Assessment Model for the Social Impact of Decommissioning Subsea Oil and Gas Systems

Abstract

The article aims to propose a social impact assessment model that can help operators in the oil and gas exploration and production sector to evaluate the social impacts in the onshore and offshore dimensions of the decommissioning of subsea oil and gas production systems. Based on the technical characteristics of the operation, the literature review and the workshops held with interested parties, the conceptual model was developed. The model includes 2 dimensions: (i) onshore, which encompasses impacts on logistics and infrastructure and onshore employability, and (ii) offshore, which involves external context, restrictions on artisanal fishing, restrictions on tourist activities and offshore employability. The impacts in both dimensions result from the operationalization of decommissioning. The contribution of this study is to propose a social impact assessment model that takes into account the onshore and offshore dimensions of the offshore-based decommissioning process of submarine systems and to propose future research. The proposed model can support decision-making by companies and governments in the process of decommissioning submarine systems and can also help other types of offshore installations.