A Model for Environmental Risk Assessment for the construction of Oil/Gas Processing Facilities in Coastal Areas

Abstract

Abstract An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) Model is adopted to evaluate the environmental risk associated with the construction of Oil/Gas Processing Facilities in coastal areas. The Model was originally developed by El Sherbiny et al (2006) addressing the construction of tourism projects along the Red Sea coast of Egypt. The model is based on a specially designed network diagram that describes the intermediate links between construction activities and existing ecological/marine receptors. It was designed using a spreadsheet program as a series of hyperlinked spreadsheets navigated by the user. The proposed model estimates the risk of causing environmental harm to existing ecological receptors, while considering the cumulative effect of different stressors and impacts. It combines Risk Assessment (RA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) into a unified analysis process. The purpose of such process is neither to produce the most quantitatively sophisticated estimate of a particular risk nor to provide the most comprehensive list of possible environmental impacts. It rather aims at producing a rational and reasonable tool that aids in decision-making. The model helps in bridging the gap between the acknowledged environmental impacts and generated risk on existing marine/coastal ecological receptors. It assists the project team, in collaboration with the EIA team, in the analysis of different design alternatives and mitigation measures. Based on the model results, activities responsible for high-risk levels could be tracked backwards for better management, where the effect of different mitigation measures could be investigated. Although environmental impacts associated with Oil/Gas projects are generally known, the extent to which ecological/marine receptors are disturbed is still vague. The proposed model contributes significantly to bridging this gap by quantifying associated environmental risk.