Revision of Environment Plans - Otway Offshore Operations and Gippsland Offshore Operations
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND RISKS
What are they?
OTWAY OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
Status: Consultation paused- Under review by Cooper Energy
During our project planning for our Otway Operations we took time to understand the interactions with the environment and possible outcomes. Each of the impacts and risks have been evaluated. Following evaluation, which involved characterising the level of impact and risk, we identified control measures to reduce the risks to the environment to as low as reasonably practicable, and to an acceptable level.
Please consider this information and think carefully about your functions, interests and activities and how they might be affected by our activities. We hope to begin a two-way conversation to learn more about those overlaps and potential opportunities to further reduce the impact, or risk.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
The operational process includes a range of interactions within the environment. These result from:
Interaction with other marine users
Seabed disturbance
Light emissions from vessels
Underwater sound emissions from vessel propellers and subsea equipment
Atmospheric emissions from fuel use
Climate Change from fuel use
Planned Discharges: Cement, cooling waster and brine, deck drainage operational discharges and bilge, sewage greywater and putriscible.
Details of these interactions, and how we manage our activities to reduce impacts, can be found in the Environment Plans section 6.
RISK EVENTS (SCENARIOS)
Marine fauna interaction with vessels causing disturbance or injury to the animal
Introduction, establishment and spread of invasive marine species from vessels
Dropped objects disturbing the seabed
Waste contaminating the environment (hazardous and non-hazardous)
Small leaks or spills of chemicals or hydrocarbons
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Loss of containment of diesel from vessel fuel tank
Loss of containment from subsea infrastructure, pipelines and wells
Details of these risk events can be found in section 7 of the Environment Plan. The section characterises the risk events, and describes how we manage our activities to prevent the risk events from occurring, and, in the unlikely event they do occur, how we would respond.
GIPPSLAND OPERATIONS
Status: Consultation paused- Under review by Cooper Energy
During our project planning for Gippsland Operations, we took time to understand the interactions with the environment and possible outcomes. Each of the impacts and risks were evaluated. Following the evaluation, which involved characterising the level of impact and risk, we identified control measures to reduce the risks to the environment to as low as reasonably practicable and to an acceptable level.
We are sharing this information to allow consultees to reflect on their own functions, interests, and activities, consider whether the interactions between our activities and the environment are relevant to them, and begin a two-way conversation to learn more about those overlaps and potential opportunities to further reduce the impact or risk.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
The operational process includes a range of interactions within the environment. These result from:
Displacement of other marine users
Seabed disturbance
Light emissions from vessels
Underwater sound emissions from vessel propellers and subsea equipment such as multibeam echo sounders.
Atmospheric emissions from fuel use and flaring of excess reservoir hydrocarbons
Planned discharges - subsea operational
Planned discharges - surface operational
Planned discharges - routine vessel
RISK EVENTS (SCENARIOS)
Marine fauna interaction with vessels causing disturbance or injury to the animal
Introduction, establishment and spread of invasive marine species from vessels
Dropped objects disturbing the seabed
Waste contaminating the environment (hazardous and non-hazardous)
Leaks or spills of chemicals or hydrocarbons
EMERGENCY RESPONSE SCENARIOS
Loss of containment of diesel from vessel fuel tank
Loss of containment from umbilical, pipeline or infrastructure leak
HOW DO WE MANAGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND RISKS?
OTWAY OPERATIONS
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
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Seabed disturbance: Disturbance minimised through selection of appropriate vessels (e.g. dynamically positioned vs moored where conditions and activities allow). Positioning technology to accurately place equipment on the seabed, and recovery of temporary equipment.
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Physical Interaction - interaction with other marine users: Engagement with other marine users, notification before the start of activities and ongoing communication will provide information to other marine users. Vessel will follow marine requirements for safe navigation and radio equipment. Fisheries damages protocol to facilitate compensation in case of damage to fishing equipment outside of designated safety zones.
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Light Emissions: Emissions will be reduced by following legislation and marine orders, through choices of equipment and appropriate fluids handling and well returns management. A pre-campaign light risk review and compliance with marine orders will minimise light emissions.
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Underwater Sound Emissions: Operational controls will be implemented to reduce noise generation and adaptive management measures will be implemented which provide for monitoring for whales, and response to prevent disturbance to endangered species undertaking important behaviours such as foraging.
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Atmospheric and GHG Emissions: Emissions will be reduced through following AMSA discharge standards and meeting legislative requirements. Where CO2 emissions generated during the offshore IMR campaign cannot be eliminated, they will be offset. We hold carbon neutral certification and will maintain this for the duration of the Environment Plan.
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Planned discharges (Cement, cooling water and brine, deck drainage and treated bilge, sewage and food waste, operational discharges, other) : A Chemical Assessment Process, based on the internationally recognised UKCS Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme will be followed to select chemicals; through this process we investigate chemical ecotoxicity and preference chemicals with lower overall ecotoxicity profiles.
Further details can be found in the Environment Plan section 6.
RISK EVENTS (SCENARIOS)
Marine Fauna Interaction: To reduce the risk of interaction with whales the EPBC regulations will be followed. The standard EPBC caution zone (300m) or more will be applied between whales and project vessels to reduce risk of injury. For all activities, adaptive management measures will be implemented which provide for monitoring for whales, and response to prevent disturbance to endangered species undertaking important behaviours such as foraging.
Waste contamination of the environment (Hazardous and Non-hazardous): Vessels will follow the AMSA discharge standards and implement a garbage management plan. Records will be maintained of waste generated and how it was managed.
Dropped object disturbing seabed: Equipment deployment and recovery procedures will be implemented ensuring lifts part of the IMR campaign are within the safe parameters of the vessel and lifting equipment capability.
Spill or leak of chemicals or hydrocarbons: The vessel will be compliant with MARPOL Annex I (Pollution Prevention Control) and a planned maintenance system will be implemented which ensures equipment is fit for service.
Introduction, establishment and spread of invasive marine species (IMS): The Cooper Energy IMS risk management protocol will be followed with an IMS risk assessment undertaken. This protocol has been designed to operationalise government biofouling management guidelines. This applies to all vessels and submersible equipment.
Further detail can be found in the Environment Plan section 6.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE SCENARIOS
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Loss of containment of diesel from vessel fuel tank : Exclusion and caution zones will be in place with ongoing consultation with marine users. Marine orders and MARPOL requirements will be complied with. Other measures will include implementation of an accepted safety case, planned maintenance system and a SIMOPS procedure. Readiness for an unplanned spill is coordinated through the vessel Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan, project Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP) and Operational Scientific Monitoring Plan (OSMP).
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Loss of containment from subsea infrastructure, pipelines and wells : Exclusion and caution zones will be in place and ongoing consultation with marine users. Other measures will include implementation of planned maintenance system and an operations field safety case.
Details of these activities can be found in the Environment Plan sections 6 and 7. The Oil Pollution Emergency Plan developed for response preparedness is also available with the EP on the NOPSEMA website.
GIPPSLAND OPERATIONS
GIPPSLAND OPERATIONS PLANNED ACTIVITIES
Seabed disturbance: Disturbance minimised through selection of appropriate vessels (e.g. dynamically positioned vs moored where conditions and activities allow). Positioning technology to accurately place equipment on the seabed, and recovery of temporary equipment.
Physical Interaction - interaction with other marine users: Engagement with other marine users, notification before the start of activities and ongoing communication will provide information to other marine users. Vessel will follow marine requirements for safe navigation and radio equipment. Fisheries damages protocol to facilitate compensation in case of damage to fishing equipment outside of designated safety zones.
Light Emissions: Emissions will be reduced by following legislation and marine orders, through choices of equipment and appropriate fluids handling and well returns management. A pre-campaign light risk review and compliance with marine orders will minimise light emissions.
Underwater Sound Emissions: Operational controls will be implemented to reduce noise generation and adaptive management measures will be implemented which provide for monitoring for whales, and response to prevent disturbance to endangered species undertaking important behaviours such as foraging..
Atmospheric and GHG Emissions: Emissions will be reduced through following AMSA discharge standards and meeting legislative requirements. Where CO2 emissions generated during the offshore IMR campaign cannot be eliminated, they will be offset. We hold carbon neutral certification and will maintain this for the duration of the Environment Plan.
Planned discharges (Cement, cooling water and brine, deck drainage and treated bilge, sewage and food waste, operational discharges, other) : A Chemical Assessment Process, based on the internationally recognised UKCS Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme will be followed to select chemicals; through this process we investigate chemical ecotoxicity and preference chemicals with lower overall ecotoxicity profiles.
Further details can be found in the Environment Plan section 6.
GIPPSLAND OPERATIONS RISK EVENTS (SCENARIOS)
Marine Fauna Interaction: To reduce the risk of interaction with whales the EPBC regulations will be followed. The standard EPBC caution zone (300m) or more will be applied between whales and project vessels to reduce risk of injury. For all activities, adaptive management measures will be implemented which provide for monitoring for whales, and response to prevent disturbance to endangered species undertaking important behaviours such as foraging.
Waste contamination of the environment (Hazardous and Non-hazardous): Vessels will follow the AMSA discharge standards and implement a garbage management plan. Records will be maintained of waste generated and how it was managed.
Dropped object disturbing seabed: Equipment deployment and recovery procedures will be implemented ensuring lifts part of the IMR campaign are within the safe parameters of the vessel and lifting equipment capability.
Spill or leak of chemicals or hydrocarbons: The vessel will be compliant with MARPOL Annex I (Pollution Prevention Control) and a planned maintenance system will be implemented which ensures equipment is fit for service.
Introduction, establishment and spread of invasive marine species (IMS): The Cooper Energy IMS risk management protocol will be followed with an IMS risk assessment undertaken. This protocol has been designed to operationalise government biofouling management guidelines. This applies to all vessels and submersible equipment.
Further detail can be found in the Environment Plan section 6.
GIPPSLAND OPERATIONS EMERGENCY SITUATION
Loss of containment of diesel from vessel fuel tank : Exclusion and caution zones will be in place with ongoing consultation with marine users. Marine orders and MARPOL requirements will be complied with. Other measures will include implementation of an accepted safety case, planned maintenance system and a SIMOPS procedure. Readiness for an unplanned spill is coordinated through the vessel Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan, project Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP) and Operational Scientific Monitoring Plan (OSMP).
Loss of containment from subsea infrastructure, pipelines and wells : Exclusion and caution zones will be in place and ongoing consultation with marine users. Other measures will include implementation of planned maintenance system and an operations field safety case.
Details of these activities can be found in the Environment Plan sections 6 and 7. The Oil Pollution Emergency Plan developed for response preparedness is also available with the EP on the NOPSEMA website.
OTWAY ACTIVITIES SPILL RISK
Spill risk scenarios for our Otway offshore facilities and activities include loss of hydrocarbon inventory from facilities and loss of fuel inventory from vessels undertaking work for us offshore.
This set of images are based on spill modelling undertaken during the preparation of the Otway Operations Environment Plan and Oil Pollution Emergency Plan. These plans provide for our ongoing operational work at the offshore CHN facilities.
HOW MUCH OIL COULD END UP ON SHORELINES?
Within this image, the different colour lines indicate the varying degrees of oiling which could occur along coastlines in an emergency blowout scenario. This assumes no intervention- that is that we do nothing to respond which is not what would happen in reality. The line colour indicates the maximum level of oiling which could occur at shoreline locations inside the line. Oil would also occur within and on the water; we have detailed maps for all phases of the oil within the Environment Plan and modelling reports within the appendices.
IN THE EVENT OF A SPILL, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE FOR OIL TO REACH THE SHORE?
The lines in this image delineate the time oil takes to reach the shoreline in an emergency blowout scenario. It assumes no intervention. The time taken for oil to reach the shoreline generally increases with distance from the well. The longer oil spends at sea the more weathered it becomes.
CONTACT US
We invite you to join our network and engage with us regarding our activities.
To find out more about Cooper Energy or our activities please contact us through the webform. We are keen to hear from people and organisations with functions, activities or interests within the areas we operate and to discuss how we interact and find out how we can work together.
Level 8, 70 Franklin Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Page last updated April 2023
08 8100 4900