Functional design for modification of offshore gas platform to manage bird nuisance: case in Mahakam Delta, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Since 2014 offshore un-manned gas platforms near Mahakam Delta have been used by hundreds of egrets sleeping/roosting sites, causing nuisance. The objective of the research was to formulate a management plan in general and to plan a functional construction design to modify the existing construction in order to control the bird nuisance. Field visits were conducted in August 2019 and February 2020 to the gas platform complex (i.e. Dx, TMP-2, D), focusing on Dx Platform, of which its operation will be terminated soon. Basically, Dx Platform will be modified as egret’s roosting site. Attractants need to be constructed on Dx Platform, while deterrents should be placed on other adjacent platforms (D and TMP-2). Some suggested attractants are appropriate perch-sites, construction of cover (from strong sea-wind), provision of twigs and branches as nest material, as well as the provision of shallow water and food (fish). Suggestions for deterrents on other platforms are spikes, wire, and some other innovative mechanical/physical devices, and all are tailor-made for platforms. In addition to the Dx Platform modification, in the long term, the root cause of the bird nuisance needs to be tackled, namely the restoration of Mahakam Delta from excessive fish/shrimp ponds development.