Environmental considerations around in-situ decommissioning of oil and gas pipeline infrastructure in marine environments
Anam Saeed A * , Bethan Parnum A and Michael Fichera BA Environmental Resources Management, Perth, WA, Australia.
B Environmental Resources Management, Malvern, PA, USA.
The APPEA Journal 63 S321-S324 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22127
Accepted: 20 February 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
The base case for decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure under Australian laws and regulations is the full removal. However, alternative options may be considered, provided equal or better environmental, safety and well-integrity outcomes compared to complete removal can be demonstrated. In order to evaluate in-situ retention options, the composition of materials, including any contaminants, must be fully understood, along with degradation timeframes and exposure pathways to the marine environment. In this paper, we articulate measurable parameters for the evaluation of pipeline materials including their composition chemistry, material degradation products and their properties, environmental toxicity, and potential interaction of infrastructure components with seawater and ecological receptors. In the absence of measured data from the degradation of pipeline materials over time, theoretical modelling is an essential tool to evaluate the transportation, distribution, and fate of materials such as plastic particles from pipeline coatings. Most of the components present in oil and gas pipelines, when degraded, are either soluble in water or if insoluble, accumulate locally in the sediment. However, the accumulated components will be rapidly dissipated by the wave currents around the pipeline and physical movements within the sediments, which will prevent the chemicals from accumulating to concentrations that could cause toxicity.
Keywords: decommissioning, fusion-bonded epoxy, heat shrink sleeve, marine environment, microplastics, oil and gas infrastructure, sediments, trace metals, water quality.
Dr. Anam Saeed is a Senior Consultant with ERM, experienced in evaluating the material compositions of oil and gas infrastructure, including toxicity, degradation properties and interactions with seawater, and ecological receptors. |
Bethan Parnum is a Consulting Director with ERM and has over 15 years’ experience in environmental impact assessment and regulatory approvals for offshore oil and gas projects. She has conducted several technical studies supporting the assessment of options for decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure. |
Michael Fichera is a Principal Consultant with ERM with 20 years’ experience in hydrodynamic modelling and toxicity assessments. |
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