DEEP water coral reefs off the west coast of Scotland could be seriously damaged by oil exploration and production, according to marine scientists based near Oban.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science at Dunstaffnage is starting a three-year programme, Managing Impacts in the Marine Environment, which will seek to produce clear guidelines to avoid damaging a unique eco-system.

The debate over possible damage to the environment as oil-related work expands westwards into the Atlantic has been highlighted recently by environmental group Greenpeace who have billeted themselves on Rockall the last outpost between Scotland and America.

But SAMS scientsts lay more emphasis on gathering information so that oil-related work can go ahead without damaging the environment.

SAMS director Graham Shimmield said that their scientists are probably more knowledgeable about the Atlantic Frontier area as anyone because of their work there for the past 18 years.

He said: "We feel we have a reasonable understanding of the deepwater fish and other species but at present rates of research it would take one thousand years to fully explore the area. The science of the impact of oil exploration and development is also at an early stage, so we are undertaking a three year study to ensure that we can work out guide-lines for the industry."

They are already aware of deep water coral in the area which provide a habitat for up to 300 other species.

Mr Shimmield said: "West of Shetland the waters are deeper and colder. West of the Hebrides the water is slightly warmer and deep water coral are found in both areas. These corals have been found all along the Continental margin from Scotland to Norway, and grow about two centimetres a year. Some reefs are thousands of years old and they are a different sort of organism to the coral people are used to seeing near the sea surface in tropical waters.

"Coral are a bit like the rain forest, they support a wide variety of life so it is important that they are not damaged."

The £1.8 million study is being jointly financed by the oil industry and the Environmental Research Council. But Mr Shimmield denied that this would have any influence on their findings.

"The oil industry is not buying the science and using it for their own ends. This work will be in the public domain for everyone to examine and will be used to develop precautionary principles for the oil industry.

"There are dangers from drilling and also from discharges from the oil facilities including oil itself and chemicals and waste associated with drilling, although there is a good chance that much of this will be dispersed by the very strong current and wild weather in the area. But the industry itself is very sensitive and does not want to be seen to be destroying the environment in which it works."