FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7th December 1995
A report commissioned by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association states that the best environmental option for decommissioned oil installations is to bring them on shore for recycling.
The report - entitled "An Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Decommissioning Options For Oil and Gas Structures in the UK North Sea"- was written by AURIS Environmental and was commissioned by UKOOA. After months of delay the report was published last week.
The report clearly states that the best option for the environment is to bring structures onshore. For the topsides of structures (living and workers quarters) the report states "...returning material to the shore for recycling and disposal would be an attractive option. It removes potentially harmful material from the sea, eliminates a source of debris, and derives some benefit from the recycling of material and saving energy." (page 10-24)
For Steel jackets (the steel structures) the "total removal and return to the shore for recycling is the best option". (page 10-24).
For concrete gravity bases - of which there are only nine out of 150 in the UK sector - the report recommends leaving the base "in situ".
The report findings contradict UKOOA's insistance that decommissioning of oil platforms should be done on a "case by case" basis. Instead, the report supports the view that the problem of decommissioning is best done from a "global North Sea view".
Sarah Burton of Greenpeace said "UKOOA have been sitting on this report since June. We now know why. This detailed report clearly contradicts UKOOA views and supports Greenpeace's position that on shore disposal of oil installation is best for the environment".
For more information, please contact the Greenpeace Press Office
on:- 0171 359 4837 or 0171 354 5100