Shell UK Limited Shearwater Field Increase In Production Environmental

shell u.k. limited shearwater field increase in production environmental statement summary to: jonathan ward from: nienke

Shell U.K. Limited
Shearwater Field Increase in Production
Environmental Statement Summary
To: Jonathan Ward
From: Nienke Mayo
Date: 7 September 2017
ES Title:
Shearwater Field Production Increase
Operator:
Shell U.K. Limited (Shell)
Consultants:
OGA Field Group:
Central North Sea
ES Report No:
D/4194/2017
ES Submission Date:
February 2017
Block No:
22/30b
Development Type:
Increase in Production
Project Description
Shell U.K. Limited (Shell) proposes to increase the level of
production from the Shearwater field. The field is located in Block
22/30 of the central North Sea, approximately 230 kilometres (km) from
the nearest UK coastline at Peterhead on the Aberdeenshire coast and
approximately 25 km from the UK/Norway median line. The water depth in
the area is approximately 90 metres (m).
The field comprises two platforms, the Shearwater C Process, Utilities
and Quarters (PUQ) platform which is linked by an 80 m bridge to the
Shearwater A Wellhead Platform (WHP). Shearwater is also host to three
subsea satellite tie‑back fields, Scoter, Merganser and Starling.
Produced gas is exported to Bacton via the 34" Shearwater Elgin Area
Line (SEAL) and produced liquids are exported via the 24" Graben Area
Export Line to Forties Unity, and then via the Forties Pipeline System
(FPS) to Cruden Bay.
Two new Shearwater wells are scheduled to come online during 2017, and
production levels will then exceed the current consented levels. The
anticipated increase in gas production will be greater than the
500,000 m3 per day EIA Directive threshold and an Environmental
Statement (ES) was therefore required under the Offshore Pipelines
(Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (as amended).
The proposed increase in production is within the design capacity of
the Shearwater platform complex and no plant modification is required
to process the additional gas. The Shearwater field has an Oil
Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP) covering its production operations.
Key Environmental Impacts
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) identified and discussed the
following key changes as having the potential to cause an
environmental impact:
*
Additional atmospheric emissions;
*
Increased chemical use and discharge requirements; and
*
Increased produced water discharge volume.
Key Environmental Sensitivities
The EIA identified the following environmental sensitivities:
*
Fish: The Shearwater field is located within spawning grounds for
cod, Norway pout, lemon sole, mackerel, sandeels and Norway
lobster; and within nursery areas for blue whiting, cod, haddock,
hake, ling, Norway pout, whiting, plaice, anglerfish, herring,
mackerel, sandeels, spurdog and Norway lobster. However, the
spawning and nursery areas are extensive and the increase in
production is unlikely to have any impact on these species.
*
Seabirds: Seabird vulnerability is high in January and November,
moderate in July, September, October and December, and low for the
remainder of the year. It is considered that there are sufficient
mitigation measures in place to prevent accidental spills that
could have a significant impact on seabirds, and Shell has an
approved Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP) in place for the
Shearwater facilities and operations.
*
Protected habitats: The Shearwater field is located approximately
20 km from the East of Gannet and Montrose Fields Nature
Conservation Marine Protected Area. The increase in production is
not expected to have any significant impact on this or any other
protected habitat.
*
Protected species: Harbour porpoise have been recorded in Block
22/30 during May and June. Grey and common seals inhabit coastal
and inshore waters adjacent to Scotland and have occasionally been
observed to travel long distances when foraging. However, both
species are unlikely to be present in large numbers in the
Shearwater field area. No disturbance of marine mammals, or any
other adverse impacts on marine mammals, are anticipated in
relation to the increase in production.
*
Other users of the sea: The development is located within ICES
rectangle 43F1, and relative fishing effort in the area is low.
Shipping density in the vicinity of Block 22/30 is also low.
Appropriate navigational controls are already in place, and it is
not anticipated that there will be any significant impact on other
users of the sea as a result of the increase in production.
*
In-combination, Cumulative and transboundary effects: No
significant in-combination, cumulative or transboundary effects
are anticipated as a result of the increases in marine discharges
and atmospheric emissions.
Key Mitigation Measures (including Monitoring Conditions)
No significant adverse impacts are anticipated that would warrant
specific mitigation measures or monitoring conditions. All activities
will be undertaken in line with commitments detailed in the ES and
best industry practice.
Consultation
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Marine Scotland
(MS) were consulted on the proposals. The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) were also notified of the proposals. The ES was also subject to
public notice.
JNCC: JNCC confirmed that they had no objections.
MS: MS confirmed that they had no objections.
HSE: HSE did not raise any objections.
No comments were received in response to the public notice.
Further Information
Further information was requested from Shell to address issues raised
during the internal BEIS OPRED review, including clarification of an
apparent discrepancy between the production levels detailed in the ES
and the levels included in the revised production consent application
submitted to the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). The additional
information received from Shell on 28 August 2017 addressed all of the
issues that were raised.
Conclusion
Following review of the ES, the responses received from consultees and
the additional information provided by Shell, BEIS OPRED is satisfied
that this project will not have a significant adverse impact on the
receiving environment or the living resources it supports, or on any
protected habitats or species or other users of the sea.
Recommendation
On the basis of the information presented within the ES, the advice
received from consultees and the additional information provided by
Shell, BEIS OPRED is content that there are no environmental or
navigational objections, and agrees to the OGA issuing the necessary
consent for the proposals. This agreement is not subject to the
inclusion of any specific environmental conditions in the revised
production consent.
Jonathan Ward……………………………………… 08/09/2017
Jonathan Ward Date
Director, Offshore Environment Unit
BEIS OPRED
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