Guidance

Onshore oil and gas: examples for your adapting to climate change risk assessment

Updated 17 May 2023

Applies to England

Possible impacts and mitigation measures to consider when preparing your climate change risk assessment.

Summer daily maximum temperature

This may be around 7°C higher compared to average summer temperatures now, with the potential to reach extreme temperatures as high as over 40°C with increasing frequency based on today’s values.

Impact 1

Potential for dust emissions at well sites.

The mitigation for this could include increased deployment of dust suppression systems as required.

Impact 2

The potential increase in surface temperature of infrastructure may result in expansion and stress of plant, pipework and fittings.

The mitigation could include regular inspection and preventative maintenance of site and plant or equipment.

Impact 3

Increased risk of new or increased emissions such as odours.

The mitigation for this could include:

• recording any instances of odour arising
• developing an odour management plan in line with the permit condition, if necessary

Impact 4

Increased risk of fires, including wildfires in the surrounding area.

The mitigation could include:

• provision, testing and maintenance of fire detection and prevention measures on site
• linking with the local resilience forum or fire authority to understand potential impacts from off-site risks

Impact 5

Increased energy demands for air conditioning units or cooling units for staff and temperature sensitive equipment.

The mitigation could include:

• energy needs and consumption assessments
• improved equipment protection

Winter daily temperature

This could be 4°C more than the current average with the potential for more extreme temperatures, both warmer and colder than present.

Impact 1

Colder winter temperatures could lead to freezing of pipework, surface water management systems or ditches.

The mitigation could include insulating and providing trace heating for exposed pipework.

Daily extreme rainfall

Daily rainfall intensity could increase by up to 20% on today’s values.

Impact 1

Flooding leading to:

• power failure
• process disruption
• infrastructure damage
• restrictions on site access for staff and emergency services

The mitigation for this could include making sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of anticipated surface water and flood waters
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained
• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage and treatment capacity

Impact 2

Potential for contaminated floodwater or surface water run-off from the site, causing pollution.

The mitigation for this could include:

• making sure there is secure storage of chemicals
• maintaining drainage systems, including interceptors and traps, to avoid uncontrolled washout of pollutants
• considering other permit requirements for discharges under extreme conditions

Impact 3

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding.

The mitigation for this could include making sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of anticipated surface water and flood waters
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained

Impact 4

Potential for increased risk of surface water contamination requiring tankering or disposal.

The mitigation for this could include making sure:

• areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• there is adequate protection of stored waste by containment or cover to avoid water ingress and contamination
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage or treatment capacity – consider changes to current surface water drainage and use of sustainable drainage systems

Average winter rainfall

Average winter rainfall may increase by over 40% on today’s averages.

Impact 1

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding.

Mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 2

Potential for drainage systems and interceptors to be overwhelmed.

The mitigation for this could be making sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of flood waters, where relevant
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained
• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage and treatment capacity

Impact 3

Access or egress from site could be affected to a degree, impacting:

• staff
• suppliers
• deliveries
• removals of product
• emergency services

Sites without an off-site emergency plan should consider these potential impacts and develop an emergency plan.

The mitigation for this would be to develop a suitable emergency plan that fully considers these impacts.

Sea level rise

Sea level rise which could be as much as 0.6m higher compared to today’s level.

Impact 1

If a site is located near the coast there is potential increased risk of flooding.

The mitigation for this would be to review flood defences around coastal landfill sites and to produce a flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 2

Localised impact on groundwater levels and artesian pressures as tidal reach can extend 10km to 20km inland.

The mitigation for this could include:

• consideration of tidal reach or rise and fall on aquifer pressure during well drilling
• a potential increase in the loss control measures required

Drier summers

Summers could see potentially up to 40% less rain than now.

Impact 1

Potential for dust emissions at well sites.

The mitigation for this would be:

• making sure measures are in place to review and minimise water use and to maximise collection and use of rainfall, including rainwater harvesting
• deployment of dust suppression systems as required

Impact 2

Significant impact may be where operations (such as hydraulic fracturing) require significant water resources which are in short supply both locally and nationally.

Mitigation for this would include:

• making sure mains or recycled water capacity is adequate, taking into account reduced availability for activities such as well stimulation dust suppression and firefighting
• reviewing supply with mains water provider
• considering alternative no water or low water well stimulation techniques and technologies

Impact 3

Increased risk of fires, including wildfires in surrounding area.

The mitigation for this would include:

• provision, testing and maintenance of fire detection and prevention measures on site
• linking in with the local resilience forum or local fire authority to understand potential impacts from off-site risk

River flow

The flow in the watercourses could be 50% more than now at its peak, and 80% less than now at its lowest.

Impact 1

During periods of high rainfall, river flow could inhibit surface water drainage and lead to localised flooding.

The mitigation would include:

• reviewing the environmental risk assessment undertaken for discharge to water from on-site drainage
• checking the existing environmental risk assessment to make sure low river flow used in the assessment remains valid – if not, discuss with the Environment Agency (local site inspector and water quality team) and do an updated environmental risk assessment
• reviewing and improving discharge parameters if added impact is predicted for the receiving watercourse

Storms

Storms could see a change in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall, and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme storm impacts

Impact 1

Storms and high winds could damage buildings and other structures, such as tall infrastructure, with the potential to increase fugitive dust & odour emissions.

The mitigation for this could include:

• reviewing the design of vulnerable structures and buildings
• reviewing wind loading calculations, providing reinforcement if necessary
• maintaining building integrity