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Dieren en planten

Water en land

Mens en Milieu

Pollution   Visual pollution   
Platform with white (L) and green light (R), NAM

Illuminating drilling platforms

Illuminating drilling platforms at night is important for guarding, inspecting and maintaining the installations. However, this illumination has influence on migrating birds. Birds are attracted to these marine 'Christmas trees'. It is misleading, which can cost them precious energy supplies. Potential risk groups are songbirds, ducks, geese, waders and gulls. Studies have shown that green and blue light attract birds much less than white light.

  • Decreasing illumination

    The Dutch oil exploration and production company NAM did a study in 1998 on decreasing the light radiation on its drilling platforms. The study showed that by using adapted and protected lamps, the light radiation (and thereby the attractive force of the platform for the birds) declined. Another recommendation was to avoid flaring off gas at night.
    In 2004, Hanneke Poot from the University of Amsterdam finished a study on the effects of platform illumination on migrating birds. She discovered that white light as used on the platforms influenced 80% of the birds. Blue and green light gave the best results, attracting only 5% of the birds. The NAM has informed other colleague organisations about this new insight and hopes they will adapt the platforms. One result is the start of an experiment by TNO in 2006 providing the Ameland pier with green lamps. They are also studying the reaction of the public.