balloch will be a new field and will result in an increase in the total
volumes of PW discharged overboard and re‐injected, an amendment to the existing OPPC life permit
will be applied for.
Chemical Use (Permit reference PON15D/765/37(Version1)
The GPIII has a current chemical permit and it is anticipated that there will be an increase in chemical
usage as a result of the Balloch development. Maersk Oil will ensure that the relevant permits to use
and discharge chemicals offshore will be applied for and that the chemical permit is updated in
accordance with the Offshore Chemical Regulations 2002 (as amended 2011).
2.10. DECOMMISSIONING
At cessation of production, the well, subsea structures and associated production facilities will be
decommissioned in accordance with statutory requirements in force at that time.
There are a variety of environmental effects relating to the decommissioning of the subsea
infrastructure and pipelines. These include emissions to air and water, waste disposal, energy use,
onshore disposal and recycling. The nature and extent of the potential environmental effects is
dependent on the decommissioning strategy selected.
It is outside the scope of this ES to present a detailed assessment of the decommissioning options. As
an integral component of the decommissioning process, Maersk Oil will undertake a study to
comparatively assess the technical, cost, health, safety and environmental aspects of
decommissioning options, for which a further EIA will be required.
Detailed decommissioning plans will be submitted to DECC for the decommissioning of Balloch at the
appropriate times, dependent on the COP and the end of field life. The date of COP and the
commencement of decommissioning of associated facilities will depend upon field performance, field
economics, the production of other fields tied back to the GPIII FPSO and associated operating costs.