ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT BARDOLINO DEVELOPMENT

Bardolino Development Environmental Statement
7 CONCLUSIONS
7.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Bardolino development activities include:
• Well Engineering
• Subsea Infrastructure Installation and Commissioning
• Existing Facilities Modification and Commissioning
• Production, Utility and Maintenance Operations
• Well Abandonment and Decommissioning
Each activity has potential sources of emissions, discharges and waste or other
environmental impacts, including accidental events. Those sources identified in this
assessment are considered to be typical of the UK offshore industry. There are no unusual or
unique emissions, discharges or other potential sources of environmental impact.
7.2 LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
In terms of marine flora and fauna, the location of the Bardolino Development is typical of the
central North Sea. While recognising that there are certain times of the year when
populations of seabirds, fish spawning and commercial fisheries are vulnerable to surface oil
pollution, it is concluded that the area is not particularly sensitive to a development of the type
proposed.
Of the four Annex I habitats listed in the Habitats Directive known to occur in UK offshore
waters, biogenic reefs and ‘submarine structures made by leaking gases’ are present in the
central North Sea. The proposed Bardolino development is located outside the Witch Ground
and known gas seep areas. The Scanner Pockmark (dSAC) in Block 15/25 and Braemar
Pockmarks (dSAC) in Block 16/3 are located approximately 67 km and 146 km, respectively,
from the proposed development site. No pockmarks were identified during the anchor
conditions survey.
Of the four species listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive known to occur in UK waters
for which selection of offshore SACs will be considered, the harbour porpoise was the only
species recorded within the proposed development area (Quadrant 22). Harbour porpoises
are present throughout most of the North Sea throughout the year, with higher numbers
occurring between May and October, but in the area of the proposed development numbers
and occurrence are likely to be low.
7.3 POTENTIAL IMPACTS
This assessment identified the following eight potential impacts as being of greatest
significance to the environment:
• the physical presence of the drilling and support vessels (including anchoring of the
drilling rig);
• the discharge of water-based mud and cuttings from the development well;
• the atmospheric emissions that would arise from the Bardolino development;
• the local disturbance to the seabed caused by pipeline trenching and possible
backfilling, rock dump stabilisation and mattressing;
• installation and physical presence of the subsea structures (manifold, tree and valve
skid);
April 2008 Page 7-1