Presentation
Bird interactions with offshore oil and gas platforms and a specialized remote assistance
DescriptionOffshore oil exploration and production units, resembling islands, attract avifauna for rest and shelter. Influencing factors include migration deviations, luminosity attraction, and involuntary transport through support vessels. Project for Monitoring the Impacts of Platforms and Vessels on Avifauna (PMAVE) monitors avian incidents on maritime units in the Campos and Santos Basins, Brazil, focusing on debilitated, injured, or dead birds and aggregations. This remote-assisted project was activated by the Responsible Technician On-board (RTO), who recorded the interactions. Between September 2015 and December 2022, the data were obtained from 93 maritime units operating in the Campos and Santos Basins, Brazil. In both fields, operations encompassed seismic, drilling, oil production, and supply vessels activities. Activations predominantly feature terrestrial birds (52.3%), followed by seabirds (37.4%), and aquatic birds (5.7%), with 4.4% unidentified. Comparatively, aquatic birds (4.2%) and marine seabirds (3.9%) exhibit higher collisions and trauma rates, while oil impact affects 5.6% of aquatic birds, 2.6% of terrestrial birds, and 1.1% of seabirds. Notably, aircraft collisions, particularly with frigatebirds near platforms, pose elevated risks. The data highlight platforms as bird resting sites, posing operational risks and potential harm to marine species. Beyond illuminating industry-wildlife dynamics, the project fosters environmental awareness among professionals, aligning with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
Event Type
Paper
TimeWednesday, May 15th10:40am - 11:00am CDT
Location291-292
Prevention