Marine Scotland Science: directory

Peter Dymond

Renewable and Energy Programme
Offshore Energy Environmental Advice Group
Offshore Chemical Risk Assessor

E-mail: peter.dymond@gov.scot

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

Pronouns: he/him/his

Details of specialism

Oil and gas exploration and production on the United Kingdom continental shelf (UKCS) is regulated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Oil and Gas Authority. The use of OCNS (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 (MSS) in the Scottish sector of the North Sea. My role is to assess Chemical Permit  applications submitted to BEIS by Oil and Gas operators via the web-based UK Oil Portal and includes offshore operations related to drilling, well interventions, pipelines, and production platforms. The primary tool I use to assess the risk to the marine environment is the Chemical Hazard Assessment and Risk Management (CHARM) model as agreed by the Oslo and Paris Conventions, OSPAR Decision 2000/2.

Within the broad topic area my particular focuses currently include:

• mathematical models (CHARM, Osborne-Adams & DREAM) to assess the risk to the marine environment of discharges of chemicals used in the offshore exploration/drilling/production of hydrocarbons
• the assessment for use and discharge of hazardous chemicals used in oil and gas operations that fall under the Harmonised Mandatory Control Scheme (HMCS)

Main policy links

• offshore chemical permitting
• offshore Oil and Gas Licensing
• OPRED, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

External committees and responsibilities

• provide assessment and advice to BEIS for geological surveys related to oil and gas activity using ArcGIS fishing sensitivities data
• I am an internal auditor within MSS quality system under ISO17020/17025 international standards for inspection and testing respectively