Late last year (6 December 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) issued clarification of DECC guidance relating to environmental aspects of drilling, well intervention and well abandonment operations.
Originally, the information was communicated to oil and gas operators and Mobile Drilling Unit operators following the Deepwater Horizon incident. Whilst, many operators were already be familiar with the points raised, DECC has recommended that operators should study the most recent iteration to develop an overall picture of environmental requirements.
The guidance covers four main aspects:
- Environmental Statements and Direction applications
- Other Environmental Application Submissions
- Oil Pollution Emergency Plans
- Environmental Reviews and Inspections.
Further information on the guidance documents can be found at http://tinyurl.com/clajxyh