DNV SERVING THE OFFSHORE INDUSTRYBAT - BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES

As there is more and more focus on the environmental impactsfrom industrial projects, it is of increasing importance to ensurethat technologies and practices implemented achieve the bestlevel of environmental performance.

A regulatory requirementBest Available Techniques (BAT) is a principle defined in the EUdirective on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)(2008/1/EC). The purpose of the IPPC is to prevent and controlpollution from various sectors, such as energy industries or thechemical industry.

The IPPC directive has been integrated in Norwegian regulation(Pollution Control Act – forurensningsloven) and as a bearingprinciple in the industry standard NORSOK S-003.

Thus the Norwegian petroleum legislation requires the bestavailable techniques to be implemented when designing newinstallations, and for modifying existing ones.

BenefitsIn addition to complying with standards and regulatoryrequirements, successful BAT assessments ensure that the bestpracticable environmental performance is achieved.

Indeed, the BAT approach does not only take into account theenvironmental performance of techniques, it also ensures thatthose techniques are economically accessible as well as technicallyapplicable to your project.

As every project is unique, DNV proposes custom made BATassessments which take into account project specific opportunitiesand constraints.

BAT is intended to assist in identifying the techniques (e.g. power generation, water treatment) that are the best for theenvironment as a whole, and that are economically and technically available for your industry.

BATBEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES

BAT DEFINITION - Best means most effective solution in achieving a high generallevel of protection of the environment as a whole.

- Available techniques means those developed on a scale whichallow implementation in the relevant industrial sector, undereconomically and technically viable conditions, taking intoconsideration the costs and advantages, whether or not thetechniques are used or produced locally, as long as they arereasonably accessible to the operator.

- Techniques includes both the technology used, and the way inwhich the installation is designed, built, maintained, operatedand decommissioned.

BAT SELECTIONThe selection of Best Available Techniques consists in finding theappropriate balance between environmental performance andtechnical and economical availability. This balance depends on anumber of parameters, such as the projects environmentalrequirements and goals, technical constraints, stakeholdersexpectations and the economic viability of the project.

Because of this DNV considers that BAT assessments shall beproject specific.

WHEN TO CARRY OUT A BAT ASSESSMENT?BAT assessments should take place at every project stage whendecisions are taken. This ensures that best available techniques areconsidered up front, and avoids having to change solutions at alater stage in the project, which can be costly.

However, the DNV BAT methodology is flexible and alsoapplicable to situations when the design is frozen, or when thefacilities are already built.

VALUE DELIVEREDA recommendation of Best Available Technique for a system orinstallation that meets your operations' demands forenvironmental performance, reliability and availability - withoutinvolving excessive costs.

A BAT assessment that meets the expectations set forth in theIPPC directive, and regulatory requirements.

DNV AND BATDNV has applied its BAT methodology to a wide variety of projects: FPSO,field development, power generation, produced water treatment andinjection, flare system, cargo blanketing system, gas compression, HSEconcept assessment, leak detection systems;

DNV holds a strong position in the Oil & Gas and maritime industrysectors;

DNV has a global presence, and a network of experts in technical fields.

Det Norske Veritas AS1322 Høvik, NorwayTel: +47 67 57 99 00

www.dnv.com

For more information:E-mail: valentin.vandenbussche@dnv.com