Original: English only
OSPAR CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE NORTH-EAST ATLANTIC
MEETING OF THE OFFSHORE INDUSTRY COMMITTEE (OIC)
DUBLIN: 15-19 MARCH 2004
Marine Protected Areas – the Oil and Gas Context
Presented by WWF
Background
1. OIC 2004 is going to address adverse effects of offshore activities other than pollution, including the exploration for oil and gas, and placement of structures, cables and pipelines. As this work is carried out in the context of the Biodiversity Strategy and in co-operation with BDC, the Bremen Ministerial commitment and related OSPAR instrument on the establishment of a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) is an essential aspect of it.
2. MPAs and extractive industries are closely related, however in the past they have been treated as separate issues. This perception is beginning to change due to the fact that increasingly exploitation and production is occurring in ecologically sensitive areas. Additionally awareness of biodiversity loss is growing and these issues are becoming more and more part of the public psyche.
3. At the same time the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and related governance issues are becoming increasingly important. By extension protected area issues are related to this agenda and there is growing pressure to keep oil and gas activities out of sensitive and protected areas.
4. The Amman Declaration[1] calls for companies and governments to prohibit mining exploration and extraction in IUCN category I-IV protected areas (and category I-V marine sites); introduce strict controls over such activities in category V and VI protected areas; apply strict standards governing changes of protected area boundaries to accommodate mining activities; require EIAs to ensure that mining activities outside protected areas do not negatively impact them. Ensure that all concerned adopt best practice to guide every stage of the extractive process.
5. At World Parks Congress in Durban in South Africa, Shell made a commitment to keep out of World Heritage Sites. Earlier in 2003, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) announced a similar policy. However, regarding the fundamental issue of making commitments to stay out of IUCN Classification I – IV land areas and I-V marine the discussion still continues.
6. Although most responsible oil and gas companies agree, in principle, that there are risks associated with significant alteration of sensitive areas, and that there are some areas where exploration and extraction is inconsistent with the protection of ecological, cultural and landscape values, reservations have been voiced as to whether such areas necessarily coincide with IUCN Protected Areas Management categories I-IV. They point to the existence of new technologies and practices that allow companies to minimise their footprint and argue that restricting extractive industries from accessing these areas is also no guarantee of protection, as there are many other threats.
7. However,
§ it is doubtful that in any or all the cases the footprint of operations is indeed small and that recent eco-toxicological studies show that widespread impacts occur including cumulative impacts with other activities, even in the most technically advanced and highly regulated fields.
§ in most cases exploitation and production activities have a chronic footprint, no matter how advanced the technology.
§ there are sufficient fields not covered by MPAs (including future nominations/designations) and where technology is available (e.g. directional drilling) that allows for exploitation to continue without endangering MPAs.
8. In view of this, and other developments within the OSPAR Maritime Area, such as the decision of the Norwegian Government to not allow oil exploration in the Lofoten Islands (see WWF press releases at the Annex) and the UK High Court ruling, that the Habitats Directive must be applied to the continental shelf and superjacent waters –
WWF would like to support the co-operation between BDC and OIC and urge the formulation of an OSPAR measure, which would address the impact (not including pollution) of exploration and production of oil and gas on the marine environment. In particular and in light of the proposed network of MPAs in the OSPAR Maritime Area, WWF would also like to highlight the importance of providing adequate protection for such areas and would like to solicit the support of OIC and its members regarding this.
9. In particular WWF would urge the OIC to consider the following,
· ensure that ecologically representative MPA sites and networks are nominated even if the sites are of commercial interest.
· ensure that BDC/OIC produce a review report on the impacts of oil and gas activities on the marine environment in conjunction with the proposed OSPAR measure on the impact (not including pollution) of exploration and production of oil and gas on the marine environment.
· ensure that OIC provides BDC with the required information regarding licensing areas, permanent installations and cables/pipelines etc, consummate with the questionnaire provided by Norway, (BDC 04/05/19-E*) and using this information to produce a map highlighting areas of conflict: high ecological importance and intensive human use and define using these data the basis for possible oil & gas-free zones (cf. Marine Update on marine spatial planning at the Annex).
Action requested
10. OIC is invited to take note of this information and consider WWF's proposals when working towards joint BDC/OIC conclusions and a draft OSPAR measure with regard to the assessment and control of the environmental impact (other than pollution) from exploration and production of oil and gas in the marine environment.
Annex
Content
WWF International press release - 15 December 2003
Norway’s decision to put nature before oil is a turning point in history of oil development in sensitive areas
WWF International press release - 21 November 2003
Norwegian paradise in danger as government secretly decides on oil drilling plans
WWF-UK & The Wildlife Trusts Joint Marine Programme – Marine Update January 2004
Marine Spatial Planning: a down to earth view of managing activities in the marine environment for the benefit of humans and wildlife
2
OSPAR Commission OIC 04/5 -E
[1] 2000 2nd IUCN World Conservation Congress (Recommendation 2.82)