Challenge
In October 2022, the NSTA launched the 33rd licensing round inviting application for licenses to explore and potentially develop 898 blocks and part-blocks in the UK North Sea.
As part of the bid submissions, the applicant needs to produce two documents to meet the requirements outlined in the Appendix C: Safety and Environmental Issues Licensing and Operatorship guidance, namely an Environmental Sensitivity Assessment and a Safety and Environmental capability document. A number of operators sought our support to produce either one or both of these documents as part of their application.
Approach
In order to prepare the Environmental Sensitivity Assessments, Telos confirmed exact Blocks being applied for and proposed work program on award. We then organised our resources to prepare all the applications we had been entrusted with in a timely manner ahead of the closing deadline.
For support with the Safety and Environmental capability documents, Telos experts liaised with clients to gather data on their HSE documentation, organisation and responsibilities etc. to provide an accurate description of the company’s arrangements.
Solution
Telos prepared the Environmental Sensitivity Assessments using up to date baseline information for the areas of interest, referencing the latest relevant publications and government websites and illustrating relevant environmental sensitivities through mapping.
The Safety and Environmental Capability statement was put together to highlight the strengths of the companies HSEMS and key competencies within the company to align with the requirements of the guidance.
Outcome
Telos supported more than 10 percent of the applications made in the round. Our clients were satisfied with the quality of deliverables and how they were received by the authorities with a number of them recommending us to other applicants to address the regulator comments on their own application.