Environmental impact assessment (EIA) for building of well at Suneta gas field

Abstract

For any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is the prerequisite condition. If it suggests furthering clear assessment then EIA is must for that case. The IEE & EIA are the requirements of Department of Environment (DOE) for issuing the site clearance and environmental clearance respectively for the project. For any red category project EIA is mandatory. This EIA report has been prepared as per Terms of Reference (TOR) and the guidelines of DOE for exploratory well drilling project at the newly discovered Sunetra Structure. In general, Drilling has temporary environmental impact compared to that of the other industrial projects. Among other topics, identification of potential impacts with mitigation measures, and an Environment Management Plan is included may be achieved through use of best management practices as well as mitigation procedures and controls which will have minimum adverse impacts on the environment. This project is focusing on the real condition of the area, the people who will be affected and how the mitigation measures should be applied. It is also disseminating the findings from public consultations, expectations of the people, economic development and potential negative impacts etc. This EIA report is introducing the natural physical resources available in the project area, present status and location, project components and phase etc. EIA report is also suggesting the Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan, Environment Safety Management System Process, Health, Environment and Safety Management Plan, Environmental Monitoring parameters measurement cost etc. Reconnaissance and follow-up site visits were made and information was collected on baseline conditions and the stakeholders' response on preset questionnaires/ checklist as per DOE guideline. Public awareness campaign was also made through key informant interview. Other environmental and socio-economic, agro-climatic and meteorological data were collected from DOE and concerned authorities and other IEE & EIA reports of relevance. It can be said that the drilling project will maintain standard quality of implementation of the programmed with due consideration to standing rules and regulations. The project may be considered viable from the environmental point of view and therefore be considered for implementation by appropriate authorities. It has been recommended that, environmental clearance may be issued in favor of Sunetra Structure for execution of the project as scheduled.