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Ice, Oil, And Birds

May 28, 2004

Russia is ready to implement a unique project to develop an oil field on the Arctic shelf. Ina world first drilling for crude oil will take place within the area covered by ice for most time of year. The oil will be carried away by ice-breakers. Reports on the estimated impact of the oil field developing on the environment were presented to the public in the Gubkin State Academy of Oil and Gas in Moscow. The presentations were attended by petroleum engineers and ecologists.

The oil field called Prirazlomnoe is located in the Barents Sea on the shelf of Pechora Bay, 60 km from village Varandei. Its discovery dates back to 1989. Working on its development project has begun only in 2002. It is planned to drill 55 wells, and the oil production is estimated at 7.5 million ton a year. Within a cost-effective period of 20 years, explorers expect to obtain 74.6 million ton of crude oil. The preparatory period is coming to an end, and now it is time for expert assessments, particularly, ecological.

The Environmental Consultancy Company "Frecom" responsible for comprehensive assessment of ecological consequences of developing the Prirazlomnoe oil field has presented to the ecological society the preliminary conclusion of their experts. Specialists from the Oil-and-Gas Production Enterprise "Sevmorneftegaz" working on the project have certainly made their best in providing ecological safety. The team is particularly proud to introduce the "zero discharge principle" that implies that oil production wastes will be pumped through special wells to a safe depth, and casing-head gas will be used in driving gas turbines and heating the premises. Therefore, the development of the oil field will cause no pollution at all.

The public has found satisfactory all measures designed for preventing oil spill. However, as is proved by practice, realities do not always coincide with plans. Hence, ecologists are concerned about emergency measures the Company will take in case of an oil accident.

The Pechora Bay of the Barents Sea is a famous habitat of sea birds. It is an important point in the migration route of birds travelling to their breeding grounds in Russian tundra, from European North to West Siberia, and back to wintering areas in West Europe. The safety of migrating birds is a great concern of ornithologists in not only Russia, but all Europe. Birds resting on the water might get into spilled oil, and what will happen to them? In the West Europe, there are special teams equipped and trained for rescuing the poor birds and cleaning them from oil. And what Russians will do, given that no teams of such kind exist in this country?

Ornithologists suggest the following. Firstly, a satellite monitoring system should be arranged for the Barents Sea region to control all points of oil spill risk, like done in the West. Without such a monitoring, a perpetrator of an oil leakage can easily evade responsibility. That would even worsen the accident consequences. Secondly, it is necessary to get ready to rescuing oil-stained birds. And thirdly, petroleum engineers, transport companies, and marine reserves staffs should co-operate in case of such a catastrophe.

Unfortunately, there were no representatives of other biological sciences in the audience. And nobody said a word in defence of fish, whales, and seals. However, there is still possible to submit proposals about their protection, which will be considered and included into the draft project to be examined by the state ecological expertise. The environmental impact assessment materials are still available for another month at the Frecom Company office in Moscow and their web-site www.frecom.ru.

Informnauka (Informscience) Agency