Quarantine management for the Barrow Island gas processing plant and oilfield

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1 Quarantine management for the Barrow Island gas processing plant and oilfield Gorgon gas processing plant and oilfield operated by Chevron on Barrow Island, Australia Identification of the relevant tip(s) Tip 6: Say no to hitchhikers Prevent the introduction of Alien Invasive Species (AIS) based on a robust understanding of the pre-existing ecological baseline. This avoids large-scale economic damage - and the need for expensive eradication programmes that is sometimes caused when new species are inadvertently introduced into an oil and gas asset area. IPIECA, Alien invasive species in oil and gas activities (2010). Executive summary Chevron Australia has operated the largest onshore oilfield in Australia on Barrow Island for more than 45 years. Despite this significant activity, the island s unique biodiversity remains intact and the ecosystem remains essentially free of exotic plants and animals. This is not due to luck but to a rigorous Quarantine Management System (QMS) a scalable system that enables fit-for-purpose management seamlessly integrated with existing environmental management systems and corporate management systems. The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority described the QMS as likely to be world s best practice. Background The translocation of Alien Invasive Species (AIS) is one of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st century; introduced species disrupt ecosystem function, change the structure of ecological communities and even cause the extinction of species. Eradication of AIS if possible at all can require many millions of dollars and years to eradicate. It follows that oil and gas companies that introduce AIS can find themselves facing a costly and lengthy eradication process and reputational damage that can limit access to future exploration and development sites. Barrow Island, 56 km from the Australian mainland, was declared a Class A Nature Reserve in 1910 and its rare native flora and fauna have been sharing their home with Australia s largest onshore oil field for more than 45 years. Oil production commenced in 1967 and the field has Figure 1. Barrow Island euros produced more than 315 million barrels (to March 2011). Barrow Island is host to the Gorgon Project s gas processing plant and associated infrastructure. The Gorgon Project is operated by an Australian subsidiary of Chevron and is a joint venture of the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (approximately 47 percent), ExxonMobil (25 percent) and Shell (25 percent), Osaka Gas (1.25 percent), Tokyo Gas (one percent) and Chubu Electric Power (0.417 percent). The unique environmental values of Barrow Island are linked to the presence of plant and animal species, particularly mammals, which have become rare or extinct on the Australian mainland. The 234 km2 island is home to 378 plants, more than 2,200 invertebrate species, 13 mammal species, 119 resident and migratory birds, and 43 species of reptiles (Appendix Box 1). Eight rare marsupials are also native to the island and three species of turtles nest and hatch on its beaches between October and April. The island supports 24 terrestrial species and subspecies which are not known to occur elsewhere, and another five terrestrial species with restricted distributions. The species present on Barrow Island have been isolated for 8,000 years since rising sea levels separated the island from the Australian mainland; their survival on the island is due to the continued absence of the introduced predators and competitors present on the mainland and other islands in the region. The waters surrounding Barrow Island are protected as a Marine Conservation Area, within which the species richness of Barrow Island Marine Park rivals that of the Great Barrier Reef.

2 In 2009, the Gorgon Project commenced development of the Greater Gorgon Area gas fields, Australia s largest known gas resource located km offshore, with predicted production of 15 million tonnes per annum. The project includes subsea pipelines to Barrow Island, a gas processing facility on the island s east coast, a domestic gas facility and LNG shipping capabilities to transport products to international markets. The project will occupy 300 ha or 1.3% of the island s uncleared land mass, require three million tonnes of material to be freighted to the island during the construction period and a peak workforce of around 5,000 people living on the island. of a comprehensive and lengthy process that included benchmarking against international quarantine programs, creation of an independent Quarantine Expert Panel, and extensive community consultation, public and government scrutiny, reviews and approval processes. Criteria for acceptably low risks were developed with the Quarantine Expert Panel, community, government and experienced, independent technical experts. The detailed analysis of threats, pathways and preventive barriers, design of surveillance for early detection of AIS, and contingency planning for incident response and eradication resulted in a QMS that is considered world-class by industry experts and described by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority as likely to be world s best practice (EPA 2009). Quarantine Management System The QMS was developed under the Barrow Island Quarantine Policy for all of Chevron s operations on the Island, which states that Chevron will not compromise quarantine requirements and establishes requirements for early detection of introduced organisms, readiness to respond to an introduction, stakeholder consultation and continuous improvement (Chevron 2010). Figure 2. Flour trays and baits for rodent control Management and protection of biodiversity An early start... The Chevron approach to quarantine was enshrined in the Barrow Island Management Principles developed in 1965 by the noted Australian conservationist Harry Butler and incorporated into the Standard Operating Procedure Manuals for Barrow Island. In 1994, the focus on quarantine was increased and a Quarantine Procedure was introduced. Since then, quarantine management has continually evolved and improved as the level of quarantine experience and understanding of threats has matured....and a new challenge Planning for the Gorgon Project in 2003 identified an increased risk of introducing AIS due to the proposed mobilisation of personnel and materials. Government acknowledged the challenge, referring to the threat of introducing AIS as a potential fatal flaw of the proposal (EPA 2003). It was clear a more robust quarantine system was required, with zero tolerance for introductions and new benchmarks of performance to gain government approval for the proposal. The Quarantine Management System (QMS) subsequently developed for Barrow Island was the result The specific objectives of the QMS are to: Prevent the introduction of AIS. Detect AIS early enough to consider eradication. Control and eradicate detected AIS. Mitigate adverse impacts of any control and eradication activities. The QMS was developed as a system rather than a static plan, living within Chevron s existing Operational Excellence Management System (Chevron 2010) and able to adapt over the decades-long life of the project. The system takes an ecological approach (Appendix Box 2) Figure 3. Pteromalid parasitoid wasp (Pteromalidae sp 5), one of more than 270 wasp species native to Barrow Island. Source: PaDIL database (

3 and comprises more than 300 procedures, specifications, checklists and guidelines for all aspects of quarantine management, aligning with the ISO14001 standard for Environmental Management Systems. As the world s largest non-government quarantine initiative, the QMS dwarfs the quarantine efforts of many authorities and states, addressing quarantine management pre-border (before goods and personnel reach the island), at the border (on arrival at Barrow Island) and post-border (outside of the development site) and implementing design and procedural innovations, including: Unique quarantine designs for buildings, containers and trailers to reduce the risk of contamination and facilitate cleaning and inspection. Shrink wrapping non-containerised / crated cargo to prevent cross-contamination during transit and storage. Replacement of timber by plastic and replacement of other high risk materials with alternatives wherever possible. Purpose-built airline check-in, screening and departure lounge for flights on dedicated aircraft from Perth to Barrow Island. Construction of dedicated mainland supply bases with quarantine storage, treatment and cleaning facilities. Dedicated marine loading and offloading facilities on the mainland and the island. A government licensed Quarantine Approved Premises to enable Barrow Island to be a first port of entry for goods arriving from overseas, providing containment and treatment facilities, including the world s largest washdown bay to accommodate gas plant modules shipped from overseas fabrication yards. Fumigation of all containers and wrapped packages to eradicate any invertebrates not previously detected. The QMS is now enshrined in the government conditions of approval for the Gorgon Project, which require ongoing involvement of an independent Quarantine Expert Panel and the presence of officers from the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) on Barrow Island to monitor and report performance. Pre-border focus The central focus of quarantine efforts is pre-border intervention; all cargo and people are screened and inspected for compliance before reaching Barrow Island. To meet the acceptably low risk criteria, adaptation of established risk management practices was required, as well as many innovations. As a precautionary approach, risk estimates focused on the likelihood of introducing AIS to Barrow Island rather than the consequences of that Figure 4. Washing quarantine compliant cargo prior to transport, to eliminate wind-borne insects and seeds. introduction; thirteen potential pathways were identified (Chevron 2005): Food and perishables. Personnel and luggage. Sand and aggregate. Domestic marine vessels. Plant and mobile equipment. Containerised goods. Airfreight. Skid, steel and loose equipment. Direct shipments. Special and sensitive goods. Crated goods. Modules. Helicopter Vessel Transfers. Detailed quarantine barriers were developed and implemented for these pathways (Chevron 2005), including physical, chemical and biological interventions, procedures, specifications and administrative processes. In some cases, creative solutions have been necessary to overcome challenges when implementing the pre-border barriers Appendix Box 3), but as a matter of principle, design solutions to reduce risk were considered prior to accepting procedural solutions. Chevron monitors a wide variety of pre-border performance data as a lead indicator of performance including pre-border intercepts of contamination. This data is being collected for the first time anywhere and will be used to gauge continuous improvement of the QMS. Border quarantine To support the significant pre-border effort, strict quarantine controls and rigorous inspections are implemented at the border to verify that all air and sea cargo is free from

4 discernable evidence of soil, plants, plant material, seeds, invertebrates and vertebrates. When non-compliant goods are identified, remediation is undertaken on the island if the risk of doing so is low; otherwise they are returned to the mainland for treatment. Post-border quarantine Post-border activities include inspection of material as it is being unpacked, verification and auditing of quarantine compliance, a robust early detection program for AIS and control and eradication capabilities in the event of an incursion. Baseline survey data and targeted surveillance are used to distinguish between indigenous species and AIS (Appendix Box 4) and ecological monitoring helps to determine trends that might indicate non-indigenous species. Figure 5. Drill rig wrapped after cleaning, to maintain quarantine compliance during transport to Barrow Island Outcomes Effectiveness of the QMS During 2010, over 142,000 freight tonnes of material were transported to Barrow Island by sea, with the rate to increase to 100,000 freight tonnes per month at the peak of construction. More than 60,000 passengers arrived by aircraft to perform rostered work, with accommodation and services growing to accommodate about 1,300 people at the end of Two dedicated supply bases and two dedicated marine facilities have been established at mainland locations to implement quarantine cleaning, treatment, inspection and storage measures. A fleet of quarantine-compliant road transport vehicles, dedicated marine vessels and aircraft are used to transport people and material to and from Barrow Island. Over the previous 47 years of oil exploration and production on the island, more than 10,000 cargo landings had been completed. Despite this volume of traffic, the Barrow Island ecosystem remains essentially undisturbed by exotic species. There are no known feral animals present on the island, and it is the largest land mass in Australia, and possibly the world, that is not infested by the black rat. Since the implementation of the Quarantine Procedures in 1994 and subsequently the QMS, only two instances of vermin arriving on Barrow Island have been recorded (as of 2010) two mice were found on a drilling rig in 1995 and a mouse was imported in a car wreck used for emergency training in In both cases, contingency plans were implemented and the pests were contained and exterminated. One weed species on Barrow Island is under intense management, reducing its already limited distribution toward eradication. The AIS surveillance program has not detected any new incursions since the commencement of the Gorgon Project. As a result of the QMS, Barrow Island has remained vermin free throughout the oilfield s history. No other island-based oilfield on the North West Shelf has been able to achieve this level of quarantine success. Uptake by industry and regulators Chevron has already sought to apply elements of the QMS to operations elsewhere. Globally, the Barrow Island QMS is likely to establish a new standard and blueprint for uptake by the petroleum industry, governments and local authorities; Barrow Island quarantine procedures have already been used by the DEC and Department of Fisheries as a reference for establishing a successful quarantine programme for other industry oilfield and gas plant proponents, aquaculture proponents and as guidance for New Zealand government agencies addressing the same issues. Lessons learnt The importance of continuous improvement Despite the success story to date, there is an acute awareness within the company that any complacency could invite serious ecological consequences. Chevron, in consultation with the independent Quarantine Expert Panel, the DEC and conservation biologists, is continually exploring ways to improve the QMS and further reduce the risk of introduced species becoming established on the island. Ownership The long-term success of the quarantine programme for the Barrow Island oilfield and Gorgon Project could not have been achieved without the ownership of, and involvement in, the QMS by all Chevron employees and contractors. Stakeholders and conservation biologists have had a role in developing many aspects of the QMS, and have suggested many effective and practical solutions for barriers to introduction, surveillance design and response strategies. Contractors must develop and implement agreed Quarantine Management Plans and steps are taken to ensure that all personnel understand the importance of quarantine in day-to-day decision making.

5 Mainstreaming quarantine The QMS operates as a part of the Chevron Operational Excellence Management System, which provides guidance and requirements for all of Chevron s activities worldwide. An early decision was taken to avoid development of a system in parallel to the company s existing management system; quarantine is not a special requirement but a part of the company s core business values and way of operating. Conclusion The QMS has set the benchmark for offshore island petroleum operations in Australia and, arguably, worldwide. Chevron s custodianship of Barrow Island has been recognised internationally as an example of successful coexistence of industrial activities and biodiversity conservation. Indeed, Barrow Island is now considered a model of environmental management for offshore islands. After 45 years of oil production and principally due to the successful quarantine programme, Barrow Island remains one of the most important reserves for mammal conservation in Australia. Contact details Gorgon Project Quarantine Manager, Chevron, Australia. ask@chevron.com. Supporting materials Chevron (2005). Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Review and Management Programme for the Gorgon Development. Refer to Chapter 12, Technical Appendices D1-D5, and the Additional Information Package: Documents/gorgon_ch12_LR.pdf.sflb.ashx; and Documents/D1_to_D5.pdf.sflb.ashx; and chevronaustralia.com/libraries/chevron_documents/ Additional_Information_Package.pdf.sflb.ashx. Chevron (2010). Terrestrial and Marine Quarantine Management System, Revision 3. Documents/Terrestrial_and_Marine_Quarantine_ Management_System.pdf.sflb.ashx. EPA (2003). Environmental Advice on the Principle of Locating a Gas Processing Complex on Barrow Island Nature Reserve Gorgon Venture. Section 16 Report and Recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority, Bulletin EPA, Perth, Western Australia. Appendix Further reading Box 1 Species Information The diverse wildlife on Barrow Island has been captured in a book series specifically designed to help anyone involved with the Gorgon Project identify the interesting species on the Island. The three pocket-sized booklets feature mammals, reptiles and birds found on the Island. The booklets are an important tool for the workforce and an example of our on-going commitment to our environmental custodianship of Barrow Island. Available at: protectingenvironment/nature-books.aspx. Box 2 An Ecological Approach The quarantine control that has been implemented by Chevron is reflective of an ecological approach to environmental management that also has far broader applications to the petroleum industry. It encompasses the following: Fostering a quarantine and environmental awareness culture, to promote ownership of environmental values and requirements for environmental protection. Understanding of the environment through targeted research. Prioritization of environmental management based on an understanding of ecological principles. Implementation of facilities and designs to minimise environmental risk. Development and strict enforcement of procedures to minimize impacts. Provision of a structured, systematic framework for monitoring, auditing, review and improvement of environmental performance. EPA (2009). Gorgon Gas Development Revised and Expanded Proposal: Barrow Island Nature Reserve Report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority. EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

6 Box 3 Creative Solutions It has been necessary to develop creative solutions to overcome challenges when implementing the pre-border barriers, for example: Contractors unable to meet the requirement for new equipment are permitted to submit near new equipment for inspection if it is completely disassembled, cleaned, and consumable parts replaced (such as tyres, filters, oils, grease) The very large volumes of sand and aggregate required for construction is sourced from the island and processed on site, rather than imported Accommodation units, office units and pipe racks are pre-assembled and modularised to minimise the number of items shipped individually A catering model that shifts the majority of food preparation to the mainland; the inherent risks of food and perishables are significantly reduced when preparation tasks are completed in pre-border kitchens, prior to packaging and transport to Barrow Island. Box 4 Baseline Surveys To support the detection effort it was recognised early that good diagnostic techniques would be required to distinguish between native species and introduced AIS. If a suspect species was detected, lags in identification and uncertainty in whether a response was required could become an overwhelming task. The most comprehensive baseline survey ever undertaken for terrestrial invertebrates (representing over 90 percent of the biodiversity of Barrow Island species) has been completed. All invertebrate species have been digitised into high-resolution photomontage images and made publically available on the government website: This digital library consists of more than 12,000 images of the 2,241 species recorded on Barrow Island. In addition a properly curated species collection exists with 14,000 specimens. To complete the capabilities necessary for rapid identification, a web-hosted digital microscope system has been commissioned to enable environmental technicians to obtain assistance from taxonomists around the world. The targeted surveillance methodology is based on statistical power and mapping of spatial risk based on the life cycle requirements and mobility of species that might hitchhike to Barrow Island. It represents a unique approach that optimises on-island resources and effort to detect AIS early enough to consider eradication. The surveillance design for AIS is based on a widely-published statistical analysis developed by Chevron and the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity/Queensland University of Technology, recognised as a new benchmark in ecological surveillance (Barrett et al. 2010, Jarrad et al. 2010a and 2010b). Barrett S, Whittle P, Mengersen K, Stoklosa R (2010). Biosecurity threats: the design of surveillance systems, based on power and risk. Environmental and Ecological Statistics 17 (4): Jarrad F, Barrett S, Murray J, Stoklosa R, Whittle P, Mengersen K (2010a). Ecological aspects of biosecurity surveillance design for the detection of multiple invasive animal species. Biological Invasions. Jarrad FC, Barrett S, Murray J, Parkes J, Stoklosa R, Mengersen K, Whittle P (2010b). Improved design method for biosecurity surveillance and early detection of nonindigenous rats. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 34 (4).