ABSTRACT
There often is much confusion about activities involved in offshore oil and gas development which might potentially result in adverse environmental effects. In the forefront of the minds of most people are, of course, large oil spills. Yet experience has shown that these occur rarely. Smaller accidental oil spills and discharges which are purposely made during normal operations are more pervasive. The regulation of operational discharges has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. What exactly do they consist of, and how much is discharged? Finally, construction and transportation of equipment, materials and product are frequently not considered as causes of adverse environmental effects. What do they entail, and how might they affect the marine environment?
