More Effective Measures for Environmental Control of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Norway

Abstract

Abstract The study presented herein has covered improved regulatory measures with regards to environmental management and control in the Norwegian offshore oil and gas industry. The study has focused on the efficiency of the regulatory measures with respect to: The predictability of the measures and the incentives for improvement they give to industry Cost benefit aspects and practical challenges of implementation. A model for future regulatory measures is defined which recognizes the needs for achieving environmental control as early as possible in the field development phase so that the measures become more predictable and effective. Defined needs for more formal co-operation between the authorities and the industry and further recognition of the environmental management systems in the industry are catered for in the model. The model presented in this study include: Revised and improved Regional Environmental Impact Assessments (REIA) which will simplify and improve the Field specific Environmental Impact Assessments (FEIA), and improve the predictability for future activities in the region. The introduction of an Oil Industry's Common Environmental Plan (OICEP), which will establish common environmental goals and agreed principles for reaching these goals by the total industry. An "agreement concept" between the industry and government, which is formalized with each licensee through referencing the OICEP in the discharge permits. The current CO2-tax has also been evaluated and it is proposed to replace this tax totally or partly by a CO2-fund controlled by the industry.