A Common Database for Ecotoxicological Documentation of Chemicals
Authors: Beck H.J. , Salte K. , Brun B.T. 
Published: December 2007

The Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR) is now in the process of implementing a new environmental reporting and declaration standard format for chemical products discharged to the sea by the offshore oil and gas producers in the North East Atlantic Area and North Sea areas. This format is called Harmonized Offshore Chemical Notification Format. This reporting requirement allows for improved environmental control, but also imposes additional work and costs on the industry and the suppliers.

Three major Norwegian oil and gas producers, Statoil Phillips Petroleum Company Norway and Norsk Hydro have in a response to the new requirements established a joint data centre, the KPD-centre (Chemical Product Data-centre), which shall maintain a common database of the required ecotoxicological information for their chemicals. The database will give each of the three companies access to ecotoxicological data for a large number of chemicals and enable them to have an effective, cost-saving system for handling necessary data in connection with discharge permit applications and for environmental evaluation on chemicals. The information can quickly be printed out in reports and report formats required by the Governmental agencies for example in support of discharge permit applications. The information also generates input to risk assessment and mass balance programs.

The paper describes how the KPD-centre is organized and operated and how the database is set up and utilized by the operators. The environmental data are provided by the chemical suppliers according to the said format. A data security system is implemented to ensure that the suppliers proprietary rights to the data are not violated.

Introduction

By January 1st 1996 it was mandatory for the operators in the North East Atlantic and North Sea areas to report and declare chemicals by the new HOCNF (Harmonized Offshore Chemical Notification Format) when applying for discharge permits. The HOCNF replaces "Paris Commission Guidelines Regarding Harmonization of Procedures of Approval, Evaluation and Testing of Offshore Chemicals and Drilling Muds" (1990). The reporting format comprises all types of chemicals that are used in connection with drilling and production (cementing, well completions, well stimulation, processing, injection, hydraulic fluids, BOP, thread compound, emergency preparedness chemicals, pipeline chemicals etc.). Additives or preparations in drilling fluids are also included in the HOCNF. All new applications for discharge permits after January 1st 1996 must contain documentation in this standard format. A more thorough description of the HOCNF is given below.

To handle all this information in an efficient and cost effective way, a database has been developed. This database has been named CHEMS (Chemical Management System). Three of the operating companies in Norway will use this database for handling the required ecotoxicological information for chemicals used in drilling and production. A description of the database is also given below together with a description of how the KPD-centre is run and organized.

Governmental rules and regulations in Norway The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority regulates the activities related to offshore oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf. The operating companies have to apply for discharge permits for all chemicals used in drilling and production.

The permits are issued by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. The permits are for individual chemicals or as "frame type" permits.

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