OREANDA-NEWS. On July 06, 2007 Sakhalin Energy met with representatives of WWF, IFAW and Vernadsky Foundation and presented the company’s noise monitoring and whales sighting data for the past two weeks, reported the press-centre of Sakhalin Energy.

Also present at the meeting were OAO Gazprom representative and Head of Ocean Noise Laboratory of Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Dr. A. Vedenev.

This meeting was arranged to respond to allegations by these environmental organisations that excessive noise from the Piltun-Astokhskoye – B (PA-B) installation completed on July 5th had possibly caused the displacement of some Western Grey Whales from a part of their feeding area, which Sakhalin Energy strongly denies.

At the meeting WWF and IFAW reported that their concerns were based on feedback from their teams at Piltun, who, in the period of 30 June - 3 July, heard some airborne mechanical noises coming from the direction of PA-B site. Airborn noise as this is not recorded, nor measured. Underwater and airborne noises are quite different in their characteristics.

The PA-B platform was installed and the float-over operation successfully completed on the morning of 5th July 2007. The Company underwater noise data, presented to the NGOs, was obtained from real time acoustic monitoring equipment and several observers on location throughout the sequence of events from 23 June to 4 July. It shows that there has been no breach of the noise criteria, which Sakhalin Energy had adopted.

The marine mammal observation team confirms that when visual conditions permitted (no fog) whales have as usual been sighted feeding in the area. The company’s activities in installing PA-B platform topsides had no discernable impact on the endangered Western Grey Whale population.

Although WWF and IFAW did not present any data at the meeting, they expressed their opinion that whales had left the area immediately closest to the PA-B platform. Sakhalin observation data which was presented clearly indicates that whales were recorded in the area during this period when visual observations were possible.

“Noise levels have not risen above the thresholds that Sakhalin Energy has set for this operation. The acoustic buoys provide a reliable indication of the intensity of industrial noise and the extent of its reach,” says Melanie Austin, one of the acousticians working in the north of Sakhalin to monitor Sakhalin Energy’s offshore operations.

Sakhalin Energy Corporate Environmental Manager, Doug Bell adds: “Sakhalin Energy has set strict noise criteria for marine activities above which we would take action to minimize possible impacts on the whales, including, if needed, suspension of work. However to date there has not been any noise above these threshold levels this season. Two years ago we installed the PA-B concrete base structure and that also was done within the recommended criteria and then too there was no discernable impact on the Western Grey Whales.”

Both Sakhalin Energy and the NGOs have agreed to continue constructive dialogue in future. “We might have different understanding and interpretations, but WWF welcomes this meetings as proof of openness”, said Alexey Knizhnikov of WWF.

Grigoriy Tsidulko, IFAW's Marine Mammals Programs Coordinator, agrees with his colleague from WWF, and adds that though there may be difference in opinions, it was good to hear the basis for the Company's position and it was also valuable to speak to its specialists.