IEC were requested to examine existing regulations and practices on fishing over seabed pipelines, then draw from international experiences to present scenarios for Brunei that improve fishing access without compromising safety and operational requirements of the Oil Industry. 

Interviews were held with commercial fishery operators and Department of Fisheries officers to obtain current practices; and details of trawling gear used in Brunei.  Overseas experience, particularly in the North Sea revealed a long established format for determining “trawlability” of pipelines, and Trenching Guidelines to calculate potential damages from trawling gear.  Latest methods for improved safety include warning systems placed on board vessels using GIS location devises to advise of close proximity to the pipelines.

Options suitable for Brunei waters include: changes to pipeline design; new safety factors; modifying fishing gear on vessels; on board warning devises; and marine transponders showing vessel location.  The most appropriate solution is a combination of scenarios which improve safety provisions and instill a “Duty of Care” on fishermen to be aware of the hazards of fishing close to seabed structures.

Results of the investigation will be incorporated into a Strategy Paper describing the way forward for co-incidental use of the seabed by fishermen and the oil companies.