A Summary of Existing and Future Potential Treatments for Reducing Underwater Sounds from Oil and Gas Industry Activities

This paper summarizes the efforts undertaken by the author to identify existing and future potential methods to reduce underwater sound levels created by nearly all oil and gas industry related activities, including sources associated with seismic exploration, construction, transport, drilling, and production. Information was collected from various sources including technical and trade journal articles, contacts with representatives of companies that make or own noise control products and technologies, contacts with members of academia, and data provided directly by members of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP). A workshop was held on June 4-5, 2007 to discuss initial findings and further develop ideas for feasible sound reduction approaches and future methods. This effort was supported and financed by the by the Joint Industry Programme on E&P Sound and Marine Life (www.soundandmarinelife.org).