RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Environmental impact assessment has traditionally been based around a review and assessment of identified impacts and issues. Strategies to mitigate, control and monitor these impacts are also addressed at this stage.
BHP Petroleum has employed a risk based, hazard identification (HAZID) approach at the start of projects to ensure that actual and potential environmental impacts and concerns are identified at the conceptual stage. The benefit of using a HAZID approach is that impacts are identified in a systematic manner through a brainstorming session comprising a multi-disciplinary team. It is at this session that the source of the impacts are identified and methods for their prevention, control and/ or mitigation are discussed. An environmental risk matrix has been developed for use in this exercise to prioritize risks in order of their likelihood, and of their impact upon the environment and the Company's business.
This is a valuable exercise which allows the environmental impact assessment process to effectively and comprehensively address all environmental risks. It has the added advantage that it allows all members of a project team to get up to speed with the environmental issues and ensure that methods for prevention and control are addressed during project design. It also takes into account the local environmental sensitivities in all phases of the project, from site selection to construction, operation and decommissioning.
This paper examines this approach in the context of a petroleum development in an offshore marine environment which includes localized complex ecosystems.