Todd, V.L.G., Lepper, P.A., & Todd, I.B.,
In: Improving Environmental Performance: A Challenge for the Oil 60pp. Industry Proceedings of the International Association of Drilling Contractors
3-4 April Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2007)
Two sets of field trials were performed from offshore installations in the German Entenschnabel sector of the Dogger Bank, North Sea. Trial 1 was undertaken from the jackup drilling rig Noble Kolskaya and its support vessel Northern Seeker, at locations B4-5 and B11-4 over three discrete periods (October/November 2004 and December 2004/January 2005). The purpose of these trials was to perform measurements of acoustic noise levels generated by the rig during routine activities and to undertake preliminary passive acoustic monitoring (using T-PODs) of porpoises (Cetacea: Phocoena phocoena) around the rig. Trial 2 was a six-month study (August 2005-January 2006) using T-PODS around the A6-A gas-production platform when it was isolated, when the Noble Kolskaya was docked alongside, and after the rig’s departure.