Ecology

Sierra Leone

West African countries face many challenges in offshore drilling activities. There is a wide disparity between countries in the level of environmental development and infrastructure. For instance, Sierra Leone has environmental legislation Region 2 must comply with, however both regulatory enforcement and infrastructure are lacking. Region 2 developed management systems that follow the best industry standards available. In this case, Region 2 was challenged to find a solution for the lack of infrastructure for waste management and disposal. While drilling in Sierra Leone, wastes from these activities were collected and sent to Ghana for disposal.

Several steps were required to accomplish the above mentioned. Region 2 was required to comply with the International Basel Convention Treaty on Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes worldwide as well as the Bamako Convention on movement of waste between African countries.

• Step 1: identified  and approved a suitable waste disposal facility along the African Coast (logistically feasible); 
  
• Step 2: HSE Region 2 team conducted a due diligence audit of the facility to ensure environmentally sound operations; and permits and permission from the Government were in place.
  
• Step 3: involved completion of a significant amount of paperwork and liaison between the two governments, to move forward both Governments would have to agree to the conditions of waste transfer and disposal.
  

Region 2 was able to ensure and demonstrate sound environmental management systems were implemented in accordance with local, state and federal regulations and International Treaties, protocols and conventions.

Ghana

Region 2 took action to conduct the study for the purpose of determining the origins of the seaweed and it safety. In addition, further studies were carried out to find viable use for the seaweed, such as fertilizer, food additive, etc.
A comprehensive sampling and analytical program was initiated by Region 2.
Results show that:

• Dominant seaweed originates from the Sargassum Sea and floats into the coastal region with the currents;
• Seaweed intrusions are not oil industry related;
• Seaweed and secondary vegetative materials appear to be highly toxic for animal and human consumption — direct and indirect:
  • Seaweed not safe as fertilizer nor consumption and must not be part of the food chain;
  • High levels of heavy metals including Arsenic;

Local communities were informed of the findings and a list of further actions was presented.