Comprehensive Pre-Decommissioning Surveys for North Sea Oil and Gas Field
Project summary APEM was contracted to conduct environmental aspects of pre-decommissioning surveys for a major oil and gas field, located...
APEM Group - Case Study
Project Summary
APEM was contracted to analyse samples from comprehensive environmental surveys for a gas field located 300 km northwest of Darwin, Australia. The project involved detailed analysis of plankton and macrobenthic samples to support the development of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel capable of processing up to 900 million cubic feet of gas per day. The benthic analysis provided essential insights into the health and biodiversity of the seabed ecosystem, which was crucial for ensuring the environmental sustainability of the gas field development.
Project ContextÂ
The gas field, discovered 35 years ago, has been managed by various companies over the years. Since 2017, it has been operated by an Italian petroleum company. APEM was tasked with analysing samples collected from the field to assess the environmental conditions.
Key Stats
Samples analysed:
- 20 macrobenthic samples.
- 2 zooplankton samples.
- 18 phytoplankton samples.
Taxa identified:
- Over 600 different taxa.
- More than 420,000 individual organisms counted.
Laboratories involved:
- Phytoplankton samples processed in APEM’s United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited laboratory.
- Zooplankton and macrobenthic samples processed in APEM’s specialised marine laboratory.
Planktonellia sol
Dictyocha fibula
Project Challenges
The project required the analysis of many samples within a tight timeframe. The interdisciplinary nature of the project, involving both zooplankton and phytoplankton as well as benthic samples, from a comparatively understudied region, added to the complexity. APEM’s ability to quickly and accurately identify a wide range of taxa, including potential new species, was critical to the project’s success.
Solution
APEM applied extensive experience and industry-leading analytical methods to analyse the samples to high quality standards. The analysis revealed a diverse range of taxa, with significant findings in both the plankton and benthic samples.
- Phytoplankton analysis: Identified 151 taxa, including 97 diatom taxa and 49 dinoflagellate taxa, with a total of more than 317,800 individual cells counted.
- Zooplankton analysis: Identified 102 taxa with a total of more than 104,060 individuals.
- Macrobenthic analysis: Identified 351 taxa, with the most abundant phyla being Annelida, Crustacea, and Mollusca.
Additional Support
This case study highlights APEM Group’s expertise in analysing samples from diverse habitats and geographical regions, delivering high-quality results within tight deadlines, and demonstrating unwavering commitment to excellence and reliability.
Transferable Experience to Offshore Wind Market in Australia
APEM Group’s extensive experience in conducting environmental surveys for marine projects is highly transferable to the emerging offshore wind market in Australia. The company’s expertise in marine surveys, environmental impact assessments (EIA), and data analysis is invaluable for offshore wind developments, which require robust environmental data to ensure regulatory compliance and minimise ecological impact.
APEM Group has strategically expanded into Australia, establishing a permanent presence in Melbourne to support the Asia Pacific region. The group is dedicated to supporting the advent of Australia’s offshore wind sector, bringing over 30 years of global environmental consulting experience.
The methodologies and insights gained from this gas field project can be applied to offshore wind projects, ensuring accurate and efficient data collection and analysis.
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