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Service contract to support the

Development of a BAT reference document on


upstream hydrocarbon exploration and
production (Hydrocarbons BREF)
Technical Working Group kick-off meeting background paper

September 2015
Amec Foster Wheeler Environment
& Infrastructure UK Limited

Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited

Draft - see disclaimer

Contents

1.

General information

1.1

Introduction

1.2

Project background

1.3

Purpose and content of this background paper

1.4

Before coming to the meeting

1.5

Objectives of the kick-off meeting

1.6

Time schedule for drawing up the Hydrocarbons BREF

1.7

Role of the TWG and of the contractor

The role of the TWG members


The role of the contractor is to:

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2.

Scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF

2.1

Introduction

11

2.2

Proposal for the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF

11

2.3

Limitation on the scope and exclusions to be discussed at the kick-off meeting

15

2.4

Structure of the Hydrocarbons BREF and types of supplementary documents

15

Hydrocarbons BREF
Supplementary materials

11

15
16

3.

Key processes and environmental impacts

18

3.1

Introduction

18

3.2

Key environmental issues

18

4.

Identification of BAT and BARM

4.1

Information required on BAT and BARM (elements needed)

21

4.2

Process for identification of BAT and BARM

21

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Overview
Identification of BAT for routine operations
Identification of techniques for risk management (BARM)

21
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4.3

Format of conclusions on BAT and BARM

23

5.

Data collection

5.1

Data collection process

5.2

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29

Confidentiality

29

Information exchange IT platform

29

Table 1.1
Table 3.1
Table 3.2

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Proposed milestones for Hydrocarbons BREF


Key environmental risks and impacts related to upstream onshore exploration and production
Key environmental risks and impacts related to upstream offshore exploration and production

Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited

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Figure 2.1
Figure 2.2
Figure 4.1
Figure 4.2
Figure 4.3
Figure 4.4

Scope of Hydrocarbons BREF boundary offshore upstream production


Scope of Hydrocarbons BREF boundary onshore upstream production
Categories of environmental risk management (RM)
Risk management process according to ISO 31000:2009
Example 1: An individual BAT conclusion that contains an associated emission level
Example 2: An individual BARM conclusion with an associated environmental performance level

Appendix A: Details of key activities undertaken for upstream hydrocarbon production installations
Appendix B: Details of initial conclusion on risks for key activities (to prioritise key environmental issues)
Appendix C: Possible table for scoring risk assessment approaches against ISO 31000

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1.

General information

1.1

Introduction

The European Union (EU) is currently facing challenges in domestic production of natural gas and
crude oil, resulting in an increase in import dependency for these fossil fuels. In order to improve the
security of energy supply, the EU is currently developing strategies for further diversification of its
energy supply including the development of renewable and other indigenous energy sources1.
Offshore operations are moving towards more technically challenging formations and environments
and Member States are currently assessing the potential for the development of unconventional
hydrocarbon sources using hydraulic fracturing, not only onshore but also offshore. There is also
increased use of stimulation and enhanced recovery techniques in conventional activities, to maximise
production.
On 28 May 2014 the Commission adopted a Communication on a European Energy Security Strategy2
that calls upon Member States to exploit, where this option is chosen, hydrocarbons () taking into
account the decarbonisation priorities. This Communication also recalls that conventional oil and gas
resources should be developed in Europe, both in traditional production areas and in newly discovered
areas, in full compliance with energy and environmental legislation, including the Offshore Safety
Directive 2013/30/EU3.
A number of pieces of both general legislation and environmental legislation apply to upstream
hydrocarbon exploration and production from both conventional and unconventional sources at the EU
level. As a complement to existing EU legislation, the Commission adopted a Recommendation4 on
minimum principles for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons (such as shale gas) using highvolume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF). The Recommendation called on Member States to, inter alia,
ensure that operators use best available techniques (BAT). Both the Communication on the
exploration and production of hydrocarbons using HVHF5 and the Communication on energy security
announced that the Commission would organise an exchange of information between Member States,
the relevant industries and non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection in
order to identify the Best Available Techniques. The Energy Security Communication explicitly called
for the development of a BREF for hydrocarbon exploration and production covering hydrocarbon
development from both conventional and unconventional sources (the Hydrocarbons BREF). The
Hydrocarbons BREF is intended to be complementary to the BREF on management of waste from
extractive industries6 that is currently under review and will identify BAT for the management of waste
from onshore hydrocarbon exploration and production.
The technical working group (TWG) established to draw up the Hydrocarbons BREF will hold its kickoff meeting from 13 to 15 of October 2015. The purpose of this background paper is to provide
members of the TWG with an outline of the matters that are proposed for discussion at the kick-off
meeting.

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/141749.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/doc/20140528_energy_security_communication.pdf

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:178:0066:0106:EN:PDF

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32014H0070

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52014DC0023R(01)

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1404484842400&uri=CELEX:32006L0021

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Participation in the TWG provides an opportunity to demonstrate and 'showcase' the best
environmental management practices already being applied in Europe and beyond in the industry.
Addressing public concerns and environmental impacts are key to the development of the sector. The
Hydrocarbons BREF will address such issues for hydrocarbons exploration and extraction activities.

1.2

Project background

Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Ltd (hereinafter the contractor) has been
contracted by Directorate General Environment of the European Commission (hereinafter the
Commission) under Contract No. 070201/2015/706065/SER/ENV.F.1 to support the development of a
BREF on upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production.
The Hydrocarbons BREF will be able to be used as a reference by industry in the development of new
and novel techniques by providing a clear picture of what can be considered BAT and BARM for the
management of impacts and risks of hydrocarbons exploration and production.
The BREF will establish EU-wide BAT and BARM, based on an assessment of the most advanced
industry practices, taking into account that companies have developed their own techniques and some
of them have set themselves high safety and environmental management standards.
BREF is the abbreviation for Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference document. BREFs
summarise BAT already applied in a given industrial sector under economically viable conditions. As
such, these reference documents reflect existing performance in the real world and so help to share a
common understanding of high-level performance across different types of industrial activities. The
overall objective of this contract is to support the Commission in the identification of the Best Available
Techniques (BAT) and Best Available Techniques for Risk Management (BARM) for the upstream
hydrocarbons exploration and production sector through the production of a Hydrocarbons BREF
(hereinafter the Hydrocarbons BREF). This should assist licensing and permitting by competent
authorities of Member States.
BAT in this context means:
the most effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their methods of operation
which indicates the practical suitability of particular techniques for providing the basis for emission limit
values and other permit conditions designed to prevent and, where that is not practicable, to reduce
emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole:
techniques includes both the technology used and the way in which the installation is
designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
available techniques means those developed on a scale which allows implementation in the
relevant industrial sector, under economically and technically viable conditions, taking into
consideration the costs and advantages, whether or not the techniques are used or produced
inside the Member State in question, as long as they are reasonably accessible to the
operator; and
best means most effective in achieving a high general level of protection of the environment
as a whole.
BARM effectively sits within the definition of BAT above. The explicit reference to BARM, however,
reflects on the significant focus that exists within the upstream hydrocarbons exploration and
production sector in the implementation of measures to avoid and minimise effects on the environment
resulting from incidents and accidents. This makes the identification of BARM a specific task under
this project.
In undertaking this work, the purpose of the contract is to organise an exchange of information aimed
at elaborating the content of a Hydrocarbons BREF which:

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a) collects information on technologies and practices applied in the EU (and where insufficient
experience is available in the EU, worldwide) in the hydrocarbon upstream exploration and
production sector for onshore and offshore activities;
b) determines, where relevant, associated environmental and operational performance
indicators;
c) takes into account the entire life cycle of a well/pad/concession site from the planning phase
to the post-closure phase;
d) specifies, where relevant, environmental and operational monitoring needs;
e) assesses economics of the application of BAT and BARM for the sector;
f) proposes BAT and BARM.
The Technical Working Group (TWG) will take the form of an informal expert group comprised of
representatives of the Member States; industries concerned with hydrocarbons exploration and
production, including equipment and material suppliers and service providers; and non-governmental
organisations promoting environmental protection and safety of workers. The TWG will be involved in
the exchange of information highlighted above and is the primary audience of this background paper.

1.3

Purpose and content of this background paper

This background paper has been prepared by the contractor and lays down the issues proposed for
discussion at the TWG kick-off meeting. It outlines the Hydrocarbons BREF process and the
proposed detailed scope of the BREF and is supplemented by a strategy for data collection and a
proposal for priorities for the elaboration of the BREF.
Although it is recognised that many members of the TWG may already have views on what constitutes
BAT and BARM for upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production, at this first TWG meeting the
intention is to focus on agreeing the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF and on the type of information
that the TWG members can provide to assist in the determination of BAT and BARM.
Section 2 of this paper contains a proposal for the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF. In section 3, a
proposal for the scope of the processes and operations is presented and the key environmental issues
are identified; these will be the basis for the technical descriptions to be included in the Hydrocarbons
BREF. Section 4 presents the range and type of data needed in order to reach conclusions on BAT
and BARM.
Proposals which are to be discussed at the kick-off meeting are set out in a box within the document.
It is expected that the kick-off meeting will provide the basis for discussing and agreeing the scope of
the Hydrocarbons BREF, and the key environmental issues to be covered.

1.4

Before coming to the meeting

Please take note of the following advisory actions for you to complete before attending the kick-off
meeting:
1. If you believe that issues other than those included in this background paper need to
be discussed at the kick-off meeting please address your request for inclusion to
catherine.baker@amecfw.com by Friday 2 October 2015. Such a request must also
include a justification / rationale for each new item proposed. These suggestions will be
discussed at the kick-off meeting;
2. Essential background reading It is recommended that each TWG member read and
familiarise themselves with the contents of:
a. this background paper;
b. the strategy for data collection; and

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c.

the proposals for priorities for the Hydrocarbons BREF; and

3. Consider the types of information you hold related to BAT and BARM that you could
bring to the information exchange process and prepare to indicate as such during the
meeting.

1.5

Objectives of the kick-off meeting

The kick-off meeting will initiate the information exchange process, by facilitating discussions of the
proposals raised in this background paper together with any further issues that are raised in the
meeting.
The success of the kick-off meeting and the decisions made will rely heavily upon input from
attendees, and it is therefore important that all attendees consider the matters raised in this paper
carefully, prior to coming to the meeting, so that they can raise questions and make suggestions
during the meeting.
The TWG is a technical group and the discussions to be held at its meetings will be technically related
to offshore and onshore exploration and production of hydrocarbons. It is not a forum for discussion of
political or procedural issues related to current or future EU policy. Consequently, attendees should
understand, in general, the technical matters related to this subject.
The aims of the kick-off meeting are included in the following list:
To get to know each other as members of the TWG and to share experiences and
information.
To discuss and agree upon the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF.
To discuss and agree upon the structure of the Hydrocarbons BREF.
To determine the main environmental issues and risks that the Hydrocarbons BREF will
focus on.
To discuss and agree on the data collection process, types of data/information that are
needed, and to identify specific contributors for these data/information.
To present the tools that the TWG will use to collect, exchange and analyse information.
In particular, the internet based platform will be presented to the TWG.
To clarify issues concerning confidentiality of information submitted by TWG members.
To agree on a general timeframe for the work.
As a result of the kick-off meeting, the process for drawing up the Hydrocarbons BREF will be clarified
so that the TWG and Amec Foster Wheeler can be assigned clear tasks.
During the kick-off meeting, the discussions will be kept general, and will not include in-depth technical
debates. For example, deciding whether a particular technique is BAT or BARM will not be discussed
at this stage, as answers to questions of this nature need to be informed by the subsequent data
collection exercise.

1.6

Time schedule for drawing up the Hydrocarbons BREF

The work flow includes two plenary TWG meetings. Between these meetings two formal drafts of the
Hydrocarbons BREF will be presented to the TWG for comments. The overall process is scheduled to
take 35 months. The milestones are as follows:

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Table 1.1

Proposed milestones for Hydrocarbons BREF

BREF development step

Specific milestones for Hydrocarbons BREF

Kick-off meeting of TWG

13-15 October 2015

Questionnaire for data collection (if required)

January 2016

Information gathering

A deadline for providing information will be set at the kick-off


meeting. The beginning of September 2016 is suggested.

First draft of the Hydrocarbons BREF

February 2017

TWG comments

April 2017

Elaboration of 2nd Hydrocarbons BREF

October 2017

TWG comments

December 2017

Elaboration of final draft of the Hydrocarbons


BREF for TWG meeting

March 2018

Final meeting of TWG

April 2018

10

Elaboration of final version of the


Hydrocarbons BREF

June 2018

1.7

Role of the TWG and of the contractor

This section aims to provide a general overview of the role of the TWG and the contractor (Amec
Foster Wheeler).

The role of the TWG members


The TWG members should be prepared to
collect, verify and assess targeted technical and economic information on exploration
and exploitation of hydrocarbons and to identify best practices in the EU (and where
insufficient experience is available in the EU) worldwide;
Provide feedback on the draft Hydrocarbons BREF;
propose and verify the analysis of candidate techniques for BAT and Best Available Risk
Management Practices.
TWG members should be prepared to actively participate in this exchange of information process that
will be the core activity of the group.
Apart from the kick-off meeting, the group will have a Final meeting in May 2018 which will resolve
outstanding issues of the exchange of information with a view to concluding the technical discussions
within the group.
In addition to the meetings of the group, meetings of subgroups on the basis of a mandate issued by
the Commission might be convened on an ad-hoc basis.

The role of the contractor is to:


Collect, verify and assess information on exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons,
identify best performing installations in the EU (and where insufficient experience is
available in the EU, worldwide).

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Interact with the TWG on information to be provided by the TWG. If TWG members
provide incomplete or insufficient information, the contractor will ask the TWG for
completion.
Visit installations to gather and validate information for drawing up the BREF, if and
where necessary; this may involve visits by Amec Foster Wheeler to installations in
different EU Member States and outside the EU.
Identify candidate techniques for BAT and BARM.
Treat information that is not available in the public domain as confidential if this is
requested by the TWG. Information collected will only be used for the purpose of
elaborating the Hydrocarbons BREF.
Prepare all drafts of the Hydrocarbons BREF as well as the final Hydrocarbons BREF.

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2.

Scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF

2.1

Introduction

The Hydrocarbons BREF, will be a non-binding BREF for the permitting of installations for the
exploration and production of hydrocarbons.
The overall scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF covers environmental impacts and risks of upstream
hydrocarbons exploration and production activities and should address the entire lifecycle of extraction
of natural gas and crude oil in all phases of a project. In particular, the Hydrocarbons BREF should
address activities with current or likely future relevance in the EU which may pose a potential
environmental or human health concern, including major accidents. The Hydrocarbons BREF will be
compatible with, and complementary to, the risk management framework of the Offshore Safety
Directive.
The Hydrocarbons BREF should identify:
BAT to manage the impacts (i.e. prevention or mitigation of releases of pollutants during
normal operations of an installation);
Best Available Risk Management (BARM) Practices (e.g. for releases of substances to
the environment as a result of unplanned incidents that are not part of normal operations
or for seismic events).

2.2

Proposal for the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF

Geographical coverage
Depending on the geographical location of the facilities, the upstream exploration and production of
hydrocarbons can divided into onshore and offshore facilities. Some processes and technologies are
the same in onshore and offshore facilities but there are also differences which lead to different
potential risks and impacts.

Proposal 1
It is proposed that the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF will cover:
Activities within the European Union;
Onshore facilities;
Onshore activities that are covered by the Management of waste from extractive
industries BREF will be excluded from the scope;
Offshore facilities.
It is proposed that the Hydrocarbons BREF does not duplicate activities covered by other BREFs
e.g. for Large Combustion Plants, Management of Waste in Extractive Industries, Waste Treatment.

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Conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons
The oil and gas industry distinguishes between conventional fossil fuels (CFF) and unconventional
fossil fuel (UFF). A universally recognised distinction between CFF and UFF is not available and the
Hydrocarbons BREF will not seek to define these terms. Instead, it will focus on those activities,
processes and environments with greatest potential for impacts and risks on the environment.
Whilst past EU exploration and production of hydrocarbons including natural gas have focused mainly
on conventional resources, technological advances, in particular in the United States and, have
opened up the possibility of extensive development of fossil fuels from unconventional reservoirs.
While there is still considerable uncertainty as to their precise volume, reserves of unconventional
fossil fuels in the EU are deemed significant.

Proposal 2
It is proposed to include both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons within the scope of the
Hydrocarbons BREF. More specifically it is proposed to cover the exploration and production of the
following products (the end products themselves are relatively similar (oil/gas), it is more the
geological formations / technique for extraction that differ):
Natural gas from:
Conventional sources;
Shale formations ("shale gas");
Low permeability reservoirs ("tight gas");
Coal-bed methane;
Oil from:
Conventional sources;
Tight oil.

Life-cycle stages
A number of studies have been undertaken on behalf of the Commission Services on the risks and
impacts of upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production (and on possible measures to address
these). These studies have characterised a number of stages across extraction which can be defined
across the well and field lifecycle. In particular the AEA (2012) study on hydraulic fracturing in shale
summarised six key stages as:
Stage 1: Site identification and preparation.
Stage 2: Well design; drilling; casing; cementing; perforation.
Stage 3: Technical hydraulic fracturing.
Stage 4: Well completion and management of wastewater.
Stage 5: Production.
Stage 6: Decommissioning.
Subsequent studies by Amec Foster Wheeler (with IPPE and Philippe and Partners) to look at all
unconventional (and subsequently conventional) fossil fuels recognised that hydraulic fracturing
acted as an additional life-cycle stage compared to the conventional upstream production of oil and
gas. On that basis for those operations that do not involve hydraulic fracturing five key life-cycle
stages exist.

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Proposal 3
It is proposed that the Hydrocarbons BREF will cover the following life-cycle stages:
Site identification and preparation (establish baseline environmental conditions,
exploration);
Well design, drilling, casing and cementing;
Well stimulation including technical hydraulic fracturing, enhanced recovery (where
relevant);
Well completion;
Production (oil and gas extraction);
Project cessation, well closure and decommissioning.

Boundaries of operations
Together with defining the lifecycle stages, the scope of operations that will be covered by the
Hydrocarbons BREF needs to be defined. For offshore upstream exploration and production,
operations may require the development of port facilities and oil and gas pipeline infrastructure. Such
operations are considered outside the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF as such operations are
considered separately from the upstream oil and gas exploration and production process itself (e.g.
port facilities are required by other types of industry such as ship building and offshore renewables).
In a similar manner, the onshore upstream production methods might include only the development
and operation of the production site and any onsite storage prior to product distribution.

Proposal 4
It is proposed that the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF to be limited to the environmental risks and
impacts associated with the upstream exploration and production of hydrocarbons from onshore
and offshore conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons only.
It is proposed that the Hydrocarbons BREF does not cover any downstream activities such as
processing of crude oil and gas.
It is proposed that the techniques to be included in the Hydrocarbons BREF should under no
circumstances lead to a reduction in safety of workers.

Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2 illustrate at a high level those processes and technologies covered within
the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF. All activities that occur outside of the red dotted lines are
proposed to be excluded from the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF.

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Figure 2.1

Scope of Hydrocarbons BREF boundary offshore upstream production

Figure 2.2

Scope of Hydrocarbons BREF boundary onshore upstream production

Proposal 5
Regarding the scale of operations to be covered by the Hydrocarbons BREF it is proposed to cover
all operations irrespective of the scale (e.g. production levels, water use etc.). However, the work
will be focused on those operations with greatest potential for adverse environmental impacts and
risks.

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2.3

Limitation on the scope and exclusions to be discussed at the


kick-off meeting

Issues that are covered by other BREFs are proposed to be excluded from the scope of the
Hydrocarbons BREF. Where European legislation or International treaties (e.g. MARPOL) apply to
the application of techniques related to BAT and BARM in the upstream exploration and production of
hydrocarbons, the content of the Hydrocarbons BREF will be drafted in a manner that is
complementary to such legal obligations. In this context the Hydrocarbons BREF may provide
conclusions on BAT and BARM that assist in the implementation of such legal obligations.

Proposal 6
The scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF is proposed not to cover the following activities:
Waste from upstream onshore exploration and production activities that are covered
by the MWEI BREF (management of waste from extractive industries);
Activities described in BREFs under Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions
(integrated pollution prevention and control)
Transportation by vessels or air transfer (e.g. helicopters);
Pollution from ships;
Activities subsequent to loading/unloading into vessels, subsea transport pipelines,
etc.
Safety of work and workers health (save to the extent that worker safety should not
be compromised).

2.4

Structure of the Hydrocarbons BREF and types of supplementary


documents

As previously mentioned, the intention is for the Hydrocarbons BREF to be relatively short and to be
supported by/refer to supplementary materials. The structure of the Hydrocarbons BREF and the type
of supplementary documents is provided in the following sections.

Hydrocarbons BREF
Collection of all types of emissions data from every oil and gas installation would be a time-consuming
exercise and, in the case of the hydrocarbons extraction sector, is unlikely to bring significant benefits
to the drafting of the BREF.
Therefore the Hydrocarbons BREF will not provide a baseline assessment of emissions from all
individual upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production facilities across the EU. Rather, the
focus will be on the identification of the key environmental issues that exist in relation to such activities
and to collect data on the types of BAT and BARM that are applied to address such issues, based on
data from installations in the EU, and potentially elsewhere. The aim will therefore be to focus data
collection at the level of installations to the most essential parameters needed to determine BAT and
BARM.
Overall, the intention should not be to write a manual for upstream oil and gas production, but rather to
identify the best available techniques for managing environmental impacts and risks, and to refer to
examples of good practice where these already exist.
As a result, it is proposed that the structure of the Hydrocarbons BREF be concise in content.

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The structure proposed for the Hydrocarbons BREF is:
Preface: legislative/ policy context and how information was collected and assessed.
Scope: description of activities covered by the document.
Conclusions: Sets out what are BAT and BARM for the sector based upon the
information exchange. The chapter might also list techniques that are not considered
BAT or BARM due to factors such as poor or non-credible environmental performance,
lack of availability, affordability, technical and/or economic considerations for crossmedia effects, or operational reliability.
Concluding remarks.
Glossary of terms and abbreviations.

Supplementary materials
General information about the sector concerned: numbers and production capacity of
installations, geographical distribution, economics, key environmental issues, overall
emission and consumption data.
Applied processes and techniques: description of processes and techniques currently
applied in the life cycle of hydrocarbons projects intended for the upstream exploration
and production of natural gas and crude oil.
Potential environmental risks: description of potential risks arising from upstream
exploration and production activities, including unplanned events/ accidents, and risks
arising from specific activities that vary amongst installations (e.g. chemicals used and
waste management practices); review of statistical data on accidents and environmental
damage.
Current emission and consumption levels: observed usage of energy, water and raw
materials, emissions of key pollutants to air and water, generation of residues/wastes
from the activities, emissions of noise and odour. (This and the preceding two chapters
could be merged into a single chapter.)
Techniques to consider in the determination of BARM and BAT: catalogue of
techniques for, and, if relevant, associated monitoring for:
Prevention and management of environmental risks from unplanned
events/ accidents.
Prevention and management of environmental risks from wastes.
Preventing emissions to air, groundwater and surface water, soil and underground or,
where this is not practicable, for reducing emissions (from normal operation).
Reducing the use of raw materials, water and energy.
Site remediation measures.
Measures taken to prevent or reduce pollution under other than normal operating
conditions.
Emerging techniques: Describes the novel techniques identified for the sector.
Recommendations for further work.
References.

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Proposal 7
To discuss and agree on the structure of the Hydrocarbons BREF based on the structure presented
above.

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3.

Key processes and environmental impacts

3.1

Introduction

This section of the background paper covers the key processes and related environmental issues/risk
that should be addressed by the Hydrocarbons BREF.

3.2

Key environmental issues

The contractor has reviewed the risks and risk mitigation measures relevant to conventional and
unconventional hydrocarbons including stimulation techniques other than hydraulic fracturing. This
review was based primarily on a number of studies undertaken for the European Commission, which
in turn draw upon a wide range of different literature sources and industry expertise. Appendix B
provides a summary of a (draft) categorisation and prioritisation of environmental issues relevant to
onshore and offshore hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.
Based on that review, the highest risk/impact activities from upstream exploration and production of
hydrocarbons are set out in the tables below. Many of these potential impacts are of course welladdressed by practices in existing and planned installations, and it is these practices that the BREF
will seek to capture. (Note that the wording of the activities/processes concerned has been modified
compared to that in Appendix B, to help with setting the scope of the Hydrocarbons BREF.

Proposal 8
It is proposed that the Hydrocarbons BREF should focus on identifying BAT and BARM for the key
environmental risks and impacts listed in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2. This should be subject to
discussion with the TWG at the kick-off meeting.

Table 3.1 Key environmental risks and impacts related to upstream onshore exploration and
production
Issue

Relevant activities/processes/techniques

Groundwater
contamination

Site selection and underground characterisation

Well pad construction (spillages)

Well integrity / well casing (leakage of chemicals and seepage of oil and gas)

Drilling wells - handling of drilling muds and fluids from drilling

Well commissioning (hydrostatic testing water dosing and disposal)

Handling of fluids from well completion (spillages)

Production (spillages)

Handling of fluids emerging at the surface following hydraulic fracturing (produced/flowback water)

Well stimulation including hydraulic fracturing and enhanced recovery (direct groundwater
contamination by chemicals and hydrocarbons)

Machinery (hydrocarbon spillage and seepage)

Drilling wells - handling of drilling muds and fluids from drilling (surface run-off from surface spillage
and leakage of chemicals, oil, contaminated sediments, drill muds and fluids, drill cuttings)

Handling of fluids from well completion (spillage and seepage)

Production (spillages)

Surface water
contamination

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Issue

Relevant activities/processes/techniques

Water resource
depletion

Water used for well drilling cementing

Water used for production (e.g. process plant)

Water used for hydraulic fracturing

Power generation (air emissions)

Site equipment and vehicles (air emissions)

Flaring of gas (emissions of VOCs during drilling and production)

Well completion

Crude oil and gas processing

Releases to air

Table 3.2 Key environmental risks and impacts related to upstream offshore exploration and
production
Issue

Relevant activities/processes/techniques

Seabed
disturbance

Sea-bed infrastructure impact, e.g. pipework, concrete mattresses, rock dumping, anchoring, piling,
jacket footings in-situ

Drill cuttings pile material and toxic contaminants on seabed

Handling of residual chemical additives/hydrocarbons (planned/accidental releases to sea, e.g. mud


additives in cuttings, drainage water containing hydrocarbons, cement, sewage water, ballast
discharge)

Activities with potential for accidental hydrocarbon spills, e.g.:

Discharges to sea

Releases to air

Physical presence

Marine
biodiversity

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Well blowout (Tier 3)

In-field riser/flowline rupture, topsides vessel / heat exchanger rupture, fuel tank loss of
containment, topsides drainage system failure (Tier 2)

Bunker hose failure, dropped tote tank, small-hole riser leak, helideck fuel spills (Tier 1)

(Note events listed here by Tier are for indicative purposes only, actual spills may vary)

Handling of oil-based drilling mud cuttings (e.g. disposal to sea)

Planned liquid hydrocarbon discharge (drop-out) to sea surface

Handling/treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated waste water (e.g. produced water) (discharge to


sea, etc. during well completion and clean up, and during production).

Storage and handling of completion fluids (accidental loss of containment and discharge to sea of
e.g. corrosion inhibitor, biocide, oxygen scavenger)

Storage and loading of hydrocarbon cargo (accidental loss of containment and discharge to sea)

Well closure / plugging

Drilling rig (air emissions from drilling rig and associated supply and transport vessels)

Flaring (emissions from during blowdown, completion or unplanned event)

Production (accidental gas releases due to loss of containment)

Production (planned gas emissions from venting, fugitive emissions)

Drilling/production facilities (impact on commercial vessel operations e.g. shipping/fishing)

Offshore facility lighting (impact on seabirds and migration)

Jacket decommissioning (physical presence of jacket footings left in situ)

Seismic surveying (impact on marine species due to high impact noise)

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The oil and gas industry has a large number of techniques at its disposal that continuously evolve.
The intention is to classify processes only as far as is needed to explain their environmental impacts
and risks. For instance, once a drilling operation is in process the likely environmental impacts remain
the same, almost regardless of the exact drilling method used.
Appendix A includes details of some of the key activities undertaken on upstream onshore and
offshore hydrocarbon production installations. These lists are intended to provide further context to
the key environmental impacts and risks described above, and the processes and technologies
mentioned there. As mentioned above, Appendix B contains draft conclusions on the (potential) risks
associated with different processes/techniques, where BAT/BARM can be used to reduce risks.

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4.

Identification of BAT and BARM

4.1

Information required on BAT and BARM (elements needed)

For each technique identified it is envisaged that the BREF will provide information on:
Technical description;
Environmental risks/impacts addressed;
For BAT for routine operations:
Achieved environmental benefits:
Environmental performance and operational data;
Cross-media effects;
For BAT for avoidance of environmental risks (BARM):
Quantitative risk management performance and operational data (estimate of typical
reduction in consequence/frequency of accidents);
Qualitative description of risk management performance where quantification is not
practicable (e.g. this could be the case for issues such as habitat damage which is
highly site-specific);
Other risk-related and environmental effects;
Technical considerations relevant to applicability [potentially also include worker safety
considerations here];
Economics;
Driving force for implementation;
Example installations;
Reference literature.

4.2

Process for identification of BAT and BARM

Overview
Identification of BAT and BARM will be the task of the TWG, based on information and/or proposals
provided by the contractor (which will in turn take into account data provided by the TWG and other
stakeholders). The following will be used to identify BAT and BARM:
(1) Expert judgement of the TWG.
(2) Multi-criteria analysis of techniques, taking into account e.g. Environmental performance;
Cross-media effects; Applicability to new and existing plants; Economics, including capital cost
and operating costs Current application of the technique in Europe or other countries.

Identification of BAT for routine operations


For routine operations (and routine releases of pollutants, waste generation, etc.) it is proposed to
cover key sources of releases, such as atmospheric emissions, discharge of chemicals, waste water
releases, water usage, drill cuttings releases and waste generation.

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Based on information collected from the literature and data provided by stakeholders/TWG members,
a description of the performance achieved in quantitative terms wherever possible will be provided.
This will describe emissions / performance before and after application of the technique in question.
The performance associated with BAT may be, for example, expressed as an emissions concentration
(e.g. mg/m3 of an air pollutant emitted or % oil content in discharged waste water), or alternatively it
may be expressed as a quantity per unit of production.
For BAT for routine operations, the Hydrocarbons BREF will focus on BAT that is precise and
measurable effect, and where possible quantifiable.

Identification of techniques for risk management (BARM)


The focus on risk management for this Hydrocarbons BREF represents a key difference compared to
other BREFs. A topic for discussion at the Technical Working Group (TWG) kick-off meeting will be
how to compare, and potentially score, risk management approaches.
Risk management approaches within the industry can be considered at a number of different levels:
1) The overall strategic (e.g. company-wide) approach taken to risk assessment for hydrocarbon
extraction projects.
2) The specific measures that are taken to manage environmental risks, which results from the
above approach, incorporating the following two categories of measures:
a. Organisational practices
b. Technical measures
The first of these leads on to the second, but the effectiveness of the specific risk management
measures identified in the risk assessment process is highly dependent on the rigour with which the
assessment is applied and the expertise of those applying it.
Figure 4.1

Categories of environmental risk management (RM)

The expectation is that the Hydrocarbons BREF should cover both of these aspects i.e. strategic
approaches to risk assessment and management, and the specific measures identified as best for
managing specific identified environmental risks.
Based on experience to date, the risk assessment and management processes applied by companies
are largely similar in general terms, and all bear similarities to the process set out in ISO 31000:2009.
The hydrocarbons sector does not currently follow an industry-wide risk assessment approach. A
typical approach, however, would cover the following components:
Identification of potential environmental hazard scenarios.
Evaluation of the consequences and effects of these scenarios.

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Estimation of the likelihood of the scenarios occurring.
Determining the risks by combining the consequences and the likelihood (typically using
a risk matrix).
Reviewing whether the risks are tolerable against accepted criteria, e.g.
regulations/norms.
Identifying measures, including BAT/BARM, through which to manage the risks.
It would be challenging to robustly compare the relative merits of different risk assessment
approaches, as they are generally organised and worded in different ways (for example they often use
different terminology and values for scoring of consequence/severity and likelihood of environmental
aspects). It is, therefore, proposed to use the ISO 31000:2009 risk management standard as a
benchmark for comparison.
Possible scoring of risk assessment and management approaches
Subject to further discussion and review by the TWG, a scoring system that addresses each of the
ISO standard elements could be applied to evaluate the risk assessment approaches used by
individual organisations. The purpose of scoring would be largely to capture whether approaches
match the intent of the ISO standard, rather than to address every aspect of it.
The table in Appendix C provides an overview of example criteria that may be used to score risk
assessment approaches. These criteria have been derived directly from the ISO standard and framed
in terms of a scoring that captures the extent to which an organisation has implemented particular
aspects within their own processes. The example shown here is for the Process (Establishing the
Context) aspect (see Figure 4.2), as set out in Section 5.3 of ISO 31000:2009. Similar criteria would,
if the general approach is agreed, be drawn up for Sections 5.4 (risk assessment) and 5.5 (risk
treatment) of the standard.
It is envisaged that the scoring of approaches against criteria will require a combination of subjective
judgement, comments/questionnaire responses from TWG members, and any documented
information provided by organisations within the TWG that can offer insights into organisational risk
assessment approaches.
A weighting system may be required in order to ascribe values to particular criteria which may be
considered more or less important in terms of risk assessment. This has yet to be developed, but is
nevertheless included for information in the table.

4.3

Format of conclusions on BAT and BARM

In order that all TWG members have a common understanding of the types of conclusions on BAT
and BARM that should be reached as part of the Hydrocarbons BREF examples of such conclusions
are provided below. In this context it is important to
Note: For the sake of clarity, the activities covered by the Hydrocarbons BREF will be
unambiguously defined in the document. In addition, it will be mentioned that the list of
techniques described in the Hydrocarbons BREF is neither prescriptive, nor exhaustive
and that other techniques may exist that provide at least an equivalent level of
environmental protection to those identified as BAT or BARM within the BREF itself.
The Hydrocarbons BREF will consist of a number of individual conclusions for BAT and
BARM indicating the technique(s) or combination of techniques that are BAT or BARM
for achieving a particular environmental objective. The description of the techniques will
be short but informative enough to be useful to the competent authorities and operators.
Undefined acronyms and technical jargon will be avoided.
Each individual conclusion may be featured with or without an associated environmental
performance level with regard to the BAT / BARM identified.

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Such levels may take the form of an emission level, a consumption level or another
kind of performance level. For example, with regard to BARM a performance level
may relate to a percentage reduction in the likelihood of an accidental release taking
place as a result of applying a particular technique or techniques.
Such levels will only be included where there is a sound basis for doing so and will be
based on the information exchanged during this project. Levels will generally take the
form of ranges rather than being one fixed value.
For defining the lower end of the range, it is necessary to take the performance of
installation achieved by the BAT obtaining the best environmental performance as
provided in the information exchange unless this performance is excluded from the
range by the TWG. In that case, there will be an explanation in the supplementary
information supporting the Hydrocarbons BREF of why it has been excluded,
considering that the installation achieving the best performance for a given
environmental indicator may not be able to be the best performer for other indicators.
The upper end of the performance level range will normally be derived by considering
the range of performance associated with the application of the BAT / BARM
concerned on the basis of the data collected through the exchange of information.
When defining the performance levels associated with BAT and BARM, rounded
values may be used to take into account limitations of the data collection or technical
issues (e.g. use of different monitoring methods, uncertainty of measurements).
Conclusions on BAT and BARM should address other than normal operating conditions
(such as start-up and shutdown operations, momentary stoppages and the definitive
cessation of operations) when these are considered of important with respect to
environmental protection.
The Hydrocarbons BREF will look to ensure that individual conclusions are grouped
together according to common features such as environmental issues or production
process steps;
The BAT or BARM conclusions can also contain statements which indicate when certain
techniques are not BAT or BARM and thus have been deliberately excluded from the
conclusions due to factors such as poor or non-credible environmental performance, lack
of availability, economics, technical and/or economic considerations for cross-media
effects, or operational reliability.
Individual BAT and BARM conclusions with associated emission levels
Individual BAT and BARM conclusions with associated emission levels will contain a numerical range
of emission levels. The units, the reference conditions (e.g. flue-gas oxygen level, temperature,
pressure) if applicable and the averaging period (e.g. hourly/daily/weekly/monthly/yearly
average) will be included in the Hydrocarbons BREF. The averaging period will generally relate to the
averaging periods of the data submitted.
Information can be added to explain under what conditions the lower end of the emission levels can be
achieved or to reflect different performances of different techniques.
An example of an individual BAT conclusion which includes emission levels associated with BAT is
provided in Example 1 below.
Performance levels can be expressed in one or more ways depending on the information that is
available, including the ways given below.
As concentrations (mass of pollutant released per volume). This is generally the most
common way of expressing emission levels, but reference conditions and averaging
periods are crucial for their comparability.

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As specific loads (mass of pollutant released per mass of product manufactured or mass
of raw material used). In certain cases, specific loads are a better indicator of
performance than concentrations, for example where pollutant concentrations are
increased as a result of measures to reduce effluent volumes and to conserve energy,
e.g. closing water circuits. Also in this case, averaging periods are crucial for
comparability.
Individual BAT and BARM conclusions with associated environmental performance levels other than
emission levels
Environmental performance levels other than emission levels can be associated with certain BAT and
BARM. Examples include consumption of material, water or energy, the generation of waste and
reductions in risk. Such conclusions will be similar in design to Example 1 below.
Individual BAT and BARM conclusions without associated environmental performance levels
Individual BAT and BARM conclusions without performance levels, e.g. concerning site remediation,
will be structured similarly as shown in the examples below, with the exception of the information
related to the performance levels. It is recognised that there may be some important examples of
BARM in particular where there is no readily quantifiable performance indicator. Key performance
indicators used by companies may be a useful source of information in identifying quantifiable
performance indicators.
Proposed general approach to identification of BARM
It is recognised that techniques to address accidental events with an impact on the environment will
sometimes not have a quantitative performance-level associated with them. It is therefore proposed
that (where no quantitative performance level exists), BARM to manage a particular (key
environmental) issue could be presented as a number of available risk management techniques and
these should be concluded to be BARM, unless it can be shown that other measures are able to
achieve a comparable level of performance.
However, ideally there will be at least some examples of BARM where it is possible to assign a
quantified performance level.
The general approach proposed for identification of BARM is different to that for BAT. It is expected
that the best-performing companies will undertake a process of risk assessment and management to
identify, at an installation level, the best risk management practices for each key environmental issue.
Many companies processes for risk management follow an approach similar to that set out in ISO
31000, illustrated in the figure below.

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Figure 4.2

Risk management process according to ISO 31000:2009

Establishing the context

Risk assessment
Risk identification

Communication
and
consultation

Risk analysis

Monitoring
and
review

Risk evaluation

Risk treatment

Example 2 below provides an indication of the typical processes that could be applied to identify the
best available risk management practices in relation to accidental chemical spills, as well as the
general approach linked to the ISO 31000 process for risk management.

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Figure 4.3

Example 1: An individual BAT conclusion that contains an associated emission level

In order to reduce hydrocarbon emissions in wastewater discharge from offshore oil and gas
operations, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below:

Technique

Description

Applicability

Oil separators

Oil separators are used to separate hydrocarbons


from wastewater prior to their discharge to the
environment. Such separators should be capable
of handling the maximum flow of possible
discharges.

Generally applicable

Membrane
filtration

Membrane filtration effectively draws water


through a membrane leaving pollutants on the
surface of the membrane and clean water ready
to be discharged.

Requires approximately 1m2 of space for


every 100l of water to be treated per hour.

Flocculants

Flocculants can be used to bind hydrocarbons


prior to clean water being drawn off from
settlement ponds and discharged.

Requires the ability to locate settlement


ponds prior discharge

The emission level associated with the abovementioned techniques is for wastewater discharges to
contain less than 0.1% hydrocarbons by volume. [Note that this is illustrative only]

Figure 4.4 Example 2: An individual BARM conclusion with an associated environmental


performance level
Accidental chemical spills to the marine environment in UK waters amount to around 0.03 percent of
the total chemicals used offshore [ref OGUK 2014]. In order to reduce accidental chemical releases to
the marine environment to below this level, BARM is to use a combination of the techniques given
below:
Establishing the context
Establishing the context in relation to accidental chemical spills for an offshore installation would
typically involve:
Establishing the baseline of the marine environment and identification of receptors
potentially affected by chemical spills.
Establishing the baseline of the operations of the installation, including details of
chemicals (expected to be) used, stored, and processes involved.
These would typically be done as part of an environmental impact assessment.
Risk assessment
The processes of risk assessment in relation to accidental spills of chemicals should involve the
following (or equivalent) process.
Phase

Key steps (examples only)

Risk identification

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Environmental Impact Identification (ENVID) to identify potential loss of containment events.

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Phase

Key steps (examples only)

Risk analysis

Risk evaluation

Identification of Environmental Critical Systems and Elements (ECE).


Based on installation design review:
o
Chemicals stored at installation
o
Process design (review of process flow diagrams, P&ID)
For example: loss of containment of chemical storage
Identify potential causes of loss of containment events, covering:
o
Potential equipment failure
o
Human error
For example, assessment of:
o
Consequences for the environment of different loss of containment events involving
chemicals stored
o
Likelihood of loss of containment events of different sizes
Comparison of level of risk from loss of containment events with relevant performance
standards.
For example, this could involve modelling / quantitative analysis of chemical spills of different
sizes.
Provides a basis for identification of appropriate risk treatment.

Risk treatment
The table below provides an example of the types of techniques that might typically be assessed as
BARM for an installation in terms of avoiding accidental chemical spills, based on the preceding steps.
Technique

Description

Potential for performance


assessment

Spill prevention,
control and
mitigation

Ensure spill prevention, control and mitigation measures


are in place to effectively manage with chemicals
offshore

Qualitative only based on policies


and procedures in place

Housekeeping

Ensure continual good housekeeping measures are


practiced offshore

Qualitative only based on policies


and procedures in place

Chemical
inventory
management

Optimise the chemical inventory stored on a facility at


any given time to levels consistent with requirements

Quantify by tracking chemical


inventory data against work
requirements

Equipment
performance
management

Ensure equipment related to chemical storage, injection


and management meets Performance Standards in
terms of integrity, and via ongoing maintenance and
repair

Quantify by tracking data on


equipment performance and
maintenance regimes

Leak detection

Provide means of detection for chemical releases

Quantify by logging number of


actual releases and near misses
over time

Training and
competency

Ensure competency of personnel and provide training in


chemical management, handling, storage and cleanup.

Quantify by recording level of


competency and logging hours of
personnel training

Monitoring and review


Keep assessment of risks under review and aim for continuous improvement.

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5.

Data collection

5.1

Data collection process

The method of data collection needs to be targeted so as to minimise efforts expended on data of little
concern and to derive that data of greatest relevance for identifying BAT and BARM.

Proposal 9
It is proposed to:
Produce tailored data collection tools for the identification of BAT and BARM. This
may take the form of separate (short) questionnaires for offshore and onshore
activities to be completed (by stakeholders/TWG members, potentially with initial part
completion based on data already available) for each technique with information that
could be directly incorporated into the Hydrocarbons BREF, along with a justification
for performance.
Not ask people for data on levels of emissions, etc. unless this is directly related to the
BAT/BARM in question. Be very clear that the Hydrocarbons BREF should be a
focused data collection and information exchange process, not one that should seek
to assess all releases of all pollutants from all installations.

Confidentiality
Confidential business information and sensitive information under competition law could potentially be
useful for the contractor in its assessment (e.g. cost, production volume) and in drafting the
Hydrocarbons BREF in general.
If any information submitted to the contractor is considered confidential business information or
sensitive information under competition law and should therefore not be reported in the Hydrocarbons
BREF this should be clearly stated when sending the information and the reason/justification for the
confidentiality/sensitivity should be given.
Confidential business information and sensitive information under competition law will not be reported
in the Hydrocarbons BREF, unless the information provides an important basis for the conclusions and
the provider of the information (having checked compliance with competition law) specifically
authorises the contractor to report the information in the Hydrocarbons BREF.
There are several ways to deal with confidential/sensitive data in the Hydrocarbons BREF such as the
aggregation or the anonymisation of information. This can be done by the contractor if necessary with
the help of those who supplied the information.
Confidential information will not be accessible to the rest of the TWG on the internet based platform for
exchange of information.

5.2

Information exchange IT platform

A SharePoint site will be used for the exchange of information. Further details on how this site will
operate will be presented at the kick-off meeting.

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Appendix A: Details of key activities undertaken


for upstream hydrocarbon production installations
Offshore installations
Stage of
hydrocarbon
production
process

Sub-stages

Processes/technologies

Stage 1 - Site
identification &
preparation

1. Desk studies and


licensing

Desk studies of target area for favourable geological conditions

2. Exploratory Surveys

Licensing
General investigation:
Gravity and magnetic surveys by boat to capture geological
information and identify leads for further exploration.
Geophysical testing/investigations:
Seismic surveys shock waves are sent into the subsea geological
formations and response times monitored for returned waves to
further identify and define reservoirs.

Stage 2 - Well
design &
construction

3. Well design

Desk studies for well design, planning and logistics

4. Transport of drilling rig

Transport of drilling rig vessels,

5. Well drilling

Positioning of drilling apparatus Seabed activities


Drilling Drilling with water based mud (WBM)/ Oil Based Mud
(OBM)/Synthetic Based Mud (SBM)
Drill Cuttings Management Management of cuttings generated
Cementing and Casing Cementing of well casings

6. Stimulation

Hydraulic fracturing
Others

7. Well completion

Well bore clean-up - handling potentially contaminated wastewater


and solids/cuttings
Introduction of completion fluids Introduction of chemicals to protect
the well including corrosion inhibitors and biocides

Stage 3 Production

8. Platform installation

Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) facility design


and construction Onshore/nearshore activities to prepare platform
for particular drilling site.
Transport of platform shipping vessels
Piling for jacket foundations/anchor points- seabed activities to
permanently install fixed platforms and/or floating production facilities
Rock dumping - depending on rig type may be necessary to use rock
dumping as part of foundation design.
Hydrostatic testing leak and pressure testing of production and
utility systems
Subsea infrastructure installation of subsea equipment as
necessary including Includes ESPs, hydraulically-powered pumps,
FLETS, PLETS, ESDVs, pigging equipment, manifolds, and X-trees.
Also includes in-field flow lines, injection lines and umbilicals, but
excludes piling
Pre-commissioning Pressure testing, hydro-static leak testing

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Stage of
hydrocarbon
production
process

Sub-stages

Processes/technologies

9. Platform operations

Platform operations are divided into three categories: i) Production, ii)


Topside utility systems and iii) Export systems
I Production:
Chemical injection Use of production chemicals.
Subsea production systems For larger networks tie-backs and subsea equipment has to be installed and maintained.
Oil/gas processing and handling processing of extracted material to
separate oil, water and gas
Waste water management Treatment and processing of the water
generated from reservoir fluid separation processes.
Off-gas management flaring management of gas generated from
separation processes
Waste sand management Washing and cleaning of contaminated
sand before return to sea or return to shore
II Topside utility systems:
Power generation and combustion equipment - Main energy
generation units for power on the platform, auxiliary power generation
for process equipment
Hydrocarbon and chemical Storage Includes both bunkered fuel for
power generation and processed oil
Diesel/chemical deliveries/loading Includes all receiving shipments
of goods to the installation
Open loop sea water cooling Seawater cooling systems for all
thermal processes carried out on the platform
HVAC systems air conditioning systems for accommodation block
and equipment
Topside drainage systems Covers sewers fir grey and black water,
closed systems for process equipment and open systems for
drainage on deck
Waste management Covers all waste aspects not detailed already,
principally drainage, solid waste management and return of material
to shore
III Export systems:
Off-take vessels Off-take of oil to shuttle tankers
Gas/oil export pipelines off-take of gas/oil via pipeline

Stage 4 Project
cessation and well
closure

10. Well closure

Well Plugging Closure of the well bore at multiple points using


cement plugs
Conductor recovery Recovery of the conductor from the well and
return to the surface, may require cutting operations as necessary.

11. Management of cuttings


piles

Leave in place Management options for leaving cuttings in place.


Excavate to surface Remove of cuttings piles to surface for return
to shore
Excavate and redistribute on seabed Options for redistribution of
cuttings across the seabed

Stage 5 Post
closure and
abandonment

12. Topside
decommissioning

Preparation of topside for removal All clean down and removal


processes to prepare topside for decommissioning and removal.

13. Jacket decommissioning

Dismantling of structures Dismantling of structures in preparation


for removal of topside structures
Offshore marine growth removal clean down to removal marine
growth to prevent translocation of foreign species
Cutting of leg structures Cutting of platform legs to remove the
topside structure.
Leave in-situ components Footings and base structures to be left in
place

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Stage of
hydrocarbon
production
process

Sub-stages

Processes/technologies

14. Pipeline and bundle


decommissioning

Leave in place Option to leave pipelines in place, may require


further rock dumping.
Partial removal Removal of concrete mattresses and non-vital
support structures
Full removal full removal of pipelines using jet washers to entrench
pipelines where necessary.

15. Shipping

All decommissioning activities Multiple shipping activities as


required for decommissioning processes

Onshore installations
Stage of
hydrocarbon
production process

Sub-stages

Processes/technologies

Stage 1 - Site
identification &
preparation

1. Identification of resource
(desk study)

Desk studies of target area to establish geological conditions and


hydrocarbon potential
Licensing

2. Surveys and conceptual


model

General investigation:
- Aerial survey of land features e.g. satellite imagery, aircrafts, etc.
Geophysical testing/investigations:
Land based seismic
Development of conceptual model

3. Exploratory drilling

Baseline surveys (ecology, hydrology, groundwater, community


impact, etc.)
Mobilisation of drilling rig and equipment and people to the drill
location
Site preparation (e.g. site clearing, accessibility, infrastructure)
Support camp (outside boundary)

Stage 2 - Well
design, construction
and completion

4. Exploration well
construction

Well pad construction

Rig installation
Drilling of vertical or deviated wells
Casing installation
Well stabilisation
5. Appraisal

Well testing (some preliminary testing may be carried out before the
well is plugged temporarily)
Treatment of waste water from exploratory wells
Revised conceptual model and resource estimate
Assessment (evaluate technical and economic viability for the whole
project and develop plans for production)

6. Well stimulation

Hydraulic fracturing

7. Well completion

Well completion (screens, valves, etc.)

8. Field development
design (not all necessarily
required)

Field development (planning and design):

Field development concept

Front-end engineering design

Other techniques

Stage 3
Development and
Production

Detailed design

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Stage of
hydrocarbon
production process

Sub-stages

Processes/technologies

9. Construction and
installation

Implementation of development plan

Site clearing
Access infrastructure(i.e. roads, infrastructure)

10. Hook-up and


commissioning

Well hook-up to production system


Pre-commissioning

Commissioning
11 Development drilling- if
required, once field
development in place

Development drilling (if required)


- Small drilling field
- Large drilling field

12. Hydrocarbon production


- hydrocarbon extraction
and processing

Crude oil & gas processing - operation of plant and process


equipment and maintenance activities
Well workover well maintenance, etc.
Process treatment systems - waste water collection and
management
Utility systems - wastewater and sewage collection and treatment
Waste handling - waste handling, storage, collection and transport
Hydrocarbon offtakes - product export, onshore pipelines/road
tankers

Stage 4 Project
cessation, well
closure and
decommissioning

13. Decommissioning and


rehabilitation planning

Project cessation, well closure and decommissioning

14. Decommissioning of
equipment and reclamation

Plugging of wells
Removal of well pads
Waste management

Stage 5 Project post


closure and
abandonment

September 2015
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15. Rehabilitation

Site restoration

16. Project closure and


abandonment

Monitoring
Relinquishing licences

B1

Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited

Draft - see disclaimer

Appendix B: Details of initial conclusion on risks


for key activities (to prioritise key environmental
issues)
Environmental issues related to upstream onshore exploration and production

Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Groundwater
contamination
and other risks
(includes
induced
seismicity)

The potential for groundwater


contamination exists as a result
of both the materials being used
as part of the exploration and
production processes as well as
the materials being extraced.
Such substances may be toxic to
human health / the wider
environment, may remain
trapped in groundwater for
significant periods of time and,
as a result of the interactions
between groundwater, soil,
surface water and marine
waters, may leak into other
environments with
consequences beyond the site of
the exploration / production
activity.

Well pad construction: spillages from


machinery

9 (high)

Well casing: leakage of chemicals and


seepage of oil and gas during drilling of
wells

9 (high)

Produced water management: Spills /


releases of produced water

6 (moderate) from
exploratory wells,

Contamination may result from


the poor storage of materials,
accidents and incidents, overuse and infrastructure failure.

Surface water
contamination

September 2015
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Surface water contamination


can carry significant
consequences for both flora and
fauna within that surface water,
the potential contamination of
water sources used for human
consumption as well as potential
downstream consequences of
surface water contamination
being transport elsewhere.
Contamination may result from
poor design of surface water
storage or spillage of such water
as a result of incident or
accident.

9 (high) from
production

Well completion: Leakage of chemicals /


hydrocarbons

9 (high)

Well commissioning: contamination from


hydrostatic testing water availability,
chemical dosing, water disposal

9 (high)

Wastewater and sewage collection and


treatment; waste handling; plugging : Long
term contamination of due to surface spills
and leakages during

9 (high)

Hydraulic fracturing: Contamination by


chemicals and hydrocarbons

Moderate/high

Mobilisation of drilling rig and equipment:


spillages and leakage from machines and
vehicles

6 (moderate)

Site preparation: exposed land leading to


pollution risk to surface runoff and erosion.

6 (moderate)

Drilling of wells: surface run off from


surface spillage and leakage of chemicals,
oil, contaminated sediments, drill muds and
fluids, drill cuttings.

9 (high)

Management of produced water: Leakage


and spills onto surface and subsequent
surface runoff to water bodies.

6 (moderate)

Well workover: discharge of chemicals


used

6 (moderate)

B2

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Draft - see disclaimer


Issue

Water
resource
depletion

Description

Onshore exploration and


production may require the use
of large quantitiies of water. This
is particularly lined to
unconventional hydrocarbon
production, especially hydraulic
fracturing, which implies the use
of a large quantity of water. This
has further ecological and water
availability impacts.
Depletion may result from
unsustainable and continuous
extraction of water for fracturing
purposes

Releases to air The operation of diesel engines,


drilling rigs and other ground
level powered machines poses
the potential to result in
increased air pollution and local
air quality issues. This issue is
magnified in upstream
unconventional hydrocarbon
production, due to the significant
scale of required mobile power
generation at each site is
especially related to
unconventional gas stemming
from drilling and fracturing
operations.
Futhermore, methane and
hydrogen sulphide are likely to
be released to air from wells both
in point source and diffuse form
with both local air quality and
climate change consequences if
not fully controlled.

September 2015
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Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Wastewater and sewage collection and


treatment: surface runoff contamination

6 (moderate)

Waste treatment: accidental release to


surface water

6 (moderate)

Hydrocarbon offtake: leakage from pipeline


within the site

6 (moderate)

Plugging of wells and removal of pads

6 (moderate)

Hydraulic fracturing: contamination by


chemicals and hydrocarbons

Moderate/high

Drilling of wells: water used for drilling and


workers

9 (high)

Casing installation: quantities of water for


cementing

12 (high)

Well commissioning: water used to


conduct various testing such as hydrostatic
testing

2 (low)

Hydraulic fracturing: water used for HF

Moderate

Geophysical testing/investigations: Dust


and exhaust emissions from survey
equipment, exposed land and vehicles.

6 (moderate)

Site preparation: Dust from exposed land.


Exhaust emissions from vehicles and
generators.

5 (moderate)

Well pad construction: GHG from exhaust,


machinery, generator and dust from
construction material, exposed land

8 (moderate)

Rig installation: Dust and GHG emissions


from vehicles and machinery

5 (moderate)

Drilling of wells: Release of trapped gas,


VOCs, emissions from flaring, CO2
emissions from generators and emissions
from construction equipment and vehicles.

12 (high)

Casing installation: Dust emissions from


cementing, machinery and generators

4 (low)

Exploratory wells: Flaring of trapped gas


and emissions of VOCs

10 (high)

Produced water management:


hydrocarbon release to air from produced
water treatment

3 (low)

B3

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Draft - see disclaimer


Issue

Zoning and
land take

Biodiversity
impacts

September 2015
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Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Well completion: Flaring and venting of gas


and VOCs.

4 (low)

Production: Flaring of produced gas,


emissions from machinery, equipment and
generators.

8 (moderate)

Wastewater and sewage collection and


treatment: emissions from treatment plant
and generator

3 (low)

Waste handling: emissions from waste


treatment e.g. incineration, TDUs,
treatment plant, vehicle exhaust and
generators.

4 (low)

Hydrocarbon offtakes: vehicle emissions


and pipe leaks

4 (low)

Plugging of wells: odour and fugitive


emissions from chemical leaks and
insufficient plugging.

6 (moderate)

Hydrocarbon operations may


require substantial tracts of land
to be fenced off for exploration
and production purposes, placing
pressure on both land
availability, as well as potential
environmental pressures on
surrounding land used. This
issue is common of all oil and
gas operations, but it has been
increasingly related to
unconventional hydrocarbons
(especially shale gas) because
some of the most extensively
used technologies (such as
horizontal drilling) usually need a
much larger portion of land than
conventional hydrocarbon
extraction. The risks related to
this are pollution to drinking
water sources, removal of land
for alternative uses and
ecological/environmental
impacts. Cumulative impacts
may be significant.

Geophysical testing/investigations (land


based seismic): loss of land and
vegetation. Damage to local infrastructure

5 (moderate)

Site preparation: Land and vegetation


clearing, excavation

5 (moderate)

Well pad construction: Removal of


vegetation and loss of land to access road,
construction area, storage area.
Industrialised area.

Hydrocarbon production - Hydrocarbon


extraction and processing: Area required to
install treatment facility

Decommissioning / plugging of wells:


Revegetation of land, etc. and reversion to
prior/alternative use

8 (moderate)

Upstream hydrocarbon
exploration and production
facilities might have impacts in
biodiversity such as loss of
habitat and surface disturbances.

Site preparation: Loss of habitat and


surface disturbances

6 (moderate)

Well pad construction: Removal of


vegetation and loss of land to access road,
construction area, storage area.
Industrialised area.

6 (moderate)

Produced water management: Spills to


surface may change sediment
characteristic. Produced water high in salt,
oil/grease, chemicals and maybe NORM.

6 (moderate)

Well drilling: Risk to habitat and species


due to disturbances to the environment,

4 (low)

B4

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Draft - see disclaimer


Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

spillages, air emissions, miss-use of


chemicals, constant loud noise.

Noise

Visual impact

Traffic

September 2015
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Plugging of wells: Impact to soil from


accidental spillages, vehicles, etc.

6 (moderate)

Noise is common to all


hydrocarbon exploration and
production activities. It is
recognised that this can be
especially relevant where
technologies such as horizontal
drilling are used, especially
because these new technologies
imply a significant increase in the
use of vehicles as well.

Site preparation: Vehicle, machinery,


generators intermittent or constant noise

4 (low)

Well pad construction and rig installation:


Construction noise.

4 (low)

Drilling of wells: High noise level occurring


continuously for a period of time. Impact
very significant

5 (moderate)

Upstream hydrocarbon
exploration and production may
have a significant visual impact.
This somewhat depends on the
characteristics of the area (rural
vs. Industrial) and cumulative
impact of a large number of
wells. This has particularly
relevant with regard to
unconventional hydrocarbons, as
they may imply working in
natural or rural areas that have
not been previously developed.

Site preparation: Industrialisation of area


altered landscape

4 (low)

Well drilling: Impact of drilling rigs

15 (very high)

The movement of materials,


products and staff both to and
from hydrocarbon exploration
and production sites can have
consequences not only in terms
of congestion, but also in terms
of noise, pollution from vehilces
(including material falling from
vehicles themselves) and light.

Geophysical testing/investigations:
Localised increase in traffic

5 (moderate)

Mobilisation of drilling rig and equipment

4 (low)

Site preparation: Increase in number of


vehicles burden on local access road
capacity

4 (low)

Well pad construction and rig installation:


Increase traffic during construction period
(short-term)

4 (low)

Drilling of wells: Large number of vehicles


potentially loading large burden on local
road infrastructure

5 (moderate)

Produced water management: Produced


water transportation

4 (low)

Hydrocarbon production: Increase traffic


from vehicles collecting offtakes on site

4 (low)

Wastewater and sewage collection and


treatment: Movement of vehicles for
disposal

4 (low)

Waste handling: Movement of vehicles for


disposal

4 (low)

B5

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Draft - see disclaimer


Issue

Seismicity

Accidental
events

Description

Upstream hydrocarbon
exploration and production
activities have the potential to
impact on strate below ground
leading to increased seimicity
with potential impacts on
pollution pathways underground
and activities aboveground both
on- and off-site. This may result
from matters such as
uncontrolled drilling, unexpected
seismic properties of the area,
errors in the calculations.

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Plugging of wells, removal of well pads:


Increased construction noise and traffic
from vehicles and workers to dismantle

4 (low)

Geophysical testing/investigations (land


based seismic): Disturbance to wildlife and
humans from vibrations or explosions.

4 (low)

Hydraulic fracturing: Potential for induced


seismicity

Low

Many of the above


environmental issues may be
affected through accidental
events (spills, releases,
fire/exposion). The BREF should
consider these accidental
events, as well as routine
operations

Environmental issues related to upstream offshore exploration and production

Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Seabed
disturbance

Seabed disturbance from placing


of equipment on the seabed,
rock dumping, cuttings pile.

Piling for jacket foundations and/or mooring


line anchors

3 (low)

Rock dumping

9 (high)

Installation of sea-bed production


infrastructure: laying pipes, concrete
mattresses, etc.

12 (high)

Drill cuttings pile, if present

12 (high)

Well closure: Excavation of the pile and


recovery to surface (potentially releasing
toxic contaminants to the water column and
seabed)

12 (high)

Topside / jacket decommissioning:


Dropped objects e.g. module loss during
lifting/transportation (accidental events).

3 (low)

Pipelines/bundles decommissioning:
Removal of mattresses, sand bags, grout
bags, and frond mats.

1 (low)

Shipping activities: Anchoring

4 (low)

September 2015
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B6

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Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Discharges
to sea

Planned and unplanned releases


of hydrocarbons, chemicals used
in production, or wastes have the
potential to cause contamination
of sea water and the seabed.

Well drilling: Residual chemical


additives/hydrocarbons to sea (planned
release). Potential causes include mud
additives in cuttings; drainage water
containing quantities of hydrocarbons;
sewage water released; ballast discharge
released containing contaminants

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,

Well drilling: Accidental hydrocarbon spills


e.g. well blowout, FPSO hull tank failure,
offtake vessel hull tank failure, eExport
pipeline rupture (Tier 3); in-field
riser/flowline rupture, topsides vessel / heat
exchanger rupture, fuel tank loss of
containment, topsides drainage system
failure (Tier 2); bunker hose failure,
dropped tote tank, small-hole riser leak,
helideck fuel spills (Tier 1)

Tier 1:
20 (very high) for
deterioration of
water quality,
12 (high) for
sediment fouling

9 (high) for
sediment fouling

Tier 2:
16 (very high) for
deterioration of
water quality,
9 (high) for
sediment fouling
Tier 3:
6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,
4 (low) for
sediment fouling

Handling of oil-based mud cuttings: drilling


cuttings potentially contaminated with
residual OBM

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,
9 (high) for
sediment fouling

Cementing and casing: Accidental release


to sea of cement and associated chemical
additives.

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,
9 (high) for
sediment fouling

Well completion: Liquid hydrocarbon dropout to ocean surface, discharge of


hydrocarbon-contaminated waste water to
sea, etc. during well bore clean up.

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,

Introduction of completion fluids:


Accidental discharge to sea of completion
fluids (e.g. corrosion inhibitor, biocide,
oxygen scavenger) resulting from loss of
containment

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,

Chemical injection: Accidental release to


sea of production chemicals

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,

9 (high) for
sediment fouling

9 (high) for
sediment fouling

4 (low) for
sediment fouling

September 2015
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Subsea production system: Discharge of


hydraulic fluids (containing MEG and other
chemicals)

6 (moderate) for
deterioration of
water quality,

B7

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Draft - see disclaimer


Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

9 (high) for
sediment fouling

Oil production, processing and handling:


Hydrocarbon spills as above

4 (low) to 20 (very
high), as
hydrocarbon spills
above

Produced water management: Discharge


of PW to sea: Planned or accidental
release (containing residual hydrocarbons,
production chemicals and reservoir
contaminants)

4 (low)

Produced sand management: Planned or


unplanned discharge to sea

3 (low) for
deterioration of
water quality,
6 (moderate) for
sediment fouling

Hydrocarbon and chemical storage:


Accidental loss of containment of
hydrocarbon cargo to sea

12 (high) for
deterioration of
water quality,
20 (very high) for
sediment fouling

Diesel/chemical deliveries/loading

9 (high)

Open loop seawater cooling of process and


utility systems: Discharge of cooling water
to sea: thermal pollution from planned
releases, residual antifoulant from
unplanned releases

4 (low)

Waste management: Accidental loss of


liquid or solids wastes to sea during
transfer to support vessel for onshore
disposal

4 (low) for liquid,

Oil offtake: Accidental loss of containment


during hydrocarbon offtake by offtake
tanker

12 (high) for
deterioration of
water quality,

6 (moderate) for
solid

20 (very high) for


sediment fouling

Oil export pipeline/tie in equipment: Loss


of containment of crude from export
pipeline

12 (high) for
deterioration of
water quality,
20 (very high) for
sediment fouling

September 2015
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Shipping activities: Containment failure on


rig or shipping

4 (low) for rig,


9 (high) for
shipping

B8

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Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

Releases to
air

Air pollution can result from


surveying, installation and supply
vessels but also from platform
transportation.

Gravimetric surveys, seismic surveys: CO,


CO2, NOx and SOx, etc. (local air quality
and global climate change impact).

3 (low) for local air


pollution,

Transport of drilling rigs, including supply


vessels

3 (low) for local air


pollution,

5 (moderate) for
Contribution to
global emissions

5 (moderate) for
Contribution to
global emissions

Drilling: Emissions from drilling rig

8 (moderate) for
local air pollution,
10 (high) for
Contribution to
global emissions

Well completion: Flaring emissions

10 (high)

Platform installation: Emissions from


platform transportation

3 (low) for local air


pollution,
5 (moderate) for
Contribution to
global emissions

Piling for jacket foundations: Emissions


from installation vessels

3 (low) for local air


pollution,
5 (moderate) for
Contribution to
global emissions

Gas production, processing and handling:


Accidental gas emissions during production
and Planned gas emissions, e.g. venting,
during production

3 (low) for local air


pollution,

Off-gas management: Flaring planned


flaring and unplanned flaring of gas for
safety purposes (process blowdown)

Planned flaring:
8 (moderate) for
local air pollution,
16 (very high) for
Contribution to
global emissions

12 (high) for
Contribution to
global emissions

Unplanned flaring:
6 (moderate) for
local air pollution,
9 (high) for
Contribution to
global emissions

September 2015
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Power generation and combustion


equipment: Emissions from power
generation/turbines/process systems

4 (low) for local air


pollution,

Emissions from combustion equipment


other than GTGs (e.g. turbine compressor
drivers, fired heaters, EDGs, diesel
firewater pumps)

6 (moderate)

8 (moderate) for
Contribution to
global emissions

B9

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Draft - see disclaimer


Issue

Description

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

HVAC systems

8 (moderate)

Gas export pipeline/tie in equipment:


Failure of gas export pipeline leading to
atmospheric emissions

6 (moderate)

Topside/jacket decommissioning: Power


generation for manufacture of temporary
steelwork, dismantling structures inshore,
module separation and cutting, onshore
transportation of recovered material to
recycling site or landfill facility

4 (low) for local air


pollution,

Decommissioning: Emissions from


shipping activities

2 (low) for local air


pollution,

8 (moderate) for
Contribution to
global emissions

4 (low) for
Contribution to
global emissions
Physical
presence

Marine
biodiversity
impacts

Physical presence of the


upstream exploration and
production facilities can lead to
impacts to commercial vessel
operations (shipping/fishing),
long term habitat loss from
presence on seabed and seabed
distrurbance.

Loss in marine biodiversity/


habitat and release of organic
matter due to the oil and gas
operations.

Impact on commercial vessel operations


(shipping/fishing)

9 (high)

Drilling: Drilling vessel lighting (impact on


sea birds)

10 (high)

Drilling: Vessel visual impact (for nearshore operations)

3 (low)

Subsea production system: Long term


habitat loss from presence on Seabed

10 (high)

Cuttings pile: Long-term pile presence and


contaminant persistence

10 (high)

Jacket decommissioning: Physical


presence of jacket footings left in situ.

12 (high)

Pipeline/bundles decommissioning: Rock


placement when leaving pipeline/sections
in place

1 (low)

Transport and placement of drilling rig:


drilling vessel introduces Invasive/ foreign
species to area

12 (high)

Also impacts from:

Releases of chemicals to water,

6 (moderate)

Hydrocarbon spills,

Tier 3: 20 (very
high)
Tier 2: 16 (very
high)
Tier 1: 12 (high)

September 2015
Doc Ref. 36406

Discharge of PW to sea: Planned or


accidental release (containing residual

8 (moderate) for
accidental,

B10

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Issue

Underwater
noise

Description

Generation of underwater noise


causing potential disturbance to
marine life (i.e. marine mammals
and fish).

Examples of relevant
activities/processes/techniques

Risk level

hydrocarbons, production chemicals and


reservoir contaminants)

10 (high) for
planned

Surveying: Seismic surveys

5 (moderate) for
behavioural
responses,
6 (moderate) for
damages/injuries

Positioning of apparatus on seabed: piling


for exploratory drilling

5 (moderate)

Well drilling

3 (low)

Well cementing

3 (low)

Piling for jacket foundations

5 (moderate) for
behavioural
responses,
6 (moderate) for
damages/injuries

Installation of sea-bed production


infrastructure

5 (moderate)

Operation of subsea infrastructure

3 (low)

Topsides noise and vibration from


production and utility equipment

8 (moderate)

Well plug and abandonment (P&A)


recovery: Cutting

6 (moderate)

Jacket decommissioning: Dismantiling


structures, abrasive cutting of jacket legs
and members.

8 (moderate)

Pipeline and bundles decommissioning:


Rock placement when leaving pipelines,
etc. in place; removal of mattresses, etc.

Rock placement
when leaving
pipelines: 6
(moderate)
Removal of
matresses etc.: 8
(moderate)

Visual impact
(for near
shore
operations)

Near shore operations might


have visual impacts on
livelihoods dependent on
natural/wilderness appeal for
tourism.

Accidental
events

Many of the above


environmental issues may be
affected through accidental
events (spills, releases,
fire/exposion). The BREF
should consider these accidental
events, as well as routine
operations

September 2015
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Drilling rig and support vessels

3 (low)

Platform

3 (low)

C1

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Appendix C: Possible table for scoring risk


assessment approaches against ISO 31000
The table below outlines a possible approach for comparing companies risk assessment approaches
against ISO 31000:2009. It is intended to outline the general concept, and it is recognised that the
example wording for example would need further elaboration were this approach to be taken forward.
The weight component is included to reflect the fact that some aspects may be considered more
important than others. A larger score (e.g. 5) would be assigned to elements with a greater
importance.

September 2015
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C2

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Text as derived from ISO 31000:2009

Example wording for scoring system

Score

Weight

Establishing the Context External Context

Does the organisation consider the objectives and concerns of external


stakeholders when developing risk criteria?

Yes (1)/
No(0)

1-5?

Understanding the external context is important in order to ensure that the objectives and concerns of
external stakeholders are considered when developing risk criteria. It is based on the organizationwide context, but with specific details of legal and regulatory requirements, stakeholder perceptions
and other aspects of risks specific to the scope of the risk management process. The external context
can include, but is not limited to:

Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place for


engagement with external context and stakeholders as part of decision
making.

the social and cultural, political, legal, regulatory, financial, technological, economic, natural and
competitive environment, whether international, national, regional or local;

key drivers and trends having impact on the objectives of the organization

relationships with, perceptions and values of external stakeholders.

Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place to ensure


compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, and
international codes and standards.
Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place that
ensure it can consider informal pressure from external stakeholders as
part of decision making.
Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place that
ensure it can apply societal norms and standards not necessarily
enshrined in law.
Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place that
enable it to anticipate social responsibility and proactively engage with
interest groups, stakeholders, etc.

Establishing the Context - Internal Context

To what extent is the risk management process aligned with the


organization's culture, processes, structure and strategy?

The internal context is the internal environment in which the organization seeks to achieve its
objectives. The risk management process should be aligned with the organization's culture,
processes, structure and strategy. Internal context is anything within the organization that can
influence the way in which an organization will manage risk. It should be established because:

Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place for risk


management that are followed rigorously for all projects and activities.

a) risk management takes place in the context of the objectives of the organization;
b) objectives and criteria of a particular project, process or activity should be considered in the light of
objectives of the organization as a whole; and
c) some organizations fail to recognize opportunities to achieve their strategic, project or business
objectives, and this affects ongoing organizational commitment, credibility, trust and value.
It is necessary to understand the internal context. This can include, but is not limited to:

governance, organizational structure, roles and accountabilities;

policies, objectives, and the strategies that are in place to achieve them;

capabilities, understood in terms of resources and knowledge (e.g. capital, time, people,
processes, systems and technologies);

the relationships with and perceptions and values of internal stakeholders;

the organization's culture;

September 2015
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Organisation has policies, procedures and practices in place for risk


management that are consistent across all activities.
Organisation has an established commitment to risk management at
all levels including leadership positions.

C3

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Draft - see disclaimer

Text as derived from ISO 31000:2009

information systems, information flows and decision making processes (both formal and
informal);

standards, guidelines and models adopted by the organization; and

form and extent of contractual relationships.

Example wording for scoring system

Establishing the Context - Context of Risk Management Process

Does the organisation have in place an established and dedicated


process for risk management?

The objectives, strategies, scope and parameters of the activities of the organization, or those parts of
the organization where the risk management process is being applied, should be established. The
management of risk should be undertaken with full consideration of the need to justify the resources
used in carrying out risk management. The resources required, responsibilities and authorities, and
the records to be kept should also be specified. The context of the risk management process will vary
according to the needs of an organization. It can involve, but is not limited to:

Organisation has in place an established risk management process,


for which goals, objectives, strategies, scope and parameters of the
activities of the organization are defined and documented.

defining the goals and objectives of the risk management activities;

defining responsibilities for and within the risk management process;

defining the scope, as well as the depth and breadth of the risk management activities to be
carried out, including specific inclusions and exclusions;

defining the activity, process, function, project, product, service or asset in terms of time and
location;

defining the relationships between a particular project, process or activity and other projects,
processes or activities of the organization;

defining the risk assessment methodologies;

defining the way performance and effectiveness is evaluated in management of risk;

identifying and specifying the decisions that have to be made; and

identifying, scoping or framing studies needed, their extent and objectives, and the resources
required for such studies.

Organisation has dedicated resources within the organisation to the


process of risk management and for carrying out the specific activities
required as part of this process.

Attention to these and other relevant factors should help ensure that the risk management approach
adopted is appropriate to the circumstances, to the organization and to the risks affecting the
achievement of its objectives.

Establishing the Context - Defining risk criteria

Does the organisation have in place defined risk criteria?

The organization should define criteria to be used to evaluate the significance of risk. The criteria
should reflect the organization's values, objectives and resources. Some criteria can be imposed by,
or derived from, legal and regulatory requirements and other requirements to which the organization
subscribes. Risk criteria should be consistent with the organization's risk management policy (see
4.3.2), be defined at the beginning of any risk management process and be continually reviewed.
When defining risk criteria, factors to be considered should include the following:

Organisation has policies, procedures and practices for defining risk


criteria, and defined criteria are applicable across projects and
activities.

Risk criteria incorporate likelihood and consequence criteria.

the nature and types of causes and consequences that can occur and how they will be
measured;

September 2015
Doc Ref. 36406

Risk criteria incorporate nature and types of causes and


consequences that can occur and how they will be measured.

Risk criteria incorporate parameters for the determination of risk levels.

Score

Weight

C4

Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited

Draft - see disclaimer

Text as derived from ISO 31000:2009

Example wording for scoring system

how likelihood will be defined;

Risk criteria take into account views of stakeholders.

the timeframe(s) of the likelihood and/or consequence(s);

how the level of risk is to be determined;

the views of stakeholders;

the level at which risk becomes acceptable or tolerable; and

whether combinations of multiple risks

September 2015
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Risk criteria definitions account for level at which risk becomes


acceptable or tolerable.
Risk criteria take into account combinations of multiple risks.

Score

Weight

September 2015
Doc Ref. 36406

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited

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