IA for the Goliat Offshore Oil Field Development. World's Northernmost Offshore Oil Development?

Abstract

Abstract The Goliat field is the first offshore oil field in the Barents Sea planned for development and operation. The field is probably the worlds' northernmost offshore field being located at the 71.2 latitude (Figure 1). The oil field is located in an environmentally sensitive area with high political focus and strict environmental requirements. It will be the first field in Norway to meet the special environmental requirements for discharges to the sea for the Barents Sea, which is stricter than the general "zero harmful discharge" requirement for the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). In addition, strict requirement for emissions to air will be met by transmitting electricity from shore to cover the power demand offshore. The paper will address how thorough and focused planning (the IA1 process) over several years has ensured that the zero discharge requirements and strict obligations on oil spill planning will be met. Further, the paper will address how the project successfully managed the stakeholder dialogue, involving key stakeholders already in an early planning phase and contributing to partly changing the negatively focused perceptions by fishermen, indigenous people and the society in general.