While the general OSPAR guidelines with success have minimized the footprint of the oil industry in temperate regions, there is uncertainty whether these guidelines in their present form are adequate in high arctic regions. The recent draft DCE/BMP strategy on the Environmental Assessment and disposal of drilling fluids and drilling chemicals reflects this concern, which is also on the agenda in OSPAR committees.
At present standard toxicity test are used in the OSPAR classification, but there is a need for specific studies to address toxicity and degradation rates at relevant temperatures in the high arctic Greenland Sea before applications for discharge can be considered in a proper science-based evaluation.
This will enable regulation of discharge of drilling mud and chemicals from exploration drilling in the Greenland Sea, so there is certainty that significant impacts are avoided, and the best solution is selected based on specific information on toxicity and degradation in the high arctic environment. The purpose of the project is to strengthen the basis for evaluation and regulation of chemicals in drilling fluids and mud for use and discharge of in high arctic water.