Chapter 1
Introduction to the Concepts and Use
of ERA Acute
Abstract Introducing the main concepts of ERA Acute, this chapter describes the
overall framework and purpose of the methodology. ERA Acute is a recently developed oil spill risk assessment (OSRA) methodology for quantification of oil spill
impacts and risk (Environmental Risk Assessment, ERA). It covers four environmental compartments; sea surface (seabirds, turtles, marine mammals), water column
(fish eggs/larvae), shoreline and seafloor (species and habitats) using continuous
impact functions and introduces the Resource Damage Factor (RDF). The methodology depends on external oil spill modelling and input data related to the presence and vulnerability of Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs). ERA Acute is
developed to provide an improvement over the currently used “MIRA” method
on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and is better suited for risk management, decision-making and analyses from screening studies to full environmental
risk assessments.
Keywords ERA Acute concept · ERA Acute input data · Environmental
compartments · Environmental risk assessment · Environmental risk management
1.1 Why the Need for a New Methodology?
Environmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) are a crucial part of planning and execution
of offshore oil and gas (O&G) activities and are important in supporting the O&G
industry in environmental risk management (ERM) of their operations worldwide.
In varying regulatory frameworks, operators must ensure overall high environmental
performance, whether it is in applications for permits, or in planning or operation
of activities where there is a risk of an accidental oil spill. Quantitative ERAs of
acute oil spills at different levels of detail are used to support decision-makers in
complying with regulations, e.g. for activity applications and planning processes for
oil spill response.
Several ERA models, assessing potential impact and risk from an acute oil spill,
exist and are available for global use. A recent overview of some applicable models
© The Author(s) 2021
C. Stephansen et al., Assessing Environmental Risk of Oil Spills with ERA Acute,
SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70176-5_1
1
Introduction to the Concepts and Use
of ERA Acute
Abstract Introducing the main concepts of ERA Acute, this chapter describes the
overall framework and purpose of the methodology. ERA Acute is a recently developed oil spill risk assessment (OSRA) methodology for quantification of oil spill
impacts and risk (Environmental Risk Assessment, ERA). It covers four environmental compartments; sea surface (seabirds, turtles, marine mammals), water column
(fish eggs/larvae), shoreline and seafloor (species and habitats) using continuous
impact functions and introduces the Resource Damage Factor (RDF). The methodology depends on external oil spill modelling and input data related to the presence and vulnerability of Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs). ERA Acute is
developed to provide an improvement over the currently used “MIRA” method
on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and is better suited for risk management, decision-making and analyses from screening studies to full environmental
risk assessments.
Keywords ERA Acute concept · ERA Acute input data · Environmental
compartments · Environmental risk assessment · Environmental risk management
1.1 Why the Need for a New Methodology?
Environmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) are a crucial part of planning and execution
of offshore oil and gas (O&G) activities and are important in supporting the O&G
industry in environmental risk management (ERM) of their operations worldwide.
In varying regulatory frameworks, operators must ensure overall high environmental
performance, whether it is in applications for permits, or in planning or operation
of activities where there is a risk of an accidental oil spill. Quantitative ERAs of
acute oil spills at different levels of detail are used to support decision-makers in
complying with regulations, e.g. for activity applications and planning processes for
oil spill response.
Several ERA models, assessing potential impact and risk from an acute oil spill,
exist and are available for global use. A recent overview of some applicable models
© The Author(s) 2021
C. Stephansen et al., Assessing Environmental Risk of Oil Spills with ERA Acute,
SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70176-5_1
1