44.
Two gas pipelines cross the East Anglia Zone, the BBL Balgzand- Bacton gas pipeline running east-west 12km north of East Anglia THREE, and the Bacton – Zeebrugge gas interconnector running northwest to southeast which passes through the offshore cable corridor (Figure 18.2 and Table 18.14). An additional five pipelines run from Bacton to the platforms and wells in the northern area of the East Anglia Zone, three for the previously mentioned gas wells, and two for oil wells. Additional pipelines also exist to the immediate north of the East Anglia Zone associated with the concentration of oil and gas activity in this region.
45.
There is regular helicopter traffic that transports crew between North Sea oil and gas platforms and the mainland. Some of this traffic currently travels through the East Anglia Zone as discussed in Chapter 16 Aviation and MOD. There is also shipping traffic associated with oil and gas infrastructure that occurs in the Zone, as discussed in Chapter 15 Shipping and Navigation.
18.5.4 Oil and Gas Licence Areas 46.
For the purpose of oil and gas licensing, the UK continental shelf (UKCS) is divided into quadrants and blocks. Different types of licence for particular blocks, or part blocks, are issued by DECC through competitive annual Seaward Licensing Rounds under the Petroleum Act 1998 (as amended).
47.
There are a number of different licences within and in close proximity to the East Anglia THREE site and the offshore cable corridor. These are shown in Figure 18.2 along with licence blocks available under the 28th round.
48.
Currently the following licenced blocks overlap with the proposed East Anglia THREE project: 53/9, 53/10, 53/6a, 53/4, 53/15, 53/11a 53/19a and 53/20a, all of which were licenced to Jetex Petroleum Ltd, in the 27th round of leasing.
49.
Jetex Petroleum Ltd are carrying out gas exploration activities within these licence blocks under “Promote Licences”, which may be converted to “Traditional Licences” to continue operations in the future.
50. On 24th January 2014, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) invited applications for Licences in the 28th Seaward Licensing Round. The award of licence blocks is anticipated in Autumn 2014 and this section of the PEIR will be updated in the Environmental Statement for the DCO application once these awards have been made.
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 18 Infrastructure and other users Page 22
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44