Date post: | 13-May-2015 |
Category: |
Business |
Upload: | informa-australia |
View: | 332 times |
Download: | 6 times |
21 August 2014
Dr Brenton Chatfield, Environmental Manager
Engagement Through
Collaboration
Overview
Opportunity: Leveraging collaboration and meaningful consultation to shape project success
Case Studies: Collaborating to build knowledge and establish shared aims between the stakeholders and petroleum operators
Environment Group for the Browse Basin (EGBB)
Bonaparte Fisheries Group (BFG)
2
Offshore Environmental Approvals
3
Acceptability
Approvals
Consultation
Collaboration
Offshore Environmental Approvals an Overview
Key Legislation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act) and supporting environment regulations
Now includes assessment of Matters of National Environmental Significance (Part 3 of EPBC Act 1999)
Offshore Project Proposal (OPP)
Regulator: National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)
4
Offshore Environmental Approvals - Requirements
Project Description
• Identify and describe nature and scale of activities/aspects
• ‘Whole of lifecycle’ basis
Existing Environment
• Baseline studies program
• Targeted stakeholder engagement
Risk/Impact Assessment
• Identify and evaluate impacts and risks – real & perceived
• Informed by project description and understanding of existing environment
Management Framework
• Appropriate measures and controls
• Required to demonstrate environmental impacts and risks managed to an acceptable level
5
Underpinned by active consultation
Consultation – NOPSEMA Requirements
5 key principles
1. Communication: Open and effective
2. Transparency: Information/ feedback provided openly
3. Collaboration: Mutually beneficial outcomes
4. Inclusiveness: Early and ongoing consultation
5. Integrity: Foster trust and respect
6
Consultation – ‘Relevant persons’
OPGGS (Environment) Regulation 11A requires consultation with government organisations, persons and organisations whose functions, interests or activities may be affected by the project/activity
NOPSEMA information paper (June 2014) provides further guidance:
The concept of a ‘relevant person’
Interpreted broadly
Not limited to a certain category or group
The relevancy or otherwise
Determined on a case-by-case basis
Requires consideration of nature and extent of possible impacts
Those seeking consultation must demonstrate how they may be affected
7
Consultation – NOPSEMA Requirements
Broad groups that may be considered ‘relevant persons’
Relevant persons must be provided with
Sufficient information
Reasonable consultation period Influenced by ‘functions, interests and activities’; nature, scale, extent and complexity
of the project/activity
8
Fishing Industry Representatives
Research Organisations
Government Agencies/ Regulators
Public Groups
Industry Non-government
organisations
Existing Environment – Desktop and Baseline Studies
Gap analysis and literature review
Metocean conditions
Underwater noise
Water and sediment quality
Preliminary modelling: routine discharges and spills
9
Existing Environment – Baseline Studies
Reef communities and coral spawning
Benthic habitat and communities
10
Consultation – A Collaborative Process
Recent shifts in regulatory drivers and approach
Encourages consultative process
Mutually beneficial
Inform relevant stakeholders – bring them on the journey
Stakeholders provide input to the process – give them a voice
Targeted engagement can inform/frame issues and gaps
Example
Technical expert assist to identify/evaluate impacts/risks
11
Pygmy blue whales
Case Study: Environment Group for the Browse Basin
Industry collaboration led by Shell in joint partnership with ConocoPhillips, INPEX and Woodside
Objective: Operational & Scientific Monitoring Program (OSMP) for Browse Basin
Collaborative consultation
Expert panel engaged to assist in defining/characterising existing environment and validating OSMP framework
Fit for purpose – scientifically rigorous but practical and realistic
Sensitive receptors workshops to identify/map key areas of importance and identify gaps
12
Case Study: Environment Group of the Browse Basin
Outcomes
Comprehensive understanding beyond published literature
Scientifically informed, regionally relevant, practical/robust OSMP
Provide confidence to regulators
13
Case Study: Bonaparte Fish Group
Opportunity for collaborative fisheries research
Oil & gas operators, government, fishing industry and researchers
Objective: Contribute to scientific understanding of fish distributions and stock structure in the Bonaparte Basin & Timor Sea
Collaborative approach
ConocoPhillips facilitating a stakeholder working group
Identify mutually beneficial research priority areas
Identify areas for financial and in-kind support for greatest long term contribution
14
Case Study: Bonaparte Fish Group
Anticipated outcomes Collaborative investment Improved science for future oil and gas operator approvals Improved science for fisheries management Basis of further research activities
15
Case Study: Bonaparte Fish Group
Current Status
In principle agreement reached with stakeholders to commence studies
Working with stakeholders to further define scope, timeframes and contractual arrangements – staged approach
Working with other operators to confirm their participation
16
Summary: Benefits of a Collaborative Approach
Genuine stakeholder engagement
Develop relationships that foster mutually beneficial outcomes
Diversified base of information and understanding
Minimise potential surprises
Earlier identification of potential stakeholder issues
Manage risks that may delay project development
Regulatory confidence
Consultation beyond minimum required standards
Thorough environmental impact assessment addressing all key issues
Collaboration to shape project success
17
Follow ConocoPhillips at:
Collaborative Approach – Practical Steps
The BFG conceived following consultation with NT DPIF
Identified relevant stakeholders and potential interested parties
Identified potential industry participants
Invitation to participate in the BFG
Outlining purpose and objectives
Outline current research and gaps in knowledge
Convened a workshop in Darwin to:
Develop understanding of areas of common interest
Identify potential projects and research opportunities
Project governance, roles and responsibilities – Steering Committee
Subsequent workshops
Collaborate with stakeholders to define priorities
Assign ownership of different scopes to collaborators
Evaluate level of contribution collaborators can provide
19