Agenda Item 13
OIC 11/13/1-E
Original: English
OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
Meeting of the Offshore Industry Committee (OIC)
Barcelona (Spain): 7-11 March 2011
Contents of the Summary Record
Agenda Item 0 – Opening of the Meeting .......................................................................................................... 3
Representation at the meeting ................................................................................................................ 3
Agenda Item 1 - Adoption of the Agenda .......................................................................................................... 4
Agenda Item 2 – Produced water ...................................................................................................................... 5
Risk-based approach .............................................................................................................................. 5
Methods of analysis for produced water ................................................................................................. 6
PARCOM Recommendation 86/1 ........................................................................................................... 7
Background document on BAT for produced water ................................................................................ 7
Agenda Item 3 – Offshore chemicals ................................................................................................................ 7
Harmonised mandatory control system for the use and discharge of offshore chemicals...................... 7
The PLONOR list ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Environmental Goals for LCPA ............................................................................................................... 9
Agenda Item 4 – Drilling activities ................................................................................................................... 10
Prevention of significant acute oil pollution from offshore drilling activities........................................... 10
Methane leak ......................................................................................................................................... 12
Agenda Item 5 - Offshore Installations ............................................................................................................ 12
Agenda Item 6 – Adverse effects of offshore activities other than pollution.................................................... 13
Possible effects of regular lighting from offshore installations .............................................................. 13
Placement of CO2 ................................................................................................................................. 13
Agenda Item 7 – Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme .................................................................... 14
OSPAR Report on discharges, spills and emissions from offshore installations .................................. 14
Agenda Item 8 – Review of existing measures and implementation reporting ............................................... 16
Agenda Item 9 – Cooperation with other international organisations .............................................................. 16
Bonn Agreement.................................................................................................................................... 16
Abidjan Convention ............................................................................................................................... 16
Agenda Item 10 – Interaction with OSPAR Coordination Group ..................................................................... 17
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Ecosystem approach audit .................................................................................................................... 17
Climate change and ocean acidification ................................................................................................ 17
Agenda Item 11 – Organisational Issues ......................................................................................................... 17
Work programmes for 2011/2012 .......................................................................................................... 17
Terms of Reference for OIC .................................................................................................................. 17
Future meeting arrangements ............................................................................................................... 17
Agenda Item 12 – Any other business ............................................................................................................. 18
Agenda Item 13 – Adoption of the summary record ........................................................................................ 18
Annexes
List of participants ................................................................................................................................... Annex 1
Agenda and list of documents ................................................................................................................ Annex 2
Actions arising from the meeting ............................................................................................................ Annex 3
Draft OSPAR Recommendation 2011/X amending OSPAR Recommendation 2001/1 for
the Management of Produced Water from Offshore Installations as amended ..................................... Annex 4
Draft OSPAR Recommendation 2011/X For a Risk-based Approach to the Management of Produced
Water Discharged from Offshore Installations ........................................................................................ Annex 5
Terms of Reference for an OSPAR Workshop on research into possible effects of regular platform
lighting on specific Bird population(s) ..................................................................................................... Annex 6
EAP terms of Reference ......................................................................................................................... Annex 7
Draft Terms of Reference for the Offshore Industry Committee ............................................................. Annex 8
Draft 2011-2012 Programme of Work for the Offshore Industry Committee (OIC) - 2011/2012 ............ Annex 9
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Agenda Item 13
OIC 11/13/1-E
Original: English
OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
Meeting of the Offshore Industry Committee (OIC)
Barcelona (Spain): 7-11 March 2011
Summary Record
Agenda Item 0 – Opening of the Meeting
0.1 The 2011 meeting of the Offshore Industry Committee (OIC) was held from 7 – 11 March 2011 in
Barcelona at the kind invitation of the Spanish Government and the Barcelona Convention, Regional Activity
Centre for Cleaner Production (CP/RAC) of the UNEP - Mediterranean Action Plan. The participants were
welcomed to Barcelona by the Head of the Spanish Delegation, Ms Itziar Martin Partida and the Director of
the CP/RAC Mr Enrique de Villamore recalled the entry into force of the Offshore Protocol of the Barcelona
Convention on 24 March 2011 and welcomed this opportunity to exchange information and experience on
offshore oil and gas activities in both Regional Seas Conventions.
0.2. The Chairman of OIC (Mr. Kevin O’Carroll) thanked Spain for their kind hospitality and welcomed
participants, highlighting the main challenges for OIC 2011, and the priority for progressing work to deliver
the risk-based approach to produced water, the delivery of Recommendation 2010/18 on the prevention of
significant acute pollution from offshore drilling activities and to implement the Joint Assessment and
Monitoring Programme (JAMP) 2010-2014 and coordinate the regional implementation of the EU Marine
Strategy Framework Directive.
Representation at the meeting
0.3 The meeting was chaired by Mr Kevin O’Carroll (United Kingdom) and was attended by
representatives from the following:
a.
Contracting Parties
Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK);
b.
Intergovernmental Observer Organisations
UNEP-MAP;
c.
Non-Governmental Observer Organisations
Association Robin des Bois, the European Oilfield Speciality Chemicals Association (EOSCA),
the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP), and Seas at Risk (SAR).
The list of participants is at Annex 1.
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Agenda Item 1 - Adoption of the Agenda
OIC 11/1/1; OIC 11/1/1 Add.1; OIC 11/1/Info.1-OIC 11/1/Info.6.
1.1 The draft agenda (OIC 11/1/1) was adopted without amendment. The meeting noted that there were
some documents which had been submitted late, but agreed to discuss all the documents. A copy of the
agenda and documents submitted to the meeting is at Annex 2. A list of actions arising from the meeting is
at Annex 3.
1.2 OIC noted those items of the 2010/2011 Programme of Work for the Offshore Industry Committee
(OIC 11/1/Info.1) that required action by the meeting.
1.3 OIC noted an introductory address by the Chairman of the OSPAR Commission, Mr Victor Escobar.
He recalled the achievements of the 2010 OSPAR Ministerial Meeting and the challenges ahead for the
OSPAR Commission. He drew the attention of the meeting to the objectives of the North East Atlantic
Environment Strategy for the period 2010-2020 including a new overarching Part on the implementation of
the Ecosystem Approach and the new OSPAR vision of “a clean, healthy and biologically diverse North East
Atlantic Ocean, used sustainably”. He appreciated OIC´s proactive role in the implementation of the Joint
Assessment Monitoring Programme 2010-2014.
1.4 The Secretariat presented the outcomes of the OSPAR Ministerial Meeting, held in September 2010 in
Bergen, Norway. OIC noted in particular OIC 11/1/Info.2:
a.
the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy and its Part I on the ecosystem approach;
b.
the JAMP 2010-2014, including the general Theme A to which all OSPAR subsidiary bodies
would need to contribute. In this context, OIC noted a number of requests from CoG 2010
brought forward under various agenda items;
c.
OSPAR’s new working structure to support implementation of the ecosystem approach and
facilitate regional coordination by Contracting Parties of their implementation of the MSFD;
d.
the establishment of an intersessional correspondence group set up by CoG to advise on the
coordination of OSPAR’s work on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (ICG MSFD).
OSPAR subsidiary bodies are invited to take account of, and respond to, advice of ICG MSFD
in the intersession.
1.5 OIC noted the latest developments with respect to the implementation of the EU MSFD
(OIC 11/1/Info.3), including the elaboration of a document to develop consistent interpretation of MSFD
terminology within OSPAR (OIC 11/1/Info.4).
1.6
OIC noted as background to its work under various agenda items:
a.
the key dates of the road map for implementation of the MSFD;
b.
the latest developments in defining criteria and methodological standards for good
environmental status, especially in relation to Descriptors 1, 6, 8 and 11 of Annex 1 of the EU
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (OIC 11/1/Info.3);
c.
the Commission Decision of 1 September 2010 on criteria and methodological standards on
good environmental status of marine waters (OIC 11/1/Info.3).
1.7 OIC noted comments submitted from MARINET on the 2010 Ministerial Meeting and the work of the
OSPAR Commission (OIC 11/1/Info.6).
1.8
OIC also noted guidance for applying statistical techniques prepared by RSC (OIC 11/1/Info.5).
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Agenda Item 2 – Produced water
OIC 11/2/1, OIC 11/2/2; OIC 11/2/3; OIC 11/2/4; OIC 11/2/5; OIC 11/2/6 Rev.1; OIC 11/2/7-OIC 11/2/8,
OIC 11/2/9, OIC 11/2/10, OIC 11/2/11, OIC 11/2/Info.1
Risk-based approach
OIC 11/2/9, OIC 11/2/10, OIC 11/2/11, OIC 11/2/Info.1
2.1 Norway and the UK presented a proposal for a draft OSPAR Recommendation 2011/X for a Risk
Based Approach to the management of produced water discharged from offshore installations (OIC 11/2/2).
OIC noted that considerable progress had been made since the submission of the draft Recommendation 12
weeks before the OIC meeting according to OSPAR Rules of Procedure. The conveners of the
Intersessional Correspondence Group for the development of the Recommendation (ICG-RBA) (the
Netherlands, Norway and the UK) presented a working paper to OIC that included all comments received
from Contracting Parties and observers and OIC agreed to use this as a starting point for the further
discussion of the Recommendation at OIC 2011.
2.2 OIC noted a compilation of the results of national consultations carried out by Contracting Parties
between April and June 2010 (OIC 11/2/Info.1).
2.3 OIC noted documents commenting on the draft RBA Recommendation from OGP (11/2/8) and
EOSCA (11/2/6). OGP and EOSCA pointed out that their comments related to the proposed draft RBA
Recommendation as presented in OIC 11/2/2 which differed from the draft put forward in the working paper.
In discussion OIC noted:
a.
EOSCA expressed concern about a possibly conflicting relationship between the proposed
RBA-Recommendation and Decision 2000/2 on a Harmonised Mandatory Control System for
the Use and Reduction of the Discharge of Offshore Chemicals (HMCS);
b.
that the concepts of “no-harm” or “no risk” had not been defined yet in the proposed
Recommendation and that “no-harm” could not be defined by the ICG-RBA;
c.
that OSPAR should adopt a RBA Recommendation only in conjunction with the associated
Guidelines.
2.4 The Netherlands presented conclusions concerning the applicability of Whole Effluent Testing on
produced water samples based on a practical sampling programme conducted on 30 offshore installations in
the OSPAR region (OIC 11/2/9). In discussion OIC considered the sensitivity and applicability of bioassays
(e.g. LUMIMARA) for Whole Effluent Testing on produced water. One Contracting Party reported on their
experience in the testing programme and confirmed the suitability of a Whole Effluent based approach to
indicate the toxicity of produced water samples. OGP noted however that little was known on the
repeatability and reproducibility of the tests in the context of a regulatory scheme. Following discussion OIC
concluded that Phase I of the practical programme has demonstrated the usability of Whole Effluent Testing
of produced water samples as part of the Risk Based Approach.
2.5 OIC recognised that produced water discharges may contain radioactive substances, however, agreed
that radioactive substances should not be included in the RBA Recommendation as appropriate tools to
assess radiation risks associated with any naturally occurring substances were not available. The Chairman
of the Radioactive Substances Committee (RSC), Dr Justin Gwynn, used this occasion to report on
scheduled work in RSC to review existing research on impacts to biota of discharges to the marine
environment from the non-nuclear sector.
2.6 The Netherlands presented a skeleton for the draft Guidelines for a Risk-Based Approach to the
management of produced water discharged from offshore installations (OIC 11/2/3), together with a further
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developed working document that was distributed at the meeting. OIC concluded that the finalisation of the
Guidelines should be taken forward after OIC so that they were available for adoption together with the RBA
Recommendation.
2.7
Further to consideration by a drafting group, OIC agreed:
a.
on a draft OSPAR Recommendation 2011/X for a Risk-Based Approach to the
Management of Produced Water Discharged from Offshore Installations (Annex 5) and
that this should be recommended to OSPAR 2011 for adoption, subject to the adoption of
the associated Guidelines. Germany and Ireland entered a general study reservation.
b.
that the draft RBA Recommendation should be submitted to JL (document deadline
13 April 2011) together with the associated Guidelines as background information for JL
if the guidelines were completed by the submission date.
2.8 OIC welcomed the progress made on the RBA Recommendation but stressed the urgent need to
adopt the associated Guidelines at the same time and agreed the following arrangements for their
finalisation:
a.
outstanding information and comments should be submitted to the conveners of ICGRBA (copied directly to DELTARES) within two weeks after the meeting (i.e. 25 March
2011);
b.
the draft Guidelines should be finalised and circulated for commenting to OIC HODs and
observers by 18 April 2011;
c.
comments on the Guidelines should be sent to the conveners of ICG-RBA by 29 April
2011 at the latest. Norway would host a meeting of ICG-RBA to finalise the Guidelines, if
necessary;
d.
the final draft Guidelines should be circulated to OIC HODs for adoption in a written
procedure (copied to observers for information) by 16 May 2011;
e.
the Guidelines should be submitted to OSPAR 2011 together with the RBA
Recommendation for endorsement in a package (document deadline 27 May 2011).
Methods of analysis for produced water
2.9 OIC noted a report from the UK on the outcome of the workshop on dissolved oil, held in Aberdeen on
18 August 2010 (OIC 11/2/4). The main aim of the workshop was to agree on a definition for dissolved oil
and to investigate a standard methodology for the determination of dissolved oil in produced water
discharged from offshore platforms for inclusion in the annual discharges report.
2.10 OIC also noted a proposal from the UK to amend OSPAR Agreement 2005-15 on the OSPAR
Reference Method of Analysis for the Determination of Dispersed Oil Content in Produced Water that was
based on the outcome of the workshop of dissolved oil (OIC 11/2/5). Following discussion OIC agreed to
adopt the amended OSPAR Reference method as at OIC 11/2/5.
2.11 The Netherlands reported on the new approach taken in the Netherlands to analyse the dissolved oil
content in produced water through a modified OSPAR Reference method for determining BTEX
(OIC 11/2/7). OIC appreciated the update and invited the Netherlands to report back to OIC 2012 in greater
detail on their experience with the modified OSPAR Reference method.
2.12 The Netherlands presented a proposal for a draft OSPAR Recommendation 2011/x amending
Recommendation 2001/1 for the Management of Produced Water from Offshore Installations as amended
that had been prepared to incorporate the results of the workshop on dissolved oil (OIC 11/2/1). Following
discussion in a drafting group OIC agreed to recommend to OSPAR 2011 for adoption OSPAR
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Recommendation 2011/x amending Recommendation 2001/1 for the Management of Produced Water from
offshore installations as amended (Annex 4).
PARCOM Recommendation 86/1
2.13 OIC considered a proposal of a draft OSPAR Recommendation to amend PARCOM Recommendation
86/1 on a 40 mg/l emission standard for platforms to clarify that it only concerns ballast water and drainage
water but not displacement water (OIC 11/2/1). The proposed Recommendation was submitted to JL 2010
that identified some uncertainties as to the interplay between PARCOM Recommendation 86/1 (this
recommendation covers formation water, ballast water and drainage water) and OSPAR Recommendation
2001/1 (this recommendation supersedes PARCOM Recommendation except in relation to ballast water,
drainage water and displacement water). JL requested clarification to OIC 2011 on the following issues: (1) if
PARCOM Recommendation 86/1 has to be interpreted to include displacement water, and (2) if not, whether
OSPAR Recommendation 2001/1 would need amendment either instead of, or in addition to, the proposed
amendment to Recommendation 86/1.
2.14 OIC agreed that for the purpose of PARCOM Recommendation 86/1 displacement water should be
considered as a form of ballast water and that an explanatory note should be included in the text of the
Recommendation to clarify this point rather than adopting a new Recommendation amending PARCOM
Recommendation 86/1.
Background document on BAT for produced water
2.15 OIC considered a proposal from the Netherlands for a way forward to carry out an update of the
Background document on BAT for produced water (OIC 11/2/10). The Netherlands invited Contracting
Parties to contribute to the update for certain described techniques based on their experience in the offshore
industry using the templates that had been agreed at OIC 2004. Norway, Spain and the UK volunteered to
contribute to the update and Denmark informed the meeting that it had submitted its report two years ago
and there were no new updates to it so far. OIC agreed on the following steps to finalise the update of the
Background document on BAT for produced water:
a
Contracting Parties should nominate national experts for this work and forward the
contact details to the Netherlands (Mr Leo Henriquez);
b.
the nominated national experts responsible should send the required information to the
Netherlands by 1 November 2011, with a view of finalising the update by January 2012;
c.
the Netherlands should present an updated Background document to OIC 2012.
Agenda Item 3 – Offshore chemicals
OIC 11/3/1-OIC 11/3/8
Harmonised mandatory control system for the use and discharge of offshore chemicals
3.1 OIC considered a proposal from EOSCA to update the OSPAR Guidelines for Completing the
Harmonised Offshore Chemical Notification Format (HOCNF) in order to reflect the changes to the HOCNF
at OIC 2010 (OIC 11/3/3). Following discussion, OIC agreed on the following amendments to put in line the
Guidelines with the HOCNF:
a.
Paragraphs 29 and 33 of the Guidelines should read as follows:
“29. The full chemical composition must be provided when submitting the form to government
bodies. The complete and precise composition of the substance or preparation must be
reported, including each "active" substance, "inert" substance, solvent and additive substance
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and their proportions, using CAS numbers (if available) and recognised chemical formulae or
recognised chemical names for all substances. EINECS, or ELINCS or REACH numbers must
also be provided if they are available. Please note that trade names will not be accepted by the
government bodies. Trade names are; however, useful additional information and should
also be provided where possible.
33. Substances which are on the latest REACH Annex IV list or satisfy the criteria detailed in
REACH Annex V or which are on the latest OSPAR List of Substances / Preparations Used and
Discharged Offshore Which are Considered to Pose Little or no Risk to the Environment
(PLONOR), must also be declared. The REACH Annex IV and Annex V lists can be found on
the ECHA website at:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:268:0014:0019:EN:PDF and
the OSPAR PLONOR list can be found on the OSPAR website at www.ospar.org.”
b.
Paragraph (a), Part 2, Annex 1 to the OSPAR Recommendation 2010/3 on a Harmonised
Offshore Chemical Notification Format (HOCNF) should read as follows:
“a.
c.
Is the substance (or all substances of which the preparation is composed of) on the
OSPAR List of Substances/Preparations Used and Discharged Offshore which are
Considered to Pose Little or not Risk to the Environment (PLONOR) or covered by
REACH EC 1907/2006 Annex IV or Annex V?”
the first sentence of the second box of the Harmonised Pre-Screening Scheme (shaded) in
Appendix 1 to OSPAR Recommendation 2010/4 on a Harmonised Pre-screening Scheme for
Offshore Chemicals should read “Is substance covered by (…)” instead of “Is substance on
(…)”.
3.2 The Secretariat informed OIC on the letter sent to the European Commission to explore options for
achieving accessibility of REACH data sets for OSPAR HMCS purposes as well as on the response from the
European Commission (OIC 11/3/7). The general view was that information required for OSPAR HMCS
purposes was in principle available through Article 119 of REACH. EOSCA noted however that from a legal
perspective it could be the case that such information could not be used for the purpose of completing the
HOCNF.
The PLONOR list
3.3 OIC considered a proposal from Norway to remove four disodium tetraborates and boric acid (CAS
numbers 1330-43-4, 12179-04-3, 1303-96-4, 12267-73-1 and 13840-56-7) from the PLONOR List, due to
reprotoxic properties (OIC 11/3/4). In Norway´s opinion, due to the new classification and labelling by the EU,
these substances did no longer fulfil the PLONOR criteria and should be removed from the List.
3.4 OIC also examined a proposal from EOSCA to retain the aforementioned substances on the PLONOR
List (OIC 11/3/8). Considering the amount of borate naturally present in the receiving environment, it was
EOSCA’s view that it is posing no risk to the environment and that the four disodium tetraborates and the
boric acid would similarly pose no risk to the environment.
3.5
In the discussion OIC noted the following points:
a.
some delegations had not been able to examine in detail the consequences of removing the
substances proposed from the PLONOR List;
b.
PLONOR criteria referred to the marine environment not to human health, therefore naturally
occurring substances in seawater should be retained on the PLONOR List irrespective of any
hazard classifications applied due to human effects;
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c.
at this stage, pending conclusions on these substances under REACH, it was premature to take
a decision on whether or not to remove them from the PLONOR List;
d.
a more pragmatic view should be adopted as regards PLONOR criteria.
3.6 Following discussion, OIC agreed to invite Norway and the UK to review the practical application
of the PLONOR criteria and report back to OIC 2012.
3.7 OIC examined a proposal from the UK to revise the PLONOR List to include substances in Annex IV
of REACH (OIC 11/3/6). In discussion it was noted that substances covered under Annex V of REACH had
not been included, as this Annex details inclusion criteria rather than listing specific substances with
EINECS/CAS numbers.
3.8. OIC noted an update from EOSCA on those substances for which information had been requested
from the industry with a view to finalising the fully review of the PLONOR List (OIC 11/3/1). For these
substances no search results were found on the ECHA website for either the CAS No. search or the
substance name search.
3.9
OIC agreed:
a.
that the inorganic substances lacking data, as detailed in OIC 11/3/1 Annex 1, should be
retained on the PLONOR list;
b.
that the removal of organic substances detailed in Annex 1, other than Lactose (REACH
Annex IV substance), should be deferred until their existing certifications had expired;
c.
to invite Germany, the Netherlands and the UK to confirm expiry dates at OIC 2012. The
expired substances could then be removed from the list, unless additional information had been
provided to support their continued retention.
3.10 OIC noted information provided by EOSCA on changes to substance ID due to REACH registration
and implications for HOCNF information and global approach (OIC 11/3/2). The report triggered a number of
questions as to whether substance ID changes would be accompanied by a change in the product name or
whether potential changes in ID would invalidate the global approach. To clarify these questions the UK
offered to seek legal advice in the light of EOSCA’s document and report back to OIC 2012.
Environmental Goals for LCPA
3.11 OIC examined an overview assessment of Implementation reports on OSPAR Recommendation
2005/2 on Environmental Goals for the Discharge by the Offshore Industry of Chemicals that Are, or Contain
Added Substances, Listed in the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action (OIC 11/3/5). Denmark
informed the meeting that they had now submitted their implementation report.
3.12 In discussion OIC noted the following points:
a.
Norway continued to authorise the use of pipes dopes containing lead, but under circumstances
where there were no planned discharges;
b.
the situation in the UK was essentially the same as in Norway. In both cases, operators are only
using pipe dopes containing lead under circumstances where there are no planned discharges;
c.
Norway had reported in these cases zero discharges, whereas the UK had used the standard
default factor for the permitting and reporting of pipe dopes;
d.
the UK would continue to permit the use of pipe dopes containing lead for specific operations
where there is no planned discharge, but would intend to change its permitting and reporting
procedures for those uses to indicate that there is zero discharge:
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e.
the Netherlands asked for clarification as to the technical and safety aspects involving the use of
pipes dopes containing lead.
3.13 Based on discussion OIC concluded that the information presented in the draft assessment report
indicated that OSPAR Recommendation 2005/2 had been applied across all Contracting Parties and invited:
a.
the UK to provide further information in relation to the safety and technical aspects of the
pipe dopes containing lead at OIC 2012;
b.
the UK to finalise the draft overview assessment and send it to the Secretariat by
1 April 2011;
c.
the Secretariat to send the draft overview assessment to OIC HODs for adoption in a
written procedure to be concluded by 15 April 2011 with a view to adopting it for
publication by OSPAR 2011.
Agenda Item 4 – Drilling activities
OIC 11/4/1; OIC 11/4/1 Add.1, OIC 11/4/2, OIC 11/4/3 Rev.1
Prevention of significant acute oil pollution from offshore drilling activities
4.1 As the convener of the Intersessional Correspondence Group on the assessment of the results of
investigations of drilling in extreme conditions and their relevance to potential environmental impacts (ICGDRILLEX), Norway reported on the status of the implementation of Recommendation 2010/18 on the
prevention of significant acute oil pollution from offshore drilling activities (OIC 11/4/1 + Add.1). As a starting
point, Norway had circulated a questionnaire to Contracting Parties and Observers to gather information on
national measures taken to prevent pollution from offshore drilling operations. Before OIC, completed
questionnaires were received from Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the UK and
Greenpeace.
4.2
In an initial discussion on the work of ICG-DRILLEX OIC noted:
a.
that Denmark would submit their completed questionnaire to Norway as soon as possible,
including information from the Faroe Islands and Greenland;
b.
that there should be an exchange of information between Contracting Parties and other forums
such as NSOAF;
c.
an update from Contracting Parties on their national review processes of regulatory frameworks
to take into account relevant learning from the Deepwater Horizon accident;
d.
that some Contracting Parties saw an urgent need to take action with regard to possible risks
related to offshore operations and, as appropriate, to identify possible measures within the
scope of the OSPAR Convention and as required by Recommendation 2010/18;
e.
that other Contracting Parties preferred to postpone decisions on possible actions within the
scope of OSPAR as most national review processes were still ongoing;
f.
that there was a need to avoid duplication of work, carried out e.g. in the EU or forums such as
NSOAF and the G20, and that OSPAR should concentrate on possible gaps;
g.
that the activities of other forums would be relevant for OSPAR, however should not pre-judge
the evaluation report or any decision to be taken by OSPAR;
h.
the need to work more closely with authorities responsible for emergency prevention,
preparedness and response (e.g. the Bonn Agreement), taking into account environmental risks
and the sensitivity of marine ecosystems to oil pollution (see OIC 11/9/1);
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i.
that health and safety issues should be considered in conjunction with environmental issues;
j.
the view of some Contracting Parties that many important questions raised in the questionnaire,
e.g. the definition of extreme conditions, still required further discussion;
k.
information from OGP on their activities to support relevant activities in Contracting Parties and
the global oil and gas industry;
l.
the opinion expressed by Robin des Bois, that OSPAR actions on deep sea drilling could serve
as a model for other Regional Seas. Robin des Bois raised particular concern as regards
offshore oil and gas operations in Arctic Waters;
m.
the suggestion from some Contracting Parties to develop general Guidelines for drilling
operations that could be submitted to OSPAR 2011 for adoption and, at a later stage, possibly
be turned into a Recommendation.
4.3 OIC noted a presentation from the European Commission on recent activities related to the safety of
offshore oil and gas installations, including consideration of the framework for action of the European
Commission, the preparation of concrete proposals, basic principles and objectives of EU action, concerns
close to the EU border, liability issues, access to information, options for improving compliance (available as
Presentation 1 in the OIC meeting folder).
4.4
In discussion OIC noted:
a.
that in addition to the process under the EU, OSPAR has the potential to fill possible gaps on
offshore safety on a regional scale;
b.
that parallel work on offshore safety on an EU-level and regionally within OSPAR might have
the potential to create synergies for both processes, as happened previously during the work on
CCS;
c.
that an OSPAR approach on offshore safety could serve as a possible model for other Regional
Seas Conventions or international organisations.
4.5 Seas at Risk (SAR) presented a proposal to agree a moratorium on all new offshore drilling, and at
least all such new drilling in deep and otherwise hazardous waters, until such time as existing regulations
have been adequately improved (OIC 11/4/2). SAR recalled the deep concern of OSPAR Ministers regarding
the Deepwater Horizon incident and their commitment to take all possible steps to prevent and eliminate
pollution from offshore oil and gas activities in extreme conditions. In discussion OIC recalled previous
considerations of a moratorium in the context of the EU initiatives and at the 2010 OSPAR Ministerial
Meeting in Bergen. Robin des Bois expressed their support for the moratorium suggested by SAR, in
particular with regard to the OSPAR Region I (Arctic Waters).
4.6 In a sub-group meeting convened during OIC, Contracting Parties considered a proposal from Plenary
to develop general guidelines for OSPAR on drilling operations. Such guidelines could, as a starting point,
provide an overview of essential regulatory steps and, in the long-term, help to strengthen interaction
between health/safety and environmental aspects of drilling regulations. In discussion, the sub-group
reached no consensus on the level of detail of such guidance but proposed a draft initial list of general
regulatory steps possibly to be included in the report of ICG-DRILLEX to OSPAR 2011.
4.7 OIC noted the proposal from the Netherlands for an evaluation matrix that could support the
preparation of the ICG-DRILLEX report for OSPAR 2011. The Netherlands noted that discussions were too
focused on drilling and that they should centre on extreme conditions, (e.g. shipping collisions), possible spill
scenarios and preparedness measures for the OSPAR area. All Contracting Parties had agreed on a plan of
work before OIC, which included an evaluation before OSPAR 2011. The Netherlands was of the opinion
that such an evaluation could and should take place before OSPAR 2011 and presented an evaluation
matrix that could support the ICG-DRILLEX report. Whereas some Contracting Parties broadly supported the
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suggested approach, others emphasised that definitive answers to such an evaluation could only be given
after the finalisation of the national review processes.
4.8 Following discussion in the sub-group and plenary, OIC concluded that the work of ICG-DRILLEX
should continue as set out in its Terms of Reference (OSPAR 2010 Summary Record, Annex 11) but noted
that a full assessment of the results of investigations and therefore a full assessment of the need for action
within the scope of the OSPAR Convention could not be done due to the different timelines of OSPAR and
the national review processes. It was agreed that:
a.
all Contracting Parties should sent outstanding information or additional comments on
the questionnaires to the convener of ICG-DRILLEX (Norway) as soon as possible but at
the latest by 1 April 2011;
b.
Norway should circulate the first draft of an ICG-DRILLEX status report to OIC HODs and
observer organisations for commenting before Easter 2011 (i.e. 21 April 2011);
c.
the draft report should be agreed by OIC HODs, if necessary at a meeting of ICGDRILLEX. The final report should be sent to the OSPAR Secretariat for submission to
OSPAR 2011 at the latest by 27 May 2011 (i.e. document deadline);
d.
ICG-DRILLEX should continue its work after OSPAR 2011 to finalise its work, including a
full assessment, according to the Terms of Reference.
Methane leak
4.9. OIC noted a report from the UK on a methane leak in UK waters, as requested by OSPAR 2011
(OIC 11/4/3). In discussion OIC noted interest in this case by members of the public of several OSPAR
Contracting Parties. OIC welcomed the update and ongoing research efforts and invited the UK to present
the final results of this research to OIC 2012.
Agenda Item 5 - Offshore Installations
OIC 11/5/1; OIC 11/5/1 Add.1; OIC 11/5/1 Add.2
5.1 OIC noted information from the Secretariat on the biennial update of the inventory of oil and gas
offshore installations in the OSPAR maritime area, which includes maps from Contracting Parties on location
of offshore oil and gas installations and a draft comprehensive map showing all reported installations in the
OSPAR maritime area (OIC 11/5/1; Add.1 and Add.2). The Secretariat pointed out a number of issues
identified in preparing the general map based on the submitted shapefiles.
5.2
In discussion the following points were noted:
a.
the Netherlands had not been able to provide the data required due to the ongoing revamp of
their reporting system and informed the meeting that they would send their data to the
Secretariat as soon as possible;
b.
the EC noted the opportunity that this work could deliver valuable input into the work carried out
under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive;
c.
Norway clarified that a few installations located in Germany and the UK had been reported to be
Norwegian because they were owned by Norway although they were placed outside Norwegian
waters (e.g. a pumping station on the pipeline from the Ekofisk field in Norway to Emden in
Germany).
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5.3
OIC agreed:
a.
that the Netherlands should send to the Secretariat their outstanding data as soon as
possible but at the latest by 1 April 2011, with a view to finalising the update of the
inventory;
b.
to recommend the updated version of the OSPAR Offshore Database to OSPAR 2011 for
publication on the OSPAR website;
c.
that the next reporting date for the biennial update should be 1 November 2012 to
present a new update at OIC 2013.
Agenda Item 6 – Adverse effects of offshore activities other than pollution
OIC 11/6/1; OIC 11/6/Info.1-OIC 11/6/Info.3
Possible effects of regular lighting from offshore installations
6.1 The Netherlands presented a proposal for further action concerning potential impacts of regular
platform lighting on specific bird populations (OIC 11/6/1). As part of this proposal the Netherlands suggested
to host an expert meeting to address open scientific questions on this issue. In discussion OIC noted:
a.
that Germany offered to explore the possibility to provide financial support for such a workshop;
b.
support from France on the Netherlands’ initiative for further action concerning potential impacts
of regular platform lighting on specific bird populations.
c.
the position of the UK that there was not sufficient scientific evidence to conclude whether
lighting from offshore had a significant effect on migratory birds at the population level;
d.
information from Denmark and Germany on national approaches to reduce light emissions from
offshore installations;
e.
support from Robin des Bois for the Dutch initiative, emphasising that it was unquestionable that
lighting can have adverse effects on migratory bird species. Robin des Bois strongly
encouraged Contracting Parties to take national initiatives by following the example of Germany.
6.2 Following discussion OIC agreed Terms of Reference for an OSPAR Workshop on the effects of
offshore lighting on migratory bird species (as at Annex 6).
Placement of CO2
6.3 OIC noted an overview of the Ratification Status of Amendments to the Annexes of the OSPAR
Convention agreed at OSPAR 2007 (OIC 11/6/Info.1). It was noted that six Contracting Parties had already
ratified the amendments whereas ratification from seven Contracting Parties was necessary for the entry into
force of the amendments. The EU also made a statement encouraging Contracting Parties who were
Member States to complete the ratification process if they had not already done so.
6.4 OIC noted overviews of CCS related projects in Norway (OIC 11/6/Info.2) and the UK
(OIC 11/6/Info.3). The Chair thanked Norway and the UK and invited further updates of CCS related work
to OIC 2012.
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Agenda Item 7 – Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme
OIC 11/07/3; OIC 11/07/04 Rev.1, OIC 11/7/4 Rev.1 Add.1, OIC 11/7/5-OIC 11/7/7
OSPAR Report on discharges, spills and emissions from offshore installations
7.1 OIC noted the Report on the intersessional work done by the Expert Assessment Panel (OIC 11/7/1).
However, the document was not discussed in detail as it had been finally agreed upon by the members of
the EAP and contained a number of issues that needed to be clarified.
7.2 OIC noted the draft OSPAR report on discharges, spills and emissions from offshore oil and gas
installations in 2009 (OIC 11/7/2) and discussed it in detail.
7.3 In discussion it was noted that some Contracting Parties still had data to report or amendments to the
report and that there were a few outstanding issues that needed to be finalised, such as the status on the
validation and the quality assurance of the data.
7.4 Following discussion, OIC agreed on a written procedure to finalise the draft discharges report by
15 April 2011, including the validation and quality assurance assessment of the data.
7.5 OIC noted the draft Assessment of the OSPAR report on discharges, spills and emissions to air from
offshore installations, 2008-2009 (OIC 11/7/2 Add.1) and the report on discharges of radioactive substances
from the offshore oil and gas industry (OIC 11/7/7).
7.6
7.7
OIC agreed on the following written procedure to finalise the draft assessment report for 2008-2009:
a.
EAP members to send their comments on the draft assessment report to the convenor of
the EAP by 25 March 2011;
b.
the convenor of the EAP to send a final draft to all EAP members for comment by 8 April
2011, and hold a teleconference (18 April 2011), if necessary, with a view to finalising the
draft assessment report by 1 May 2011;
c.
the Secretariat to send the draft overview assessment to OIC HODs for adoption in a
written procedure to be concluded by 16 May 2011, with a view to adopting it for
publication by OSPAR 2011.
OIC agreed Terms of Reference for the OIC EAP for the meeting cycle 2011-2012 (Annex 7).
7.8 The Secretariat presented information on OSPAR coordination work relating to the Marine Strategy
Framework Directive. OIC consider OIC 11/7/4 Rev.1, in particular:
7.9
a.
an updated advice on Guidance to OSPAR subsidiary bodies on how to prepare advice on
approaches for the determination of GES and setting of targets and indicators;
b.
an overview of the state-of-play of work in OSPAR subsidiary bodies of relevance to OIC, with
special attention to the ongoing work in ICG-COBAM (established under BDC), HASEC and
EIHA
In discussion OIC noted the following key issues:
a.
the EC stressed the need for OIC to contribute to the setting up of targets and indicators for the
determination of GES under the MSFD;
b.
the UK made available at the meeting a review and assessment of underwater sound produced
from oil and gas activities. The UK is now undertaking a further study to plot seismic survey data
from the past five years to assess the spatial distribution of activities;
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c.
OGP offered to share information with OIC on their work on underwater noise;
d.
when taking forward work on descriptors 1 (biodiversity) and 6 (sea-floor integrity) cooperation
with ICG-COBAM would be desirable;
e.
Robin des Bois pointed out with an increase of CCS activities in the North-East Atlantic there
would be an increase of seismic activities for monitoring the CO 2 plum.
7.10 Based on discussion, OIC agreed:
a.
that OIC should play a role in taking the work forward regarding descriptors 1, 6, 8 and
11, by exchanging relevant expertise with ICG-COBAM, HASEC and EIHA;
b.
to invite its Chairman (Mr Kevin O’Carroll) to attend the next ICG-COBAM meeting, if
possible;
c.
that OIC HODs should contribute to the work on Descriptor 11 carried out under EIHA, in
particular on the questionnaire as at OIC 11/7/4 Rev.1 Add.1. OIC was reminded that
possible input should be fed through their national EIHA contacts.
7.11 The Joint Assessment Monitoring Programme 2010-2014 (JAMP) and its Implementation Plan
(OIC 11/7/5) were examined. OIC worked through each of the products within Theme O (Offshore Oil and
Gas Industry) and agreed:
a.
that sufficient arrangements are in place to deliver the products under its responsibility;
b.
that at this time, it was not necessary to carry out additional monitoring and assessment work,
beyond products specified;
c.
to invite the Secretariat to update the JAMP OIC Implementation Plan according to
progress made at OIC.
7.12 OIC welcomed an offer from Germany to prepare an initial review of monitoring and information
collection programmes on oil and other hazardous substances and radioactive substances from offshore
installations as requested in JAMP product O-6.
7.13 OIC noted the request from CoG to develop regular reporting of assessment products (‘assessment
sheets’) for discharges, emissions and spills from offshore platforms (OIC 11/7/3). OIC agreed to include
the development of a proposal for indicator-based “assessment sheets” in the ToR of the EAP for the
meeting cycle 2011-2012 (Annex 7) as this work is closely linked to the work carried out by the EAP.
7.14 OIC noted discussions in CoG on the handling of data streams related to the impact of human
activities (OIC 11/7/6). Based on experiences from the QSR 2010 and in the light of future, more regular
reporting under the JAMP 2010-2014 and the EU MSFD, HOD and CoG recognised the need to improve the
OSPAR data handling framework and identify cost efficient solutions for a consistent and streamlined
approach to the handling of various data streams across the thematic strategies. It is proposed to carry out
an assessment of the current situation and to consider how to make data more accessible, ensuring that it is
able to respond to policy questions and compatible with the different developments under MSFD.
7.15 OIC welcomed the planned review of data handling system in OSPAR and noted in an initial
discussion that:
a.
a web-based interface for the reporting formats could be useful for OIC;
b.
at their following meeting the EAP should consider the data stream under OIC and develop
related advice, if time permits.
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Agenda Item 8 – Review of existing measures and implementation reporting
OIC 11/8/1
8.1 The Netherlands presented an overview assessment of implementation reports on OSPAR
Recommendation 2003/5 to promote the use and implementation of environmental management systems by
the offshore industry (OIC 11/8/1). OIC noted that implementation reports from Denmark and Germany had
not been included in the report and encouraged both Contracting Parties to (re)-send their reports to the task
manager (Mr Leo Henriquez). OIC also noted that the implementation reports included in the report did not
all cover the same years. OIC concluded that the implementation reports should all cover the same period of
time and agreed that:
a.
outstanding implementation reports and missing information for 2010 should be
submitted to the Netherlands as soon as possible (a reminder should be circulated to
Contracting Parties following the meeting);
b.
the Netherlands should finalise the report by the end of May 2011 to be circulated to OIC
HODs for adoption.
Agenda Item 9 – Cooperation with other international organisations
OIC 11/9/1-OIC 11/9/3
Bonn Agreement
9.1 OIC noted a report from the Secretariat on the outcome of the first Ministerial Meeting of the Bonn
Agreement, Bonn. 2010, highlighting in particular the adoption of the Bonn Agreement Action Plan (BAAP)
and the Dublin Declaration, a high level political commitment for future work. The BAAP includes a number of
Actions that will require close cooperation between the Bonn Agreement and OIC in particular, as e.g. a
Bonn Agreement area-wide risk assessment.
9.2 In this context OIC also noted information on a Risk Assessment Workshop scheduled to take place
on 27-29 April 2011 in Brussels at the kind invitation of Belgium. The workshop will take into account
adequate balance of resources at the regional and sub-regional level, environmental sensitivity,
methodologies and experiences gained from other regional and national risk assessments. OIC concluded
that the work of the Bonn Agreement was directly relevant for the work of ICG-DRILLEX and the
implementation of Recommendation 2010/18 (see Agenda Item 4) and encouraged OIC delegates to explore
the possibility to take part in the risk assessment workshop and engage in the further work of the Bonn
Agreement on this issue.
9.3 The Secretariat presented the 2009 Bonn Agreement Report on Surveillance, including the Tour
d´Horizon flights Report (OIC 11/9/2). The Netherlands welcomed the report on the work of the Bonn
Agreement and considered their activities to be an effective tool for pollution control and the enforcement of
environmental regulations. The Netherlands was of the opinion that OIC should make use of this report as
part of its assessment of the OSPAR Report on discharges, spills and emissions from offshore installations.
Furthermore the Netherlands reported on the administrative and legal follow-up of oil discharges from its
installations as observed through the national aerial surveillance and Tour d’Horizon flights.
Abidjan Convention
9.4 The Secretariat presented an update of the planned Abidjan Convention, IMO (London
Convention/Protocol) and OSPAR Commission Workshop (OIC 11/9/3). OIC noted that the workshop had to
be postponed and moved to another venue due to the political situation in Ivory Coast and will now take
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place on 13-17 June 2011 in Libreville, Gabon. The main objectives of the workshop are to support capacity
building for ecosystem-based management in the Abidjan Convention area and to support follow-up work
from the COP 9 scheduled to take place in March 2011.
9.5 OIC noted that several OSPAR Contracting Parties have committed financial resources and expert
support (e.g. Norway with regard to oil and gas activities). OIC welcomed the cooperation with the Abidjan
Convention and invited the Secretariat to report back to OIC 2012.
Agenda Item 10 – Interaction with OSPAR Coordination Group
OIC 11/10/1, OIC 11/10/2
Ecosystem approach audit
10.1 OIC noted the request from CoG asking Committees to respond to an ecosystem approach audit
questionnaire (OIC 11/10/1). OIC noted the questions and welcomed an offer from the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman of OIC, with the assistance of the Secretariat, to complete the questionnaire on behalf of
OIC 2011, after the meeting. The draft response will be circulated to OIC HODs for comment by 1 April 2011.
Climate change and ocean acidification
10.2 EIHA noted advice from ICES 2010 on monitoring methodologies for ocean acidification. The advice
had been requested by ASMO based on the findings of the QSR 2010, which identified ocean acidification
monitoring and assessment as a major need. CoG 2010 sought advice as to how to incorporate monitoring
for ocean acidification and climate change into existing programmes (OIC 11/10/2). OIC concluded that
monitoring of ocean acidification and climate change had no particular relevance for OIC, and noted however
that the ICES advice could potentially be useful in the context of monitoring in the vicinity of installations
used for Carbon Capture and Storage.
Agenda Item 11 – Organisational Issues
OIC 11/11/1
Work programmes for 2011/2012
11.1 OIC agreed to recommend the draft work programme for 2011-2012 to OSPAR 2011 for adoption
(Annex 9).
Terms of Reference for OIC
11.2 OIC examined the draft Terms of Reference for OIC (OIC 11/11/1) which were agreed in principal at
OSPAR 2010. Following discussion OIC resolved remaining issues put forward in the footnotes and agreed
to recommend the draft Terms of Reference to OSPAR 2011 for adoption (Annex 8).
Future meeting arrangements
11.3 OIC agreed that the work load of the Committee would require a five day meeting for 2012, however
this should be kept under review depending on the agenda.
11.4 The Chairman thanked Ireland for kindly offering to host OIC 2012 in Dublin. He also welcomed
another offer from the UK to host OIC 2013.
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Agenda Item 12 – Any other business
12.1 The Secretariat informed OIC about a Conference on Oil Spill Risk Management that took place 79 March 2011 in Malmö, Sweden at the World Maritime University (WMU/IMO). This three day conference
sponsored by the industry, Malmö City Council and the IUCN include a range of presentations of interest to
OIC, including on OGP’s Global Industry Response Group (GIRG).
12.2 OIC noted a brief report from OGP on the work of the GIRG and welcomed the offer by OGP to
present details of their GIRG outcomes to OSPAR 2011.
Agenda Item 13 – Adoption of the summary record
13.1 The summary record was adopted as amended.
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