PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR …environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Online/TOR/0_0_26_Aug... · Prepared for: Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited Lakshmi Chambers',

Prepared for:

Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited

Lakshmi Chambers', 192, St. Mary's Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018,

Tamil Nadu, India

Prepared by:

SENES Consultants India Pvt. Ltd.

August, 2014

PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR

Environmental Clearance for 6 Developmental Wells,

GGS, Pipeline and GPP in the Block AAP-ON-94/1

Dirok, Assam

ToR for Environmental Clearance for 6 Developmental Wells, GGS, Pipeline and GPP

in the Block AAP-ON-94/1Dirok, Assam

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1

1.1 Objectives of the EIA Study .......................................................................................... 1

1.2 Structure of The ToR ..................................................................................................... 2

2 Project Overview ...........................................................................................................2

2.1 Scope of Environment Impact Assessment ................................................................... 2

2.2 Overview of the Project ................................................................................................. 2

3 Environmental & Social Baseline Studies .....................................................................3

3.1 Understanding of Project area ........................................................................................ 3

3.2 Study Area ..................................................................................................................... 3

3.3 Primary Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 4

3.4 Targeted Surveys and Studies ........................................................................................ 5

3.4.1 Ecological Survey ................................................................................................ 5

3.4.2 Socioeconomic Analysis ...................................................................................... 6

4 Impact Assessment.........................................................................................................6

4.1 Impact Identification ...................................................................................................... 7

4.2 Impact Prediction ........................................................................................................... 7

4.3 Impact Evaluation .......................................................................................................... 7

5 Environment Safeguards ................................................................................................7

5.1 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) ...................................................................... 8

5.2 Environmental Monitoring Strategy .............................................................................. 8

6 EIA Reporting ................................................................................................................8

List of Tables

Table 3.1: Details of Monitoring Program for Environmental Components .............................4

Table 3.2: Details of Ecological Survey of the Study Area .......................................................6

List of Figures

Figure 3.1: Study Area for EIA..................................................................................................9

Figure 3.2: Air, Noise and Meteorology Monitoring Location Map .......................................10

Figure 3.3: Soil and Water Monitoring Location Map ............................................................11

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August, 2014 1 HOEC

1 Introduction

Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited (HOEC) has drilled exploratory & appraisal

wells in AAP-ON-94/1 Block in Tinsukia District Assam during exploration stage. HOEC

now intends to carryout, the following activities as a part of Dirok Field Development.

Three drilled wells will be put on production;

Three new development wells will be drilled and completed for production.

Setting up of Gas Gathering Station (GGS)

Setting up a Gas Processing Plant (GPP)

Two parallel pipelines (High Pressure & Low Pressure) shall be laid to transport

the unprocessed natural gas from the manifold at the GGS to the GPP and

processed natural gas shall be transported from the GPP to the sales gas offtake

point at Kusijan

The proposed project activity falls under the Activity of offshore and onshore oil and gas

exploration, development & production [categorized as 1(b)] vide Notification dated 14th

September, 2006 which have to take environment clearance from the Central level based on

appraisal of EIA as per the EIA Notification promulgated by the Ministry of Environment and

Forests (MoEF) in September, 2006. To initiate the environmental clearance (EC) process,

HOEC has to submit Form-1 of the EIA Notification along with a Terms of Reference (ToR)

for the EIA for approval by the MoEF before undertaking the EIA study.

SENES Consultants India Pvt. Ltd. has been assigned by HOEC to undertake the

environmental analysis and document the same as an Environment Impact Assessment report

so that HOEC obtain necessary environmental clearance from regulatory authorities in India.

This draft Term of Reference (ToR) intends to set the scope of the EIA study as per the EC

process.

The intention of the proposed EIA is to support the project for obtaining necessary

environmental clearance from the MoEF. In this perspective, SENES would strive to fulfill the

project objectives delineated in the section below.

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY

The overall objectives of the EIA study will be as follows:

Establish the prevailing baseline environmental and socio-economic condition of the

project site and its surroundings

Assess environmental, socio-economic and health impacts arising out of the

construction and operation of proposed wells, GGS and pipeline and associated

activities

Recommend appropriate preventive and mitigation measures to minimize pollution,

environmental and social disturbances during the life-cycle of the project;



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Integrate mitigative measures with existing HSE program of HOEC so that they can

be implemented, monitored and suitable corrective action can be taken in case of

deviations;

Identify residual and cumulative impacts that may arise from the project and suggest

suitable measures to minimize them.

1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE TOR

This ToR has been prepared to assist in undertaking the EIA study within the ambit of an

established and agreed upon scope and in a systematic and structured manner. The draft ToR

would be submitted to MoEF for approval of the scope for the EIA study. The other key

purpose of the ToR is to identify the key issues for the Environmental Baseline Monitoring,

Impact Assessment Methodologies and developing Mitigation Measures at a later stage.

The ToR is structured as follows

Section 2: Project Overview

Section 3: Environmental and Social Baseline Studies

Section 4: Impact Assessment

Section 5: Environment Safeguards

Section 6: EIA Reporting

2 Project Overview

2.1 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The EIA report shall be prepared in accordance with the following Terms of Reference based

on the EIA Notification (14th

September 2006) and any other legislation and notification which

may apply to the Project. The EIA report will:

a) Assist the public and government in understanding the environmental and socio-

economic consequences of the Project’s construction and operation plans,

b) Address:

i. Project impacts;

ii. Mitigation options; and

iii. Residual effects relevant to the assessment of the project

2.2 OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT

This section of the EIA report will provide an overview of the project in terms of:

Regional Setting

Project Accessibility and Transport Linkage

Project Area

Water requirement & sourcing.



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Solid waste generation and its management procedure

Source of Power Supply

A map of the project area highlighting location of the project will be provided in the EIA

Report.

3 Environmental & Social Baseline Studies

3.1 UNDERSTANDING OF PROJECT AREA

To provide an understanding of the project area the EIA study will involve reconnaissance

visits and compilation of secondary information present as following.

Location of the proposed well sites, GGS and pipeline

Location of settlements in the vicinity

Location of sensitive environmental receptors in the project area

Land use of the area and its vicinity

Location of the sensitive ecosystem and wildlife habitat

Drainage network of the area and its vicinity

Existing transport infrastructure (e.g., roads/ railways)

3.2 STUDY AREA

More intensive data collection will be conducted within the study area i.e. area with a radius

of about 10 km around the center of the proposed wells which may be impacted by the

operation of the development activity (Fig. 3.1). In addition to that, 500 m buffer area along

the entire stretch of the proposed pipeline would also be included under the study area. An

area of 2 km around the GPP would also be included under the study area. This delineation

has been done based on the nature of the project and also after gaining understanding of the

surrounding areas through the initial reconnaissance surveys. During the course of the study,

if the need is felt, a flexible approach will be taken to expand the study area further. The

following features will be considered within the study area:

Present land use of site and in the study area (delineated forest area, agricultural land,

wildlife sanctuary, human settlement, etc)

Topography in the study area

Sensitive Environmental Resources: Sensitive Natural Habitats

Surface water resources and drainage network in the project site and study area

Ground water resources in the project site and study area

Details of the physical and socio-economic features along with manmade structures

Road Network



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Proneness to Natural Disasters

Sensitive Social Resources: Human habitats, Public Utilities, Valuable Common

Property Resources.

The sites and the surrounding study areas would be depicted on GIS maps through satellite

imagery to help understanding the status of environment and impacts. The following section

details out the Sampling Plan for the study.

3.3 PRIMARY MONITORING

The sampling plan for primary monitoring will be drawn up based on the findings of the

reconnaissance survey and the understanding of the proposed project activities. The sampling

plan will also take into consideration of receptor locations that could potentially be affected by

the proposed activities. The monitoring stations and sampling locations for each environmental

component along with the parameters to be monitored, frequency and number of samples to be

taken are presented in the environmental matrix given in Table 3.1.

TABLE 3.1: DETAILS OF MONITORING PROGRAM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS

Component Meteorology

No. of Stations 1 Station

Frequency & Duration One season

Parameters Wind speed, Wind Direction, Rainfall, Temperature, Relative Humidity &

Cloud Cover

Locations Dirok Tea Estate

Component Air Quality

No. of Stations 8 Stations

Frequency & Duration 24hrs / 8 hrs, 2 times a week for one season (excluding monsoon)

Parameters PM 10, SO2, NO2, Methane Hydrocarbon, non methane hydrocarbon, VOC

Locations Dirok Tea garden colony 1, Likhajan Tea garden colony, Dirok Tea

garden colony 2, Margherita tea garden colony 1, Margherita tea garden

colony 2, Namdang Tea Garden labour Lines, Golai Basti, Balijan

Component Surface Water Quality

No. of Stations 4 samples

Frequency & Duration Grab sample – once in the season

Parameters

Color, pH, Total Dissolve Solids, Total suspended Solids, Oil and Grease,

DO, BOD, COD, chlorides, sulphates, Total hardness, Salinity (Na)

Salinity (K), Lead, Iron, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Total Coliforms,

Faecal Coliforms

Locations Burhi Dihing River downstream of project site, Burhi Dihing River

upstream of project site, Ongchap Jang nala, Likhajan Nala



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Component Ground Water Quality

No. of Stations 6 samples (From Open Wells, Dug Wells & Tube Wells in Villages)


Parameters Color, Odor, Taste, pH, Turbidity, Total hardness, Iron, Chloride,

Residual free chlorine, Dissolved solids, Nitrates, Fluoride, Cadmium,

Lead, Arsenic

Locations Dirok Tea garden colony 1, Likhajan Tea garden colony, Dirok Tea

garden colony 2, Margherita tea garden colony , Margherita tea garden

colony 2, Golai Basti,

Component Soil Quality

No. of Stations 5 samples


Parameters Texture, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Cation Exchange Capacity Porosity,

Water Holding Capacity, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Nitrogen,

Phosphorous, Potassium (NPK) Values, Copper, Zinc.

Locations Tea garden and agricultural land areas that may be affected by

construction of drill sites, GGS and pipeline

Component Ambient Noise

No. of Stations 8 Stations (Sensitive receptors around the proposed site, residential,

commercial and industrial zones)

Frequency & Duration Once in the season over 24 Hours (daytime / night time)

Parameters Equivalent sound level in dB (A) – Leq and Lmax

Locations

Dirok Tea garden colony 1, Likhajan Tea garden colony, Dirok Tea

garden colony 2, Margherita tea garden colony 1, Margherita tea garden

colony 2, Namdang Tea Garden labour Lines, Golai Basti, Balijan

Proposed Monitoring Location Map of air, noise, traffic and met is enclosed in Figure. 3.2 and

soil and water monitoring locations are shown in Figure 3.3

3.4 TARGETED SURVEYS AND STUDIES

3.4.1 Ecological Survey

The ecological profile of the area would be drawn up based on secondary data review and

primary field surveys. Secondary data will be obtained from Forest Department and local

people. Preliminary studies show that Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary and Upper Dihing

Reserve Forest are located within 10 km of the centre of the well sites.

The primary data relating to flora, fauna, livestock and agricultural diversity of the area will be

generated by visiting the site area and its surroundings. The study area will be delineated as the

area with 10 km. radius around the proposed site. The baseline surveys will be carried out to

determine the existing environmental conditions and to facilitate an adequate assessment of the



August, 2014 6 HOEC

Project’s impacts upon ecology and the development of appropriate mitigation measures.

Efforts will also be made to find protected species in the area which can be of conservation

importance. The ecological survey plan is presented below in Table 3.2

TABLE 3.2: DETAILS OF ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE STUDY AREA

3.4.2 Socioeconomic Analysis

Assessment of the socioeconomic profile forms an integral part of any EIA Study. The baseline

socioeconomic scenario will focus on demographic structure, economic activity, education,

literacy profile, infrastructure facilities of the villages located within the study area. Secondary

data for this purpose will be utilized from Census of India, 2001 and 2011 (as available).

Socioeconomic profiling will involve diagnosis of baseline status of the villages of the study

area in relation to human environment with respect to:

Socio-Cultural resources - which refer to demographic structure, total population,

density, housing, sex ratio, literacy, employment level and cultural facilities

Infrastructure resources - refer to educational facilities, health services,

transportation, water supply, communication, other service etc.

4 Impact Assessment

The EIA study will aim to identify, characterize and evaluate potential impacts arising out of

the project and prioritize them so that they can be effectively addressed through Environment

Management Plans and Project designing and planning.

Terrestrial Ecosystem

Forest Resources Delineated Forest (Reserve Forest, Protected Forest, etc.), scrub forest,

village forest.

Vegetation Survey Forest types and vegetation cover with the help of Satellite image and field

surveys

General vegetation survey of plants, their relative abundance and

identification of endangered and threatened species

Quantitative analysis of vegetation by using Transect and quadrant method

Wildlife Habitat

Survey Sanctuaries, Elephant Reserve.

Migratory habitat, migratory path/corridor (viz. elephant corridors)

Terrestrial

Wildlife Survey Survey of mammals, birds, reptiles and relative abundances, identification of

endangered and threatened species in the study area

Aquatic Ecosystem

Aquatic Habitat

Survey Survey of aquatic habitat in the habitat in the study area

Aquatic Flora &

Fauna Survey Survey of aquatic macrophytes, Aquatic fauna and their relative abundances

Plankton survey Sampling of analysis of relative abundance of plankton and analysis in the

representative locations.



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4.1 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION

The preliminary identification of the potential impacts will be carried out based on the

understanding of the project gained during the scoping exercise and field visit, consultation

with representatives of the project proponent and professional judgment of the SENES team.

4.2 IMPACT PREDICTION

Environmental and socioeconomic impacts would be predicted based on baseline conditions on

site, professional judgment and by using network methodology. The quantitative prediction

would be carried out for air and noise quality status.

Short-term impact on ambient air quality due to air emissions from multiple sources (from

moving source) such as aircrafts, surface vehicles and point sources such as DG Sets will be

predicted using relevant models.

Noise during constructional and operational phase is generated by construction equipments,

DG Sets and vehicular traffic. Suitable model will be chosen for predicting the increase in

noise levels. Noise contours showing the areas and the number of dwellings exposed to various

noise levels will be shown clearly.

Impacts resulting from ground water cutting and depletion will be assessed. Surface runoff

from the proposed site and its impact on surface water resources and adjacent agricultural land

will be undertaken. Also socioeconomic surveys of stakeholders will be carried out to predict

socio-economic and health impacts.

4.3 IMPACT EVALUATION

An environmental matrix will be developed to formally present an overview of the predicted

impacts. The matrix structure will take into account the environmental issues as well as the

concerns of the community.

The first step in the elaboration of the matrix will consist of defining the main activities or

aspects of the project that possibly can generate negative or positive impacts through extensive

consultations with representatives of the project proponent. The second steps will aim at

establishing a list of environmental elements (biophysical and human) found in the project

area. Potential interrelations between the impact sources and these elements will be established

to identify the impact.

5 Environment Safeguards



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The EIA study would prepare guidelines for mitigating any adverse impact identified due to

the proposed project. The site specific mitigation plan will specifically address impacts that

would be generated as a result of the proposed project.

5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will recommend specific, structured and

targeted management plans to mitigate the significant impacts and bring them to a level that

would be acceptable to both the regulatory authorities and the community. The EMP will be

formulated in close cooperation with the client team to delineate action plans that are

economically feasible. The EMP would be laid down in a manner that the plans can be

integrated with the proponent’s existing environment management measures. The EMP

would also include recommendations for necessary pollution prevention, control as well as

conservation and compensatory measures. In addition, a systematic environmental

monitoring plan for assessing the adequacy of the mitigation measures and for understanding

changes in environmental quality due to the proposed project would also be part of the EMP.

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING STRATEGY

To measure the effectiveness of the implementation of the EMP a monitoring strategy (Plan)

for activities during construction phase and also during the post construction phase will be

prepared. The Plan must include the monitoring activities and corresponding schedules.

6 EIA Reporting

Reporting on all activities conducted during the project will be prepared, collated and

submitted in the form of an EIA Report. The report will include supporting documents as

necessary, a list of findings, impacts and proposed mitigation measures. Following would be

the structure of the report as per the guideline set by the EIA 2006 Notification:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Description of Project

Description of Environment

Impact Assessment

Environmental Management Plan & Framework

Environmental Monitoring Program

Disclosure of Consultants

The draft EIA report would be further finalized by incorporating comments and views obtained

from different stakeholders during the public hearing and through letters/ representations

before being submitted to the appraisal committee. Annexed to the report, there would also be

the notes and proceedings of the public hearing, list of references and other relevant

documents, photographs etc.



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FIGURE 3.1: STUDY AREA FOR EIA



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FIGURE 3.2: AIR, NOISE AND METEOROLOGY MONITORING LOCATION MAP



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FIGURE 3.3: SOIL AND WATER MONITORING LOCATION MAP

Documents

PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR …environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Online/TOR/0_0_26_Aug... · Prepared for: Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited Lakshmi Chambers',