Analysis of environmental impacts and development of environmental management plan for Sinjhoro oil and gas production field Sindh, Pakistan (T-1305) (MFN 4272)

Abstract

An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is site-specific plan developed to ensure that all necessary measures are identified and implemented in order to protect the environment and comply with environmental legislation (World Bank, 1999). The Environmental Management Plan is an important part of EIA. The EMP identifies feasible and cost-effective measures that may reduce potentially significant adverse environmental impacts to acceptable levels. In the undertake study, potential impacts are identified in EIA of the project were chosen for determining the efficacy of mitigation through site survey. For site survey and impact assessment matrix and checklist are used as tools. This study also enables the proponent to take a look at the positive and negative impact of the processes more profoundly and to manage them at the construction phase and/or operation phase. Results of this study provide suitable mitigation measures for the significant negative impacts, environmental condition in the project area and surroundings, to take suitable environmental sustainable actions at operation and construction phases of the project and this study also increase knowledge of general public about the environment and project. This project will have certain impacts in its operational phase on the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of the area. Mostly the impacts are insignificant, short term and only project specific. The few impacts like physical, biological and socio-economic impacts which are significant would be mitigated, prevented and monitored. The proposed production field will not cause major losses or degradation to the natural environment on the area. No archaeological, game reserves, historic, cultural and conservation value are present in the Sinjhoro field. The overall land is considered as the barren piece of land to the Barani land. The overall impacts not cross the NEQS limit. The project is according to the national and international guidelines. No damage to the society and local community is provided by this project; in fact this project will increase the job opportunity and uplift the area. In the context of environmental management, several environmental issues have been identified to require urgent attention. The complete environmental management plan is provided for the physical, biological and socio-economic impacts. The physical aspects for which management plan is provided includes, the land clearance for installing the setup in Sinjhoro field areas, withdrawal of surface and ground water around the vicinity of the project, Trucks loading and unloading, Impacts on geomorphology, Surface and groundwater contamination, and transportation of vibroseis etc. The biological aspect includes the camp establishment, Discharge of effluents and/or emissions, Vibration and noise from machinery. The socio-economic aspect for which management plan is given is interaction with the local community, camp life and activities of workers and running of machines for the production. Departmental awareness and use of EMP may be increased at all the levels. Environmental Management Plan must be incorporated early in the planning stage. Mitigation of negative impacts should be identified early in the planning process, through EMP, and such mitigation should be put in place by the developer or end user. Monitoring should be undertaken to ensure compliance.