Environmental challenges in the Arctic
on the region for a long time. A thorough under standing of the onshore and offshore ecosystem is necessary to prevent the negative impact of oil and gas industrial activities in the region. The joint effort of operating companies and national stake holders in promoting and furthering research and impact evaluation is a vital element for sustainable industrial operations. Several oil companies have been actively fund ing research on Arctic ecosystems with a particular focus on their response to petroleum components. The Statoil ARCTOS Arctic Research programme was launched in 2005. It continued until 2011 and was followed up in 2012 with a specific focus on the Lotofen-Vesterålen area. In 2011, Statoil, in conjunction with the Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, assisted in research on an ecosystem-based model, Symbi oses, that computes and evaluates the impact of oil spills and release on the marine environment in nor thern Norway. Results from this project are being synthesised and used to create a project model. Shell is involved in multiple research projects in the Alaska, Beaufort and Chuchki seas. They include 4MP, which stands for Marine Mammal Monitoring and Mitigation Programme. This con sists of monitoring the migration routes of whales. Other programmes funded by Shell include tagging walruses and polar bears. Regulation and technology In the last decade, tough regulation from the Arctic nations has prompted the development and use of technologies adapted to the very specific climate conditions of the Arctic. For instance, the systematic use of 3D seismic exploration means operators can obtain a more precise idea of subsurface formations and the need to drill numerous exploratory wells is curbed. This, in turn, reduces the potential impact on the local environment. Wells can now be drilled horizontally – this means one platform can conduct the drilling of
several deviated wells. This is a benefit to the environment because the risk of potential dam age entailed by each platform facility required for multiple wells is eased. Ice roads also allow ade quate industrial mobility without having a nega tive and permanent impact on the environment and habitat of migratory species. Even though environmental regulations have been toughened in multiple countries, they are not homogeneous across the Arctic nations. These regulatory gaps lead to loopholes and inconsis tency. However, the Arctic region is largely poli tically stable and international agreements are currently bridging these gaps in order to reduce regulatory discrepancies for companies. Finally, regulatory transparency is vital in order to ensure long-term investments and reduce industrial and environmental risks. PEW Environment’s 2013 report, Arctic Standards, Recommendations on Oil Spill Prevention, Response and Safety in the US Arctic Ocean states that transparency also implies operating companies’ openness in regards to their activities and environmental standards. Conclusion Sustainable oil and gas activities in the Arctic must be considered as a standard for all operating companies in the region in order to ensure the protection of the Artic environment. The sustain ability of these operations can only be ensured with the help of sound, transparent and consistent regulation across the Arctic as well as the adoption by operating companies of best practices and leading tech nologies adapted to the Arctic climate. Tamar Gomez is a research analyst at CGG and a WPC Writing Fellow. www.cgg.com Arctic Oil and Gas
57