RIASSUNTO
Abstract
This paper aims to up-date some of the misconceptions concerning the impact of shallow-water seismic operations. It will also provide an insight into the planning, organization and special technical features implemented for operations in an environmentally sensitive area and a number of key lessons learnt.
The North European Wadden Sea coast, bordering Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands is a region of extremely high environmental and political sensitivity. The successful development of the Mittelplate oil field in a National Park off the west coast of Germany, provides an excellent example that oil exploration and production can be tailored to the demands of such sensitive and protected areas.
During 1996 and 1997, exploration Seismic was carried out in the tidal flats and saltmarshes of the Wadden Sea National Park. This was the first survey of its kind in Germany and attracted a high degree of interest from both public and industry alike. The physical and environmental constraints of the location called for specially designed equipment and a number of unique planning and organizational features to be implemented in the surveys. Extensive monitoring was carried out above and below water to determine the effect of the Seismic activities on the marine life. The Survey has provided the opening company and the authorities with new information for use in future Seismic programmes, not only in Germany but also in other protected coastal areas around the world.