Marine Scotland Science: directory

Rachael Duncan

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

E-mail: Rachael.Duncan@gov.scot

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

Pronouns: she/her/hers

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 (UKOP). The primary tool 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) to assess the risk to the marine environment of discharges of chemicals used in the offshore exploration/drilling/production of hydrocarbons

Main policy links

• offshore chemical permitting
• offshore oil and gas licencing, OPRED, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy