Technology

Biological diversity

New oil and gas fields frequently lie in environmentally-sensitive areas, both Arctic and tropical. Such regions often have poorly-developed infrastructures, and work is under way to identify technology and operating methods which can protect the environment and allow the local community to make positive progress. The Group is a participant in the Energy biodiversity initiative (EBI) together with three other oil companies and five

Fishing and aquaculture ranks with oil and gas as the country's most important industries. The Group is conscious of its responsibility for life in the sea, and its environmental efforts assume that the two industries will be able to develop side by side.

environmental organizations. At the Earth Summit in Johannesburg during 2002, the EBI was awarded a prize for its efforts to preserve biological diversity. Vulnerable areas include beaches and breeding grounds for fish and birds. However, their sensitivity can vary seasonally - being at its highest during the breeding season, for instance. Some regions, such as beaches, are often very vulnerable throughout the year.

Measures: Before starting operations in a new area - exploration drilling or installing pipelines and land-based plants - The Group makes a survey of natural resources. Such studies are carried out in collaboration with external scientific institutions, and in dialogue with the authorities and environmental organizations. This work embraces the collection of new data and systematization of existing information. Details about the Norwegian continental shelf are stored in the comprehensive marine resources database (MRDB). Initial environmental investigations are followed up by environmental monitoring on offshore installations and at land-based plants.

Results: The Group has played a leading role in developing the knowledge base and methodology used to assess environmental risk relating to regular and acute emissions/discharges. The group works continuously to develop technology and procedures which can further reduce risk and environmental impacts relating to its activities. Environmental monitoring around its installations has not identified any damage to fish resources as a result of discharges, even after 30 years of operation. All the same, the group wants to be cautious and works continuously to improve knowledge about the effects of its discharges, while seeking simultaneously to reduce these.