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Identifying the possible impacts of rock dump from oil and gas decommissioning on Annex I mobile sandbanks 2017

Abstract

This project attempts to generate an improved understanding of the impacts of rock dump from oil and gas decommissioning on Annex I mobile sandbanks.

Summary

North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef (NNSSR) candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC)/Site of Community Importance (SCI) were used as a case study.

The study identified that there is currently insufficient information to quantify or qualify the implications of rock dump in the NNSSR cSAC/SCI from a physical and biological perspective. It is not possible to quantify or qualify the movement of sandbanks around or over existing or applied rock dump. Theoretically, the mobile sandbanks may cyclically cover applied rock dump and there is the potential for scour to be induced if an appropriate design is not chosen. Without further information on rock berm design, monitoring studies and numerical modelling of such behaviour, the short-term and long-term implications of both theoretical behaviours are difficult to determine.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2017·09·01

Citation
Pidduck, E., Jones, R., Daglish, P., Farley, A., Morley, N., Page, A. & Soubies, H. 2017. Identifying the possible impacts of rock dump from oil and gas decommissioning on Annex I mobile sandbanks. JNCC Report No. 603. JNCC, Peterborough. ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report provides initial conclusions regarding the implications of rock dump in the North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef cSAC/SCI for impact assessment of plans and/or projects. As such, JNCC does not yet consider it appropriate to use the conclusions directly in Habitats Regulations Assessments, without further consideration of the evidence gaps detailed in the report and consideration of the applicability of the evidence presented.

Responsible organisation
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2019·07·09

Metadata point of contact
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC

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