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| A new purpose in prospect for this North Sea platform? |
ARTIFICIAL nest sites for kittiwakes could be created on a gas platform in the southern North Sea.
As of June this year, the Wenlock platform - which sits in 90ft of water some 98km north-east of the Bacton gas terminal in North Norfolk - already had an estimated 69 pairs of this declining seabird.
But it could have even more if a joint project involving the site's operators, Alpha Petroleum and Energean UK, along with offshore windfarm developer Orsted proves viable.
Orsted has run into choppy water with conservation organisations such as the RSPB over its Hornsea Four project which, it is feared, could have an adverse impact on marine species such as kittiwakes which are disturbed (and threatened) by rotating turbines.
It hopes that 'repurposing' gas platforms located away from windfarms could provide nesting opportunities and 'compensate' for any harm caused by turbines.
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| Nesting kittiwakes |
It would also be cost-effective because it would save the Danish company from having to install other forms of artificial nesting structure.
The Wenlock platform is said to be nearing the end of its economic producing life and is scheduled for the plugging and abandonment of wells from next year.
Says Jamie Baldwin, Hornsea Four Project Director at Orsted: "We are always keen to explore innovative opportunities to ensure that our projects are developed, constructed and maintained as sensitively and sustainably as possible.
"We look forward to continuing our work with Alpha and Energean to investigate the potential for repurposing existing offshore structures as part of a tool-box of ecological compensation measures."
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| Kittiwakes and other birds at the Wenlock platform Below: The publication is available (price £2) as an e-book via Kindle  |
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