The Risk Of Introduction Of Alien Species At The Goliat Field In The Barents Sea And Risk Reducing Measures

Abstract

Abstract The International convention for the control and management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments was adopted by IMO in 2004, with the main aim to reduce the probability of dispersion of hazardous non indigenous species. Implementation of ballast water treatment systems is mandatory for all international vessels at the latest by 2016. The Norwegian government decided on ratifying the ballast water convention in 2006. As part of the field development at Goliat in the Barents Sea, a study was performed in 2008 (DNV, 2008) to assess the consequences of the convention and evaluate the risk of introduction of non indigenous species from ballast water and fouling with two alternative development concepts: Offshore processing, storage and offloading of crude oil, where the oil is exported by tankers Offshore processing with export on-shore by pipelines, prior to shipment with tankers or Subsea production with transportation through pipelines to processing facilities on-shore, prior to shipment with tankers The evaluation of the probability of introduction of non indigenous species was based on identification of relevant organisms’ dispersion success to the Goliat field depending on: Ecology of relevant species Environmental conditions in the donor- and the recipient area, as well as inside the ballast tanks Physical properties in the recipient area Different treatment of ballast water Alien species already established in the southern part of Norway, will most likely have a natural northward dispersion; however, a more rapid development is anticipated with increased traffic. The offshore concept has the lowest risk for introduction and establishment of alien species. The paper describes or highlights: consequences of the International convention for the control and management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments approach to evaluate the risk of introduction of alien species proposals to reduce the risk of introduction for the analysed concepts