Don Field Decommissioning Programme (pdf, 7.8MB) null - BP

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DON-BP-001Don Field Decommissioning Programme3 ConsultationBP has undertaken informal consultation with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF)and outlined their plans for decommissioning.Further consultation will be undertaken as part of the statutory decommissioningprogramme process.4 Environmental Description4.1 Physical EnvironmentThe topography of the seabed around the Don subsea development is predominantly flatand of low relief.The hydrographic regime in the location of the field is typical of the northern North Sea,being highly influenced by the inflow of Atlantic water around the north of Shetland. TheAtlantic water follows the 200m contour to the north of Shetland before passingsouthwards along the western edge of the Norwegian trench. Sea surface temperaturesrange from 7.5°C in winter to 13.5°C in summer, with seabed temperatures beingrelatively constant throughout the year at 7-8°C.Winds in the vicinity of the Don Field are highly variable. However, there are clear trendsin both directions and wind speed, with the prevailing winds being from the south andwest. Calm periods are relatively infrequent with the majority of winds during thesummer months ranging between 5.5-10.7m/s and during the winter months frequentlygreater than 17m/s.The permitted discharge of cleaned oil cuttings at Don has resulted in a small area ofcontamination and disturbance on the seabed (cuttings accumulation) as describedin Section 8.4.2 Biological EnvironmentBenthic fauna in the area of the Don Field are typical of the northern North Sea, generallybiodiversity and communities are representative of the northern North Sea with theexception of the small area of cuttings accumulation where species diversity is likely tobe reduced.The most numerically dominant species in the area are polychaete worms, especiallytwo species of Exogone, Aonides paucibranchiata, Glycera lapidum and Aricidea wassi.Molluscs were the next most abundant phylum, with the filter-feeding bivalves Limasubauriculata and Thyasira sp. being the most numerous. The crustaceans weredominated by Tmetonyx cicada, Synchelidium maculatum and Uncola planipes.Sites closest to the Don manifold were the most species impoverished, being seen tobe dominated by a community of capitellids, with Capitella capitata beparticularly numerous.Environmental Impact Assessment9-2 May 2011
Don Field Decommissioning ProgrammeDON-BP-001The planktonic assemblage in the region of the Don area is mainly made up northernintermediate (mixed water) and neritic (coastal water) species. The dominantphytoplankton species in the North Sea is the dinoflagellate Ceratia, while zooplankton isdominated by the copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. helgolandicus.The Don Field lies within spawning grounds for haddock (February-May), saithe(January-April), mackerel (June-July), and Norway pout (January-April). Haddock,mackerel, sand eel, and blue whiting also use the area as a nursery ground. Althoughthere is fish spawning and nursery activity in the vicinity of the Don Field at certain timesof the year, these form part of larger offshore areas.Within the vicinity of the Don area, seabird densities are low overall, with fulmar andguillemot being the most abundant species. The vulnerability of seabird species tosurface pollution shows that the Don area does not exhibit very high seabird vulnerabilityat any time during the year, with only July showing high vulnerability when seabirdsmove offshore from coastal breeding areas.The most abundant cetacean in the Don area is the harbour porpoise. However, thisspecies appears to be widespread across the northern and central North Sea with moreimportant populations found outside the Don area.In view of the distribution of common and grey seals, it is not expected that these wouldbe encountered in the Don area, although these animals have been sighted up to150km offshore.4.3 Commercial Fisheries and other Sea UsersThe Don Field lies in an area of high commercial value with fishing effort occurringaround the year, with demersal species dominating the landings from this area.The northern North Sea is an area of extensive offshore oil and gas activity, with theclosest fields being Magnus (BP), Thistle (Lundin) and Murchison (CNR).Shipping activity in the area is primarily associated with oil and gas support vessels,tankers and merchant vessels.No designated submarine exercise grounds or known areas of military activity lie in thevicinity of the Don Field.4.4 Conservation InterestsThere are no known habitats or species of conservation importance in close proximity tothe Don Field. The closest offshore draft Special Area of Conservation (dSAC) to the DonField is the Braemar pockmark, approximately 280km to the south.Environmental Impact AssessmentMay 2011 9-3
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