Chemicals, drilling and debris
8.—(1) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO all chemicals used in the construction of the authorised scheme 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 (as amended).
(2) All protective coatings and paints must be suitable for use in the marine environment and, where necessary, approved by the Health and Safety Executive. The use of such coatings must accord with best environmental practice.
(3) 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.
(4) 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 arisings must be obtained before the drilling commences, which may also require a marine licence.
(5) The undertakers must ensure that no waste concrete slurry or wash water from concrete or cement works are discharged into the marine environment. Concrete and cement mixing and washing areas should be contained to prevent run off entering the water through the freeing ports.
(6) The undertakers must ensure that any oil, fuel or chemical spill within the marine environment is reported to the MMO, Marine Pollution Response Team.
(7) The undertakers must ensure that any waste and/or debris arising from the construction of the authorised scheme or from equipment or temporary works placed below MHWS are removed on completion of the authorised scheme.
(8) At least 10 days prior to the commencement of the licensed activities the undertakers must submit and obtain the MMO’s approval of an audit sheet covering all aspects of the construction of the authorised scheme. The audit sheet must include details of—
(a)loading facilities;
(b)vessels;
(c)equipment;
(d)shipment routes;
(e)working schedules; and
(f)all components and materials to be used in the construction of the authorised scheme.
(9) The audit sheet must be maintained throughout the construction of the authorised scheme and any changes notified immediately in writing to the MMO.
(10) In the event that the MMO becomes aware that any of the materials on the audit sheet cannot be accounted for it shall require the undertakers to carry out a side scan sonar survey to plot all obstructions across the relevant area(s) within the offshore Order limits where construction works and related activities have been carried out. In the event that the missing material is not located, the survey area may be extended at the discretion of the MMO. Local fishermen shall be invited to send a representative to be present during the survey. Any new obstructions that the MMO believes to be associated with the authorised scheme must be removed at the undertakers’s expense.
(11) The undertakers must inform the MMO of the location and quantities of inert material disposed of each month under this licence, by submission of a disposal return by 31 January each year for the months August to January inclusive, and by 31 July each year for the months February to July inclusive.
(12) The undertakers must ensure that only inert material of natural origin, produced during construction drilling and seabed preparation for foundation works and cable sandwave preparation works shall be disposed of within the offshore Order limits (disposal site reference TH23 East Anglia ONE).
(13) The undertakers 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.
(14) In the event that any rock material used in the construction of the authorised scheme is misplaced or lost below MHWS, the undertakers must report the loss to the District Marine Office within 48 hours and if the MMO shall reasonably consider such material to constitute a navigation or environmental hazard (dependent on the size and nature of the material) the undertakers must endeavour to locate the material and recover it.
(15) The undertakers must undertake the survey agreed under condition 11(g)(iii) following the high resolution swath bathymetric survey referred to in condition 19(2)(d). Should any such obstructions be identified which may reasonably be considered to interfere with fishing the undertakers must take reasonable steps to remove them.