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Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report

Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report
Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report
This report presents the results from the SERPENT project collaborative research with Chevron at the
Rosebank deep-water exploration site. SERPENT visited the Stena Carron drill ship in the Faroe Shetland
Channel (FSC) to investigate megafaunal diversity at the seabed (1124m depth) and determine the effects of
disturbance resulting from the drilling activities on the seabed and benthic organisms.
The Magnum 156 remotely operated vehicle (ROV), was used to take eight video transects of at least 100m
in length which were used to assess visually the extent of drill cuttings and to determine megafaunal
densities. Sediment samples were also collected using ROV operated push cores at 250 and 400m from the
well to determine heavy metal concentrations, total organic matter and particle size distribution.
These methods suggested disturbance was variable depending on heading but drill cuttings completely
covered the seabed 70m from the well and there was partial coverage to approximately 100m. Analysis of
the sediment showed elevated Barium concentration in surface sediments close to the well. These physical
changes were associated with significant reductions in megafaunal abundance and changes in the
megafaunal community structure, with very few animals observed in a 60m radius of the well.
In addition, specimens of the characteristic megafauna were collected and physical data from the water
column was logged. An experiment was carried out to investigate bioturbation rate in disturbed and
undisturbed sediment. Luminophore tracer particles were added to the sediment surface in corrals which
were either controls or treated with a sedimentation disturbance event. The sediment was later sampled and
sectioned for subsequent analysis.
81
National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Jones, D.O.B.
44fc07b3-5fb7-4bf5-9cec-78c78022613a
Roterman, C.N.
7169c257-5fd7-4c20-87b5-ee38c72ea140
Gates, A.R.
327a3cc6-2e53-4090-9f96-219461087be9
Jones, D.O.B.
44fc07b3-5fb7-4bf5-9cec-78c78022613a
Roterman, C.N.
7169c257-5fd7-4c20-87b5-ee38c72ea140
Gates, A.R.
327a3cc6-2e53-4090-9f96-219461087be9

Jones, D.O.B., Roterman, C.N. and Gates, A.R. (2010) Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report (National Oceanography Centre Southampton Research and Consultancy Report, 81) Southampton, UK. National Oceanography Centre Southampton 48pp.

Record type: Monograph (Project Report)

Abstract

This report presents the results from the SERPENT project collaborative research with Chevron at the
Rosebank deep-water exploration site. SERPENT visited the Stena Carron drill ship in the Faroe Shetland
Channel (FSC) to investigate megafaunal diversity at the seabed (1124m depth) and determine the effects of
disturbance resulting from the drilling activities on the seabed and benthic organisms.
The Magnum 156 remotely operated vehicle (ROV), was used to take eight video transects of at least 100m
in length which were used to assess visually the extent of drill cuttings and to determine megafaunal
densities. Sediment samples were also collected using ROV operated push cores at 250 and 400m from the
well to determine heavy metal concentrations, total organic matter and particle size distribution.
These methods suggested disturbance was variable depending on heading but drill cuttings completely
covered the seabed 70m from the well and there was partial coverage to approximately 100m. Analysis of
the sediment showed elevated Barium concentration in surface sediments close to the well. These physical
changes were associated with significant reductions in megafaunal abundance and changes in the
megafaunal community structure, with very few animals observed in a 60m radius of the well.
In addition, specimens of the characteristic megafauna were collected and physical data from the water
column was logged. An experiment was carried out to investigate bioturbation rate in disturbed and
undisturbed sediment. Luminophore tracer particles were added to the sediment surface in corrals which
were either controls or treated with a sedimentation disturbance event. The sediment was later sampled and
sectioned for subsequent analysis.

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More information

Published date: July 2010
Additional Information: Deposited at the authors request
Organisations: Marine Biogeochemistry

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 160967
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/160967
PURE UUID: 094b9f0f-41fb-4d8d-9ad6-baed63ef8dfa

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Date deposited: 21 Jul 2010 15:39
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 01:58

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Contributors

Author: D.O.B. Jones
Author: C.N. Roterman
Author: A.R. Gates

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