Environment Report 2016

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ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2016
7.3 Waste
Regulatory Landscape
Although offshore installations do not need a licence for waste generation and handling, there are a number of
regulatory requirements that operators must adhere to. Many of these are contained within the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships72 . This was introduced into UK law through the Merchant
Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage and Garbage from Ships) Regulations 200873.
The 2008 regulations generally prohibit waste disposal in the offshore marine environment with the exception
of ground food waste disposal beyond 12 miles from the coast. This means that all offshore oil and gas waste is
generally returned to shore. Most food waste is returned to shore with the exception of small quantities of ground
food waste that are discharged through drainage systems.
Every offshore oil and gas installation must hold a Garbage Management Plan that includes details of waste
collection, storage and disposal measures. A Garbage Record Book must also be kept on site with a record of the
waste passed to supply vessels for onshore disposal.
Although not directly applicable offshore, operators must be mindful of the onshore waste regulations as it is
essential that the transfer of waste ashore is carried out in a way that allows these requirements to be met74. The
original waste producer has a ‘duty of care’ to ensure waste is transferred and disposed of properly. Although
the waste producer has the primary role, this duty of care also extends to any person who imports, produces,
carries, keeps, treats or disposes of waste or, as a broker, has control of such waste. Waste producers may take
the following steps in relation to their duty of care:
• Prevent waste being released through appropriate handling and storage
• Understand waste in their possession and accurately describe its contents
• Ensure waste is transferred to an appropriately licensed carrier
• Prevent waste from causing harm according to what is known and foreseeable
• Monitor waste through an Environmental Management System
• Report waste disposal data to EEMS on a monthly basis
72 See
73 See
74 Further information on onshore waste regulation can be found on Oil & Gas UK’s Environment Legislation website
at