ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT BARDOLINO DEVELOPMENT

Bardolino Development Environmental Statement
4 ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The proposed Bardolino development is located in Blocks 22/11, 22/12 and 22/13 in the
central North Sea. The proposed Bardolino well location would be situated approximately 3
km east of the Howe development in Block 22/12 and 17 km east of the Nelson production
platform in Block 22/11 (Figure 4.1). Peterhead, the nearest coastal location to the Bardolino
development is 190 km to the west, and the UK/Netherlands median line is 40 km to the east
of the proposed development.
Figure 4.1 Location of the Bardolino development
4.2 OFFSHORE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT
The physical conditions of the environment influence the type and distribution of marine life in
the area, determine some of the design parameters for offshore facilities and influence the
behaviour of emissions and discharges (including spills) from offshore facilities.
4.2.1 Bathymetry
Water depth in the UK central North Sea varies between 50 m and 100 m. The seabed
topography at the development area is generally smooth with very little gradient. The water
depths in the development area range from 85 m to 91 m LAT (lowest astronomical tide), and
the water depth at the proposed Bardolino well location is 91 m LAT. Figure 4.2 illustrates
the seabed bathymetry between the proposed Bardolino well and the Howe subsea manifold
(Gardline Geosurvey Limited 2007).
April 2008 Page 4-1