Environment

i) Responsible and informed

Star Energy recognises the concerns that members of the public may have about how oil production, gas production and gas storage may impact the environment.

We take our environmental responsibilities extremely seriously and strictly adhere to formal Environmental and Safety Management Systems. These systems outline the responsibilities of managers and staff and are administered by full-time Health, Safety and Environment Managers within each of our operating subsidiaries.

Both the Environmental and Safety Management Systems have set goals, objectives and performance standards which are reviewed at least once a year. The company confirms the objectives are met via frequent audit, review and reporting on performance measures. Our operations are also monitored by the Environmental Agency.

This systematic approach ensures total clarity among our workforce with respect to the guidelines we have in place to minimise the environmental impact of our operations. Health, safety and environmental protection is consequently integrated into all of the business activities throughout the company.

ii) Clean operations

We are aware that our oil and gas producing sites are situated in environmentally sensitive areas of Great Britain. We are committed to preserving these landscapes and work closely with planning authorities and local people to minimise the environmental and visual impact of our operations.

Our well bores are located inside specially designated areas whereby any hydrocarbon spill is contained and easily cleaned up without encroaching on the underlying ground. Abandonment of produced fields is undertaken on the basis of returning the landscape to its original condition. We take special care to eradicate any evidence of hydrocarbon extraction activities. In one place, a well being drilled in an area noted for its bird community was suspended for six months in order to avoid disturbing the birds during the crucial nesting season.

A further key planning criterion is the use of natural screens such as trees and soil banks around the oil fields to conceal them from locals and maintain the beauty and integrity of the landscape.