BAY OF BENGAL BLOCKS AD2 AND A4 CORING SURVEY PHASE 2 END OF SEASON - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

Transcription

1 BAY OF BENGAL BLOCKS AD2 AND A4 CORING SURVEY PHASE 2 END OF SEASON - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Agnes Mc Laverty Safety, Environment & Social Performance Manager Shell Myanmar Energy Pte Ltd 16 th June

2 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary... 5 Introduction... 6 Activity summary... 6 Environmental compliance... 7 General... 7 Marine Mammal Mitigation and Monitoring... 8 Marine Fauna Observations... 9 Mitigating Action... 9 Marine Mammal Distribution and Occurrence... 9 Fishing activity Waste Management References Appendix Marine Fauna Sightings Table Appendix Waste Table Appendix Survey Brochure AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 3

4 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 4

5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Shell Myanmar Energy Pte. Ltd. (SMEPL) through its wholly Royal Dutch Shell owned affiliate BG Exploration and Production Myanmar Pte. Ltd., referred to as SMEPL, undertook a coring survey in the Bay of Bengal Blocks AD2 and A4 during the period 21 st January to 16 th February The survey was conducted in accordance with the AD2 and A4 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Reports (ERM, 2015) first submitted to Myanma Oil & Gas Enterprise (MOGE) July 2015 and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) April The coring survey was carried out by the vessel M/V Fugro Supporter and comprised multibeam echo sounding, sub-bottom profiling and gravity piston coring at 100 sites across blocks AD2 and A4. The activities were conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Conservation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (ECD/MONREC) and the mitigation measures set out in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed as part of the IEE studies as follows: The monitoring plan and the commitments described in Chapter 7 (Environmental Monitoring Plan) of the IEEs were implemented; The Emergency Plan described in Chapter 7.9 was in place, in the event that any environmental and social impacts were encountered due to unexpected hazards or changes in the environmental and social conditions in the project area; and Brown water and black water (drainage water) produced by the activity was handled and discharged in accordance with MARPOL 73/78 (Annex IV) and ECD requirement. The principal reportable activities from the survey are the observations of marine mammals and fisheries, as well as records of waste management. A dual role Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Environmental Scientist was onboard the survey vessel for the duration. The MMO carried out dedicated watches for marine mammals and turtles during the survey operations, including during the multi-beam acquisition lines, transits between stations and whilst stationary at piston coring locations. Visual monitoring was undertaken during daylight hours and totalled 299 hours and 44 minutes of observation watches. The monitoring was carried out in accordance with Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC, UK) Guidelines for minimising the disturbance to marine mammals from seismic surveys, August There were a total of six marine mammal sightings through visual observations totalling approximately 119 animals during the survey. All six marine mammal sightings were identified as dolphins (Delphinidae), of which three were identified as spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). The remaining three sightings were unidentified, although one sighting was potentially of pan-tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata). There were no sightings of turtles during the survey. AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 5

6 There were 34 observations of fishing vessel activity during the survey. There were no direct interactions with fishing vessels or gear during the survey. Waste management onboard was carried out in accordance with the EMP. No waste was landed in Myanmar. A grievance mechanism was in place for the duration of the survey and communicated to the fishing community by SMEPL s Community Liaison personnel by the distribution of activity brochures and in local meetings before the survey activities commenced. INTRODUCTION Shell Myanmar Energy Pte Ltd and its affiliate BG Exploration and Production Myanmar Pte. Ltd. (SMEPL) as Operator of the Bay of Bengal licence blocks A4 and AD2 undertook an environmental, geophysical and geochemical survey onboard the MV Fugro Supporter from 20 January to 16 February 2017 in offshore Blocks A-4 and AD-2, in the Bay of Bengal, offshore of Rakhine State, Myanmar. A SMEPL representative was present on the survey vessel for the duration of the survey, and was accountable for the survey s compliance with the Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) as set out in Chapter 7 of the A4 and AD2 Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) Reports. This report has been compiled by SMEPL and is submitted to Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation in accordance with the commitments made in the referenced EMP and the EIA Procedures (Government of Myanmar, 2015). ACTIVITY SUMMARY Activity Vessel Environmental, geophysical and geochemical (Coring) Survey M/S Fugro Supporter Period of Operation 20 th January to 16 th February 2017 Operations Summary Prior to seabed coring, the survey vessel ran echo sounders (single and multi beam) to map the seabed. Sub-bottom profiling was undertaken to ensure that each coring location was suitable for a sample (i.e. not rocky). Approximately 100 seabed core samples (up to 6 m in length and 10 cm in diameter) were collected across AD2 and A4. The seabed samples and slick samples are undergoing detailed geochemical and geological analysis in onshore laboratories which will provide new data on the hydrocarbon potential of the blocks and environmental baseline data. Seabed imaging in the form of underwater video transects and stills photography was carried out in a number of locations across the area of survey. Area of operation See Figure 1 Table 1 Survey Activity AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 6

7 Figure 1 Survey Area A4 and AD2 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE General The survey was conducted in compliance with the mitigation measures set out in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed as part of the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) (ERM, 2015) Study conducted for the survey. A summary of this is set out below: The monitoring plan and the commitments described in Chapter 7 EMP of the IEE (ERM, 2015) were implemented; The Emergency Response Plan described in Chapter 7.9 was in place, in the event that any environmental and social impacts were encountered due to unexpected hazards or changes in the environmental and social conditions in the project area; and Brown water and black water (drainage water) produced by the activity was handled and discharged in accordance with MARPOL 73/78 (Annex IV). AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 7

8 In addition: There was no spillage of oil or loss of contaminants overboard for the duration of the survey; The crew followed standard environmental procedures to minimise the effects on marine life and the environment; No waste was disposed of into the sea, with the exception of macerated food scraps and then only outside of the MARPOL (marine pollution) regulated areas; On the survey vessel, waste was segregated by type, the majority was disposed of via the ship incinerator, and the remainder stored onboard for later recycling or disposal ashore by a suitably licensed waste handling agent; No waste was landed in Myanmar; There were no difficulties encountered in implementing the EMP; There were no non-compliances with the EMP; There were no accidents or incidents relating to occupational safety; There were no accidents relating to the environment; and There were no accidents or incidents relating to public (community) health and safety. A grievance mechanism was in place for the duration of the survey and communicated before the survey started to the local fishing community. This communication was undertaken through brochures (attached in Appendix 3) and meetings between Shell s Community Liaison Officers and the General Administration Department, Department of Fisheries, the Police Force, and representatives of the fishing communities in the Townships of Man Aung, Gwa, Thandwe, Ramree and Kyauk Phyu. Marine Mammal Mitigation and Monitoring Under the JNCC guidelines (JNCC, 2010), operators must check for the presence of marine mammals in the vicinity of a seismic source vessel for at least 30 minutes (60 minutes in waters greater than 200 m depth) prior to starting airguns. Surveying should be delayed by at least 20 minutes if marine mammals are present within 500 m of the sound source, to allow animals time to move out of the area. To detect and identify marine mammals during the survey, operators employ trained marine mammal observers (MMOs) to carry out observations and to provide mitigation advice. Given the nature of the sound sources used during this coring survey, no shut-downs were required. Instead, in keeping with current best practice, a marine mammal observer (MMO) was provided to observe, identify and record all marine mammal and turtle activity within the area of the survey vessel to record any sighting, and to undertake a soft start procedure for the use of the Sub Bottom Profiler SBP, Single Beam Echo Sounder SBES and Multi Beam Echos Sounder MBES, at start-up and after any cessation of transmission during survey operations. The aim was to reduce the potential risk of injury and disturbance from the shallow geophysical survey to any marine mammals in the area. If marine mammals were detected within 500 m of the vessel prior to transmission, the soft start would be delayed until their passage, or until the vessel had moved out of the area. A 20-minute delay would be undertaken from the time of last sighting, before commencement of SBP, SBES and MBES operations. Shell had also requested that any marine mammal sighting of significance should be reported to the client AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 8

9 representative and the party chief, who would review the situation and decide whether the sighting warranted a cessation of any operations that were underway at the time. Marine Fauna Observations Dedicated marine fauna observations were conducted from the bridge (9 m above sea level) during daylight hours and the relevant recording forms were completed. The time, position and weather conditions were recorded. The primary observation technique used to spot marine mammals and turtles was to scan the sea in a 180 plane ahead of the vessel, as well as frequent scanning of the 180 behind the vessel using the naked eye for close distance sightings and using Leica Trailfinder 10 magnification binoculars for greater distance sightings. Areas of interest on the water, such as waves going against the prevailing direction, white water during calm periods, dark shapes, splashes and bird activity, were used as visual cues. When marine fauna were observed, the distance to the sighting was estimated using a range finder stick. Mitigating Action No mitigation action was required during the survey. Marine Mammal Distribution and Occurrence During the survey (21 January to 16 February 2017) there were a total of six marine mammal sightings made during visual observations (see Map in Figure 2 below). Figure 2: Marine Mammal Sightings AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 9

10 All six marine mammal sightings were identified as dolphins (Delphinidae), of which three were identified as spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). The remaining three sightings were unidentified, although one sighting was potentially of pan-tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata). There were no sightings of turtles during this survey. Table 2 below summarises the marine mammal sightings by species. Species Number of Sightings Number of Animals Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) 3 ~111 Unidentifiable dolphin 2 4 Unidentifiable dolphin (Possibly Pan-tropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata) 1 4 Totals 6 Approx. 119 Table 2 Summary of Marine Mammal Sightings by Species Fishing activity There were 34 observations of fishing vessels (Figure 3) during the survey, with the remaining 10 observations recorded as large commercial vessels. Most of the fishing vessels seen were fishing junkers that were trawling nets or operating with buoyed drift nets. Some of the observations were of multiple fishing vessels fishing in close proximity to each other or clustered around a general area. There were no direct interactions with fishing vessels or gear during the survey. Figure 3: Fishing vessels AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 10

11 Waste Management The total waste generated for the Project is presented in Appendix 2. There were no spills to the sea, no waste disposed of in the sea (except that permitted under MARPOL such as organic food waste). Waste which could not be incinerated remained on-board to be disposed of at licensed waste facilities in Singapore. Small volumes of hazardous wastes were produced (e.g. waste oil, batteries etc.) and were stored on board for disposal at registered facilities in Singapore. REFERENCES ERM (2015) Initial Environmental Examination A4 and AD2. Government of Myanmar, Myanmar Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures. MOECAF Notification 616 of 29 December JNCC (2010). Guidelines for minimising the risk of disturbance and injury to marine mammals from seismic surveys. Joint Nature Conservation Council. AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 11

12 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 12

13 APPENDIX 1 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 13

14 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 14

15 Marine Fauna Sightings Table Sighting No. Date Start Time End Time Marine Mammal Species 1 22 Jan 02:06 02:06 Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Description Very brief encounter as vessel turned away rom it. Saw dark cape area and very pale sides only. Number of Individuals Activity/Behaviour 1 Milling and transiting towards our bow at a point where the vessel turned away from the animals, resulting in a very brief observation Jan 07:09 07:09 Delphinidae No details observed. 1 Two, short low jumps, small splash and disappeared. Closest Distance from Source[m] Source Activity 30 SBP/MBES None 200 SBP/MBES None Mitigation Required 3 24 Jan 01:51 01:52 Delphinidae Appeared small and dark coloured Jan 11:04 11:09 Delphinidae (Possibly Pan-tropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata) 5 5 Feb 01:05 01:09 Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) 6 11 Feb 01:06 02:10 Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Small, seemed 1.5 to 2.0 m at most. Appeared all grey, maybe slightly lighter towards the underside. Not particularly large dorsal fin but one unclear image appeared to show slight sickle shape. Medium size. Large white flanks seen occasionally. Notable sized dorsal fin given distance away. Medium size. Large dorsal fin. Long beak. Various dorsal fin forms, slightly falcate and large and triangular present. Grey cape and paler grey side seen. Dark stripe from eye to fin seen. 3 Very brief encounter. Two sets of short low jumps, and disappeared 4 Small amount of very low bow riding, only back arched and visible, no real jumping. Criss-crossing around port bow, before heading away. Sunset, so light poor. 10 Some porpoising. Large splashes occasionally, acrobatic activity. Activity photographed. Group spread out but heading north. 100 Various pods from different directions transiting to a group meeting point around 2 km away. Porpoising, acrobatics, milling. 500 SBP/MBES None 40 SBP/MBES None 2000 SBP/MBES None 500 SBP/MBES None 15

16 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 16

17 APPENDIX 2 17

18 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 18

19 Waste Table AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 19

20 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 20

21 APPENDIX 3 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 21

22 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 22

23 2017 Survey Brochure 23

24 AD2 & A4 Monitoring Report 24