MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF THREE OFFSHORE OILFIELDS IN TROPICAL WATERS OF NORTH-WEST AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Environmentally safe management of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities is becoming increasingly important, particularly in sensitive marine areas. LeProvost Environmental Consultants have been working closely with Hadson Energy Limited, Western Mining Corporation Ltd and West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd to produce environmental impact assessments, environmental management plans and monitoring programs for oilfields recently developed on the North West Shelf. Many of the well sites are located in areas with sensitive ecological habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and prawn spawning and fishing grounds. Consequently, operators in these areas have been required to produce comprehensive Environmental Management Plans and Oil Spill Contingency Plans, to gain development and operating approvals from the Western Australian Government.

Formulation of these plans begins with baseline surveys of the biological, physical and social characteristics of the study area. Hydrodynamic modelling of the metocean conditions produces oil spill prediction envelopes to highlight the areas that may potentially be affected by an oil spill, if one should occur. Site-specific oil spill response procedures are then designed to cater for the sensitive marine habitats of the area, using the resources that are available in the region to deal with an oil spill.

Results to date from the Marine Biological Monitoring Programs for three oilfields have supported predictions that no significant adverse impacts on the environment would result from the development and operation of the oilfields.