Preservation Project of Coral and Seagrass for Sustainable Oil Field Development

Transcription

1 Preservation Project of Coral and Seagrass for Sustainable Oil Field Development Tariq Al Kindi HSE Department, Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. Takao Sumihiro Technical Department, Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. Abstract Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (ADOC) is currently operating three oil fields offshore Abu Dhabi. Since the establishment of ADOC and commencement of its operations at one field in 1968, we have been endeavoring to maintain safe and stable operations whilst paying attention to protecting the environment by preservation projects, such as coral preservation, seagrass transplantation, mangrove plantation and osprey protection together with greenhouse gas(ghg)reduction by sour gas injection project and zero flaring project for a sustainable future. As our operating area is offshore, keeping the UAE offshore in good and clean condition is crucial for achieving sustainable development. This paper will highlight two important marine preservation projects in order to create further ecosystem in Mubarraz shoal. The coral preservation project was launched in 2009 after a fundamental survey conducted in collaboration with Japanese experts. During the investigation, series of marine environmental data was acquired and seventeen kinds of coral were confirmed. On the other hand, many fragments of fallen and buried corals were found in this area. As a result, the following activities were established and indicated the progress to some extent. 1) Coral preservation by retrieving fragmented and partially buried corals and transplanting them on stable substructure 2) Coral propagation experiment by utilizing coral s sexual reproduction with settlement devices The seagrass transplantation project was launched in 2007 after investigating various seagrass and selecting a suitable method and area of the transplantation. As a result, the seagrass settlement and expansion were clearly confirmed by utilizing the mattress method in some area, even in the sterile sea bed. Key Words: Mubarraz shoal,fragment,settlement device,mattress method

2 Preservation Project of Coral and Seagrass for Sustainable Oil Field Development The 20th Joint GCCJapan Environment Symposium 2224 November,2011 Tariq Al Kindi Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (Japan) Mubarraz Island

3 1 Contents a 1. Introduction of Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (Japan) 2. Coral Preservation Project Fundamental Research of Corals Achievement Summary 3. Seagrass Preservation Project Site Survey Method of Seagrass Transplantation Achievement Summary 4. Conclusions

4 2 INTRODUCTION OF Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (Japan)

5 3 COMPANY PROFILE Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (Japan) operates three offshore oil fields, which are located 60 to 100 km west of Abu Dhabi City, United Arab Emirates. First Japanese Oil Company in Abu Dhabi Celebrated 40th Anniversary in 2008 Mubarraz Shoal A Field MField GField Abu Dhabi

6 Environment Protection Activities in ADOC Protection of Ospreys Coral Preservation Mangrove Plantation Seagrass Preservation 4 Zero Gas Flaring Project Installation of Solar Panels

7 5 Coral Preservation Project

8 6 Coral Preservation Project Fundamental Research of Corals In June 2009 in order to determine the way forward for the coral protection and propagation in Mubarraz Shoal, ADOC together with Japanese experts conducted a Fundamental Research of Corals. The habitat status is categorized into four stages. Corals are always within sight Corals can be observed at any time Corals are interspersedly located Corals are often observed Corals are observed after searching Corals are rarely observed Mostly unable to observe corals No corals are observed Diving Survey

9 7 Coral Preservation Project Fundamental Research of Corals 17 species of corals were identified in Mubarraz shoal. The Acropora, only 9 clusters of Acropora had been confirmed in the west area of Mubarraz Shoal. Porites harrisoni Monstestrea sp. Porites lutea Favia sp. Turbinaria sp. Favia palida Porites columnaris Acropora sp. Cyphastrea serailia Leptoria phrygia Platygyra daedalea Astreopora sp 8 Psammocora contigua Pavona sp. Montipora venosa Acropora downingi Celleporaria cf pigmentaria

10 8 Coral Preservation Project Fundamental Research of Corals < Primary Result > The preservation of specific corals species, utilizing and applying existing techniques, was identified as the most effective route for coral preservation and also a realistic mitigation measure.

11 9 Coral Preservation Project Fundamental Research of Corals < Way forward > Two practical methods to achieve the Coral Preservation by Conserving Specific Species were established as follows: 1.Retrieve coral fragments of branched Acropora and Porities, and then transplant them onto existing natural rocks and newly installed artificial bases to facilitate the rescue and propagation of corals. 2.Install coral eggs settlement devices into Porities reef to catch coral eggs. If corals are confirmed to have taken root on the settlement devices, transplantation to the artificial bases; which are installed at a deep water depth to against protect high seawater temperatures, is carried out. Reef

12 10 Coral Preservation Project Achievement Coral Fragments Monitoring Results of Survival Coral Fragments More than 50% (78/143)of the corals survival rate were identified in June June 2009 Area Coral species Base Number of Coral Fragment (pcs) Natural Fragment (pcs) Survival Rate (%) Coral Fragment (pcs) Survival Rate (%) Coral Fragment (pcs) Survival Rate (%) 100 N.A. N.A * * * * * * Acropora * Porites * Acropora * * * Porites **Algaroc Sandpaper Acropora Natural Rock Acropora Porites **Algaroc 2 Porites 4 (%) Coral 4 Acropora 1&2 Rate June 2011 Number of Rock 6 Between Survival Dec 2010 Number of *4 Acropora 7 June 2010 Number of Acropora Pedestal *: Coral fragments are just transplanted on base. **: Algarock is a concrete block which is specifically designed to encourage the settlement of coral larvae at the time of the mass annual spawning, and to act as stable substrate for corals

13 11 Coral Preservation Project Achievement Transplantation of Coral Fragments Transplanted Corals on Algarock Between Area1 and Area2 (Acropora) June 2009 June 2011 Fallen Fragments 30cm Transplanted Corals on Natural Rock At Area 6 & 7 (Acropora) Area 6 June 2009 June 2010 Area 7 June 2009 June 2010 June 2011

14 12 Coral Preservation Project Achievement Settlement Device The settlement devices were installed to the coral reef to catch coral eggs from the reef during ovulation season. Installation of settlement devices was begun in June 2010 and 29 pedestals with settlement devices were installed by June 2011 but no coral eggs have been visually confirmed yet. After 6 Months In most cases, mass of algae was found attached to settlement devices.

15 13 Coral Preservation Project Summary 1.The survival rates of transplanted coral fragments are observed more than 50% in June The environmental conditions of transplantation sites cannot be changed. 3.No coral eggs have been visually 3. confirmed on the settlement devices yet.

16 14 Seagrass Preservation Project

17 15 Seagrass Preservation Project Site Survey The site survey was carried out to investigate various seagrass at 42 locations in the northwestern water off Mubarraz Island in June Survey Area ( 23.6km2 ) Survey Point 42 points

18 16 Seagrass Preservation Project Site Survey < Survey Results > 1.The seagrass is widely *distributed in the region of the survey, which is located northwest of Mubarraz Island. *=25% of Survey Area 2.Three species of seagrass, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis and Halophila stipulacea, were observed. Halodule Uninervis Halophila Ovalis Halophila Stipulacea 3. The water depth ranges of vegetation differ among three species of seagrass.

19 １7 Seagrass Preservation Project Method of Seagrass Transplantation After the investigation into various seagrasses, a seagrass transplantation experiment was carried out using the two methods; Mattress Method (Mattress is developed and manufactured by Taisei Corporation) 1. Installation of the mattress near the seagrass colony 2. Observation until seagrass is naturally on the matress 3. Relocation of the mattress to an area where seagrass is not growing 4. Observation for seagrass taking root and spreading Root Distribution Method 1. Taking seagrass roots grown naturally in Seagrass colonies 2. Transplanting the roots to areas where seagrass had not originally grown 3. Moving it to another place where sea grass is not growing 4. Observing the growth progress

20 18 Seagrass Preservation Project Method of Seagrass Transplantation The typical result showed that the Mattress Method was found to be far superior to the Root Distribution Method for the seagrass transplantation. Mattress Method : Seagrass is growing occupying 90% of mattress Initial June 2007 September 2007 December 2007 Root Distribution Method : Seagrass perished within 3 months Initial June 2007 September 2007 December 2007

21 19 Seagrass Preservation Project Achievement Seagrass transplantation was commenced in 2008 by mattress method and then transplanted to SiteRD (deep) and RS (shallow). It was confirmed that this transplanted seagrass had successfully taken root and spread in Site RS and Site RD. Site RS (shallow) Site RD (deep) mattress method 06Jun Jun Jun.2009 Site RS (shallow) 10Jun.2010 Site RD (deep) Natural Seagrass Natural Seagrass

22 20 Seagrass Preservation Project Achievement In June 2010, mattress (from site E) were transplanted to Point 401,which is a non seagrass and coral area. In June 2011, it was confirmed that this transplanted seagrass had successfully taken root. June 2010 Point 401 Site RS Site RD Site E June 2011 June 2011 W35 B22 H.O 10% covereded June 2011 B40 W31 B24 B23 B22 W34 B37 B38 B36 B39 W33 B26 W46 B21 W35 Coverage(%) 0 H.U 10% H.S 10% covereded W32 5> <

23 21 Seagrass Preservation Project Summary 1.Three species of seagrass, namely Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis and Halophila stipulacea, are widely distributed. 2.The Mattress Method was far superior to the Root Distribution Method for seagrass transplantation. 3.The seagrass extension was confirmed in Site RS,RD and Point4 by the Mattress Method.

24 22 Conclusions

25 23 Conclusion 1. Our environmental technologies are suitable for the expansion of existing ecosystems and the creation of new ecosystems in the Mubarraz shoal. 2. These technologies could be employed to seagrass and coral transplantation in other locations. 3. ADOC has been operating offshore oil fields for more than 40 years and will continue to do so in the future, and recognize that active conservation of the UAE marine environment is crucial for achieving sustainable oil field development.

26 Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (Japan) Thank you for your attention! 25