Environmental Management for Storage in the Operate stage

Objective

The objectives under this stage are to:

• Revise consents and approvals register (if necessary)
• Ensure environmental compliance through maintaining the key Environmental and Regulatory Consents and Approvals for the operation of the Gas Storage Facility
• Liaise with Authorities on leak detection system findings, corrosion protection issues, gas migration etc. (i.e. undertake further Stakeholder Engagement)

The aim of the further Stakeholder Engagement is to maintain effective communication.  This provides a reliable and robust feedback system to inform the operation of the Project.  This will allow the key Environmental and Regulatory Consents, Permits and Approvals for the ‘Operate’ stage to be maintained. 

Major Deliverables

The major deliverables of this stage are:

• An Updated Consents and Approvals Register
• Maintained Compliance with / of the key Environmental and Regulatory Consents and Approvals  
• An Updated Stakeholder Engagement Register

Tasks

An Updated Consents and Approvals Register

The consents and approvals register should provide details of the various consents and approvals which have been identified as required for the development of the project. 

Therefore, the specific tasks associated with updating the consents and approvals register (as a minimum) are to:

• Update the current status of the consent / approval, providing a summary of the work to be undertaken on maintaining the requirements of the consent / approval
• Update the summary of any formal / informal discussions with the appropriate granting authorities / regulators

Maintained Compliance with / of the key Environmental and Regulatory Consents and Approvals

Based on the updated consents and approvals register, actions should be taken to ensure compliance with the requirements of the key environmental and regulatory consents and approvals identified such that they are maintained. 

Ensuring compliance and maintaining the key environmental and regulatory consents and approvals may include:

• Provision of environmental training for personnel involved with operational activities
• Carrying out operational activities in accordance with environmental management and waste management plans
• The monitoring / reporting of appropriate data to the appropriate Regulating Authority
• The production and submissions of appropriate documentation verifying the monitoring / reporting of appropriate data

Furthermore, it is noted that effective environmental management at the ‘Operate’ stage will help to ensure compliance.

Updated Stakeholder Engagement Register

The main tasks associated with updating the stakeholder engagement register include those surrounding the additional liaison which will be undertaken in the relevant Regulating Authorities.  Therefore, these would include: 

• Updating the relevant Regulating Authority contact details (if required)
• Updating the relevant Regulating Authority engagement requirements
• Record any information / details / feedback on the project received from the relevant Regulating Authority regarding specific Project information (e.g. leak detection system findings, corrosion protection issues, gas migration, etc)

Examples

Key Personnel

• Site Manager
• Environmental Manager
• Environmental Specialists