Environmental statement - Flyndre and Cawdor - Maersk Oil

Flyndre and Cawdor Environmental Statement
Section 3 Environmental Baseline
Figure 3‐14 Distribution of some cetaceans found in the North Sea and around the British Isles
(Reid et al., 2003).
In the SCANS II survey for the estimation of densities
and abundances of cetaceans the wider North Sea area
was divided several areas as shown in Figure 3‐15
(JNCC, 2008). The Clyde platform is located in Area V.
Based on shipboard surveys estimated densities
(animals per km 2 ) of minke whales and harbour
porpoises within this area are 0.028 and 0.294,
respectively. Estimating densities of white beaked and
white sided dolphins separately is more difficult due to
their physical similarities and hence difficulty in telling
them apart.
Figure 3‐15 Chart showing how the North Sea was divided up during the SCANS II survey.
3.6. SOCIO‐ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
The need for socio‐economic assessment comes directly from EIA regulations which require that all
new projects consider both positive and negative socio‐economic impacts in terms of benefits to the
local communities and the country along with the potential interface with existing industries and
communities.
DECC’s remit to review Field Development Programmes ensures that licenses take into account
implications for other offshore oil and gas developments in the area, and the interests of other users
of the area.
3.6.1. SOCIAL IMPACTS
Socially the impacts of this development will be minor as it is a relatively small development super‐
imposed on a social system that is already changed due to the oil industry. The main social benefits
will be short term and relate to continuation of jobs in the construction yards and offshore installation
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