Introduction

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Introduction

Eni impact prevention policies

The protection of biodiversity entails action in all of Eni’s operational sectors, from exploration and production, where it is especially necessary to preserve the species and habitat of the eco-systems involved, to refining, petrochemicals and transport, where the primary objective is the sustainable use of resources and the restoration of the existing natural environment. For exploration and production Eni has studied the influence of its own activities on biodiversity in three major contexts. The results of these studies have been included in specific Eni standards. The guideline on the sector’s Environmental and Social Impact Studies (ESIA) provides for the identification, assessment and mitigation of impacts on biodiversity and the restoration of the habitats affected by the activities. For gas transmission, within the gas pipeline construction process, in selecting the course of the gas pipeline, account is also taken of the interaction of infrastructure with the environment. Therefore crossing of areas of particular natural or cultural value, geologically unstable areas and inhabited areas, or areas where new houses are expected to be built is avoided or reduced to the minimum. Soil, subsoil, botanic species, faunal heritage and ecosystems, landscapes and agricultural activities, infrastructures, territorial planning and environmental constraints are carefully assessed. The ecosystem analyses performed during basic planning are also used for reforestation projects which envisage the use of indigenous species and of pioneer shrubby species.

Research projects and biodiversity protection

The AgriBioDiversity project, started in 2003 in Val d’Agri (Basilicata region) of Italy.

In 2007 Eni’s commitment to biodiversity conservation continued by carrying out Biodiversity research, monitoring and mitigation projects. The global expenditure totalled 10.4 million euros (+40% over 2006) and involved 90 people, 82% of whom were from research institutes. The activities involve international nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) such as FFI (Fauna and Flora International) and IUCN (International Union for the conservation of Nature and Natural resources) as well as research institutes (Bologna and Lecce universities). The projects relate to particularly sensitive environmental, terrestrial and marine eco-systems. In these sites Eni has adopted the EBI (Energy and Biodiversity Initiative) approach, subsequently supplemented by the IPIECA-OGP Guidelines.

Technology in the service of biodiversity

The commitment to the safeguard of eco-systems and of biodiversity has entailed the development of instruments for monitoring and minimizing impacts. Projects are currently in progress for:

the assessment and reduction of impacts from seismic surveys performed in sensitive eco-systems such as the Arctic areas;
the characterisation of the main bacterial classes contained in the sea deposits with a view to emphasising the environmental stresses caused by residues in the refining wastewater.

Moreover, Eni has developed a proprietary technology for pipe laying in extremely shallow waters and subsequent backfilling, which makes it possible to avoid using means and equipment with a major environmental impact as well as digging and dredging great amounts of soil.

Fauna and Flora International and ASBD

Fauna & Flora International has been engaged by Eni E&P and Eni Norge to cooperate with Akvaplan-niva and the Arctos Group providing key input to the ASBD project.

Different biodiversity project tasks will be carried out, with the aim to set up monitoring plans for the biodiversity characterisation in the Arctic Sea, especially within the Goliat Field Development Project, and to establish an approach that can be transferred to other similar offshore contexts.

Driving questions

A number of key questions were identified which the ASBD project should address. The questions relate to further understanding the biodiversity of the region, how the biodiversity may change due to natural and anthropogenic influences and how existing tools might be improved to ensure accurate environmental assessment based on good scientific knowledge.

Project structure

The project is structured through a number of interrelated work packages relating to the main activities of the project. The research work packages are subdivided into separate activities.

Geographic region

The Arctic Lofoten-Barents region is an important interface between marine and continental systems that exhibits extremely high marine productivity and diversity, and functions as a habitat for large numbers of migratory birds, mammals, and fish. The region is highly variable as communities and processes reflect the interactions between environmental forcing and coastal geology, biology, and ecology as well as human activity. This region of the Arctic coastal zone is vulnerable to predicted and on-going environmental change, including biodiversity destabilization and anthropogenic impacts. With new and important increases expected in Arctic resource development, particularly hydrocarbon extraction, it is critical to undertake research into the biodiversity of this sensitive Arctic area.

Co-operation partners

Akvaplan-niva is co-operating on the ASBD project with a number of other leading research institutes and programmes. Collaboration with and utilsing the expertise and experience of other partners will enhance and forward the aims of the ASBD programme.