Niobe Exploration Well Environmental Statement DECC Reference Number: W/4171/2014 November 2014 Version A Niobe Exploration Well Environmental Statement W/4171/2014 INFORMATION PAGE Project name Niobe Exploration Well (12/27-KA) DECC Project Reference W/4171/2014 Type of project Exploration drilling Undertaker names Suncor Energy UK Ltd Suncor Energy UK Ltd 28B Albyn Place Address Aberdeen AB10 1YL Suncor Energy UK Ltd 49.5% Licensees/ Owners Working Interest Trap Oil Ltd. 28.0% Norwegian Energy Company UK Limited 22.5% To drill an exploration well in Block 12/27 in order to fully evaluate the Niobe prospect for hydrocarbon-bearing potential. The Niobe Exploration Well will be drilled during Q2/ Q3 2015 from a jack-up drilling rig. The primary objectives of the Niobe Exploration Well are to: Short description Establish the presence of productive, hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs in the primary target, Upper Jurassic Burns sandstones. Determine the economic viability of the hydrocarbon volumes entrapped within the structure through the identification of reservoir properties of the primary target. Anticipated commencement of works Q2 2015 Date and reference number of any earlier Environmental Statements/ Not Applicable Permits related to this project Significant environmental impacts None identified Statement prepared by BMT Cordah Limited and Suncor Energy UK Ltd BMT Cordah Limited i November 2014 Niobe Exploration Well Environmental Statement W/4171/2014 Intentionally blank page BMT Cordah Limited ii November 2014 Niobe Exploration Well Environmental Statement W/4171/2014 CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS vii GLOSSARY xi NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY xv 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose of the Environmental Statement ...................................................... 1-2 1.2 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ...................................................... 1-3 1.3 Structure of the Environmental Statement ..................................................... 1-4 2.0 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 2-1 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Background and Location .............................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Project Options ............................................................................................. 3-1 3.3 Drilling schedule ............................................................................................ 3-4 3.4 Drilling Rig ..................................................................................................... 3-4 3.5 Well Design ................................................................................................... 3-6 3.6 Mud System .................................................................................................. 3-8 3.7 Drill Cuttings .................................................................................................. 3-8 3.8 Cement System............................................................................................. 3-9 3.9 Well Control .................................................................................................. 3-9 3.10 Well Logging 3-10 3.11 Well Abandonment 3-10 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND DESCRIPTION .................................... 4-1 4.1 Data Sources ................................................................................................ 4-2 4.2 Physical Environment .................................................................................... 4-4 4.3 Biological Environment .................................................................................4-16 4.4 Offshore Conservation Areas .......................................................................4-33 4.5 Socioeconomic Environment ........................................................................4-38 4.6 Summary of Environmental Sensitivities ......................................................4-50 5.0 CONSULTATIONS ...................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Purpose and Method ..................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Concerns and Issues .................................................................................... 5-1 BMT Cordah Limited iii November 2014 Niobe Exploration Well Environmental Statement W/4171/2014 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT ................................................... 6-1 6.1 Risk Assessment Methodology ..................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Risk Assessment Findings ............................................................................ 6-4 6.3 Summary of Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 6-5 7.0 INTERACTION WITH OTHER USERS OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................... 7-1 7.1 Regulatory Context ....................................................................................... 7-1 7.2 Basis for Assessment .................................................................................... 7-1 7.3 Sources of Potential Impacts ......................................................................... 7-1 7.4 Impact on Sensitive Receptors ...................................................................... 7-2 7.5 Cumulative and Transboundary Effects ......................................................... 7-4 7.6 Consultee Concerns ...................................................................................... 7-4 7.7 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 7-5 7.8 Conclusions .................................................................................................. 7-5 8.0 LOCALISED DISTURBANCE TO THE SEABED ARISING FROM THE DRILLING AND INSTALLATION ACTIVITIES ........................................... 8-1 8.1 Regulatory Context ....................................................................................... 8-1 8.2 Basis for Assessment .................................................................................... 8-1 8.3 Sources of Potential Impact .......................................................................... 8-1 8.4 Impact on Sensitive Receptors ...................................................................... 8-2 8.5 Cumulative and Transboundary Impacts ....................................................... 8-4 8.6 Consultee Concerns ...................................................................................... 8-4 8.7 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 8-4 8.8 Conclusions .................................................................................................. 8-5 9.0 ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS ....................................................................... 9-1 9.1 Regulatory Context ....................................................................................... 9-1 9.2 Basis for Assessment .................................................................................... 9-1 9.3 Sources of Potential Impact .......................................................................... 9-2 9.4 Impact on Sensitive Receptors ...................................................................... 9-4 9.5 Cumulative and Transboundary Impacts ....................................................... 9-7 9.6 Consultee Concerns ...................................................................................... 9-7 9.7 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 9-8 9.8 Conclusions .................................................................................................. 9-8 BMT Cordah Limited iv November 2014 Niobe Exploration Well Environmental Statement W/4171/2014 10.0 DISCHARGES TO SEA ............................................................................. 10-1 10.1 Regulatory Context ......................................................................................10-1 10.2 Basis of Assessment ....................................................................................10-1 10.3 Sources of Potential Impact .........................................................................10-1 10.4 Impact on Sensitive Receptors .....................................................................10-3 10.5 Cumulative and Transboundary Impacts ......................................................10-5 10.6 Consultee Concerns .....................................................................................10-5 10.7 Mitigation Measures .....................................................................................10-6 10.8 Conclusions .................................................................................................10-6 11.0 PHYSICAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VESSELS AND SEALS ............. 11-1 11.1 Regulatory Context ......................................................................................11-1 11.2 Basis for Assessment ...................................................................................11-1 11.3 Sources of Potential Impact .........................................................................11-1