The Dogger Bank Teesside A and B Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015

Chemicals, drilling and debris

14.—(1) All chemicals used in the construction of the authorised scheme, including any chemical agents placed within any monopile or other foundation structure void, must be selected from the list of notified chemicals approved for use by the offshore oil and gas industry under the Offshore Chemicals Regulations 2002(1) and managed in accordance with the chemical risk assessment and the marine pollution contingency plan.

(2) The undertaker must ensure that any coatings and treatments are suitable for use in the marine environment and are used in accordance with guidelines approved by the Health and Safety Executive or the Environment Agency pollution prevention guidlines. Any spillages must be reported to the MMO Marine Pollution Response Team within the timeframes specified in the marine pollution contingency plan.

(3) The undertaker must ensure that no waste concrete slurry or wash water from concrete or cement works is discharged into the marine environment and that concrete and cement mixing and washing areas are contained to prevent run-off entering the water through the freeing ports.

(4) The undertaker must ensure that any rock material used in the construction of the authorised scheme is from a recognised source, free from contaminants and containing minimal fines.

(5) The undertaker must ensure that any oil, fuel or chemical spill within the marine environment is reported to the MMO Marine Pollution Response Team within the timeframes specified in the marine pollution contingency plan.

(6) The storage, handling, transport and use of fuels, lubricants, chemicals and other substances must be undertaken so as to prevent releases into the marine environment, including bunding of 110% of the total volume of all reservoirs and containers.

(7) Where foundation drilling works are proposed, in the event that any system other than water-based mud is proposed, the MMO’s written approval in relation to the proposed disposal of any drill arisings must be obtained before the drilling commences, which may also require a marine licence.

(8) The undertaker must ensure that any debris arising from the construction of the authorised scheme or temporary works placed seaward of MHWS are removed on completion of the authorised scheme.

(9) The management of chemicals, drilling and control of debris referred to in sub-paragraphs (2) to (8) must be carried out in accordance with the chemical risk assessment and the marine pollution contingency plan.

(10) At least 10 days before commencement of the licensed activities, the undertaker must submit to the MMO an audit sheet covering all aspects of the construction of the licensed activities or any phase of them. The audit sheet must include details of—

(a) loading facilities;

(b) vessels;

(c) equipment;

(d) shipment routes;

(e) transport;

(f) working schedules; and

(g) all components and materials to be used in the construction of the authorised scheme.

(11) The audit sheet must be maintained throughout the construction of the authorised scheme (or relevant phase) and must be submitted to the MMO for review at fortnightly intervals during periods of active offshore construction.

(12) In the event that the MMO becomes aware that any of the materials on the audit sheet cannot be accounted for, it must require the undertaker to carry out a side-scan sonar survey to plot all obstructions across a reasonable area of search agreed by the MMO where construction works and related activities have been carried out. Local commercial fishing groups must be invited to send a representative to be present during the survey. Any obstructions that the MMO believes to be associated with the authorised scheme must be removed at the undertaker’s expense.

(13) As an alternative to the completion of an audit sheet, with written approval from the MMO, the undertaker may introduce a dropped object procedure. If a dropped object procedure is introduced, any dropped objects must be reported to the MMO using the dropped object procedure form within 6 hours of the undertaker becoming aware of an incident. On receipt of the dropped object procedure form, the MMO may require relevant surveys to be carried out by the undertaker (such as side-scan sonar), and the MMO may require obstructions to be removed from the seabed at the undertaker’s expense.

(14) The undertaker must agree with the MMO, before commencement of works, whether the dropped object procedure or audit sheet is to be used.

(1)

S.I. 2002/1355, amended by S.I. 2011/982.