The Influence of Man-made Structures in the North Sea (INSITE) Synthesis and Assessment of Phase 1
The first phase of the INSITE (Influence of man-made Structures In The Ecosystem) Programme evolved from the Oil & Gas UK’s Decommissioning Baseline Joint Industry Project JIP (2011-2012) aiming to gather knowledge and experience on decommissioning of offshore structures.
The JIP concluded that there was a serious lack of data to describe the influence of man-made structures (MMS) on the North Sea (NS) ecosystem.
In 2013 Oil & Gas UK facilitated the creation of an environmental JIP to improve scientific knowledge on the influence of MMS across all aspects of the NS ecosystem. The overall question was: Has the physical presence of MMS had any discernable ecological effect over the past 40-50 years? The research aim of INSITE was to determine the cumulative effect of MMS and compare this with effects of natural variability and other stressors of the NS region, e.g., river and atmospheric pollution, and climate change.
The industry agreement to fund Phase 1 of INSITE (The Foundation Phase) was signed in April 2014. This Phase is being funded by a group of eight international energy companies: BP, Centrica, CNR International, ExxonMobil, Marathon Oil, Shell, Talisman–Sinopec, and Total. The first research contracts were awarded in December 2015. Phase 1 of INSITE terminated in December 2017.
Principal Investigator:
INSITE Independent Scientific Advisory Board
Organisation:
INSITE
The independent scientific advisory board (ISAB) is responsible for ensuring that the Programme delivers the highest quality science.
Current Members are:
Assoc. Professor Torgeir Bakke (Chair), Norwegian Institute for Water Research
Professor John Shepherd, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton
Professor Jan de Leeuw, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and University of Utrecht
Professor Karen Wiltshire, Alfred Wegener Institute and University of Bremen
Professor Henk Brinkhuis, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and University of Utrecht
blog
INSITE focuses on North Sea biodiversity for first in webinar series
INSITE, the independent science programme examining the effects of manmade structures on the ecology of the North Sea, is launching a series of free webinars.
+ Read Moreblog
New podcast furthers the debate on man-made structures in the North Sea
A new podcast explores the growing interest in and research about man-made structures in the North Sea.
+ Read Moreblog
All at sea with Boaty McBoatface
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is conducting research with robot submarine Autosub Long Range (ALR), better known as ‘Boaty McBoatface’.
+ Read Moreblog
SIME 2022 in Edinburgh look back
We were thrilled to return to Edinburgh for an in person Structures in the Marine Environment conference once again.
+ Read MoreKEEP UP TO DATE
Follow INSITE North Sea on all our social channels, to stay up to date with all our latest news and opportunities
