The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi

9 Impact assessment
David Boertmann, Anders Mosbech, Doris Schiedek & Susse Wegeberg (AU)
9.1 Methodology and scope
The following assessment is based on available information compiled from
studies published in scientific journals and reports, from previous NERI
technical reports (e.g. Mosbech et al. 1996a, Boertmann et al. 1998, Mosbech
et al. 1998, Mosbech 2002, Mosbech et al. 2007) and information from the oil
spill sensitivity atlas prepared for most of West Greenland, including the assessment
area (Mosbech et al. 2000, Mosbech et al. 2004b, a). Based on the information
needs and knowledge gaps identified in chapter 12, supplementary
studies may be carried out subsequent to this preliminary SEIA. Results
from these studies will form part of the impact assessment in an updated
version of this preliminary SEIA.
9.1.1 Boundaries
The assessment area covers the area described in the introduction (Fig.
1.1.1). It is the region which potentially can be impacted by oil exploration
related activities and particularly by a large and long-lasting oil spill deriving
from activities in the expected licence areas. However, it cannot be ruled
out that the area affected might be even larger, including coasts both north
and south of the assessment area and also areas on the Canadian side of Davis
Strait.
The assessment includes, as far as possible, all activities associated with an
oil field, from exploration to decommissioning. Exploration activities are expected
to take place during summer and autumn due to the possibility of ice
cover in winter and early spring, especially in the western part of the assessment
area.
Production activities will, if decided upon and initiated, take place throughout
the year. How potential production facilities will be constructed is presently
not known, but setup is likely to be similar to that described for the
Disko West area by the APA (2003) study, cf. section 2.6.
9.1.2 Impact assessment procedures
The first step of an assessment is to identify potential interactions (overlap/contact)
between potential petroleum activities and important ecological
components in the area, both in time and space. Interactions are then evaluated
for their potential to cause impacts.
Since it is often not possible to evaluate all ecological components in the area,
the concept of Valued Ecosystem Components (VEC) can be applied.
VECs can be species, populations, biological events or other environmental
features that are important to the human population (not only economically),
have a national or international profile, can act as indicators of environmental
change, or can be the focus of management or other administrative
efforts. VECs can also be important flora and fauna groups, habitats (also
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