Marine Scotland Science: directory

Colin Megginson

Renewables and Energy Programme
Offshore Energy Environmental Advice Group
Offshore Chemical Risk Assessment Manager

E-mail: colin.megginson@gov.scot

Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, UK

Details of specialism

Oil and gas exploration and production on the United Kingdom continental shelf is regulated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Oil and Gas Authority. The use of Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme registered chemicals during these activities is permitted by the Offshore Chemical Regulations 2002 (as amended 2011). The critical risk assessments for the use and discharge of chemicals are undertaken by Marine Scotland Science in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.   

In general terms I am interested in the use and discharge of offshore chemicals, used in the production and exploration of oil and gas, from offshore installations and in understanding the impact of such chemicals on the marine environment

Within the broad topic area my particular focuses currently include:

• mathematical models (Chemical Hazard Assessment and Risk Management and Osborne-Adams) to assess the risk to the marine environment of discharges of chemicals used in the offshore exploration/drilling/production of hydrocarbons
• assessing reports submitted for the discharge of naturally occurring substances and added chemicals in produced waters 
• using modelling software to assess the impacts of chemicals discharged in produced waters from offshore installations

Main policy links

• offshore oil and gas (permitting)
• offshore oil and gas (science advice)
• offshore Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy