Environment Management in the Oil-Rich Albertine Graben

7/28/2019 Environment Management in the Oil-Rich Albertine Graben

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ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT IN THE

OIL/GAS RICH ALBERTINE GRABEN(AG)

Presentation to journalist at the Africa Center forMedia Excellence (ACME)

22nd August, 2012

ByDr Tom .O. Okurut

Executive Director, NEMA


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OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

Background: env mgt and the AG

Legal and institutional frameworks

Technical preparednesso Issues and concerns

Required Actions & Interventions


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Environment Mgt in UgandaNEMA was mandated by the Uganda constitution (NEA Cap

153) in 1995 to; coordinate, supervise, monitor and regulate all

matters of the environment in Uganda.

Essentially to regulate the interaction between people and the

environment. This process in Uganda is decentralized, thus the

need for coordination and supervision of stakeholders

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Background to the Albertine Graben (AG)

The AG (Arua-Kanungu) is the most important eco

region in Africa as it hosts the continent's most

endemic vertebrate species i.e.;

14% of all African reptiles

19% of all African amphibians

35% of African butterflies

52% of all African birds 39% of all African mammals

70% of all Ugandan Protected areas are in theGraben


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3N

1N

EA4B LAKES EDWARD-GEORGE BASIN

Size 2,021sq.km

Licensed to Dominion Petroleum Ltd on 27th

July 2007

EA4A LAKES EDWARD-GEORGE BASIN

Size 3,812sq.km

Not Licensed

EA3A SEMLIKI BASIN

Size 1,991sq.km

First licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd as

part of EA3 on 15th January 1997

Re-licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and

Energy Africa (now Tullow Oil) on 8 th Sept 2004.

EA2 LAKE ALBERT BASIN

Size 4,675 sq.km

Licensed to Hardman Resources Ltd and

Enegy Africa Ltd (now Tullow Oil) on 8 th

October 2001.

EA1 PAKWACH BASIN

Size 4,285 sq.kmLicensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and

Energy Africa (now Tullow Oil) 0n 1st July 2004

EA5 RHINO CAMP BASIN

Size 6,040sq.km

Licensed to Neptune Petroleum (U) Ltd ( Now

Tower Resources) on 27th Sept 2005

EA3B SEMLIKI BASIN

Size 1,786 sq.km

Includes Turaco Prospect Area

Not licensed

East Madi Wildlife Reserve

Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve

Semuliki National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Kibale National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Queen Elizabeth NP

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Some of the tourist attractions

(vertebrates) in the AG

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INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE

MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OFOIL & GAS


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The Framework

The current framework for management of oil & gasresource is under a programme called: Strengtheningthe management of oil & gas in Uganda.

The Framework has 3 pillars: Resource management (PEPD),

Revenue Management (MFPED, BOU & URA)

Environment Management (NEMA)


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Environmental Management PillarThe objective of the Environment Management

pillar is:

To contribute towards ensuring that oil/gas activities

are undertaken in a sustainable manner bystrengthening the capacity of the other stakeholdersand overseeing the activities of other players in thepetroleum industry in accordance with Ugandasenvironmental policies.

NEMA remains the coordinator of the Pillar by virtue ofits legal mandate as the principal agency forenvironmental management in Uganda

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Environmental Management Pillar Institutions

Other partner institutions include: Uganda Wildlife Authority

Directorate of Water Resources Management

National Forestry Authority

Directorate of Environmental Affairs Directorate of Physical Planning and Land use

The Department of Fisheries Resources

Districts in the Albertine Graben

These institutions work with other relevantinstitutions and organisations


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INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL PREPAREDNESS FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE GRABEN


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Preparatory Studies & Tools in Place

1. Environmental Sensitivity Atlas for AlbertineGraben

The sensitivity atlas was prepared to show theenvironmental sensitivity of the Albertine Graben.

Issues assessed included biological resources, waterresources, cultural sites, forests, wetlands, soils,

settlements

The information in the sensitivity atlas is the firstbaseline study undertaken for the Graben & forms thebasis for monitoring.

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Environmental Sensitivity Atlas cont.

The sensitivity of biodiversity can be

categorized in terms of endemism and

threatened species, or on species

richness, among other categories

The sensitivity atlas identified the

following sensitivities:

Sensitivity of Mammals to vibrationsfrom seismic survey, movement of

heavy equipment & the drilling activity

Sensitivity of fisheries resources to highfrequency noise from petroleumdevelopment activities; oil spills, &

pollution from hydrocarbon compounds

and chemicals from mud cuttings.

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Sensitivity atlas cont

Sensitivity of plants due to clearingof sites thereby causingdisturbance of vegetation; oil spillsand pollution.

Sensitivity of wetlands due toexposure to potential threats ofexcessive water abstraction,degradation of water catchmentsand wetland conversions.

Sensitivity of water resources(surface & groundwater) effectson quantity and quality e.g. thedelta region (richest in diversity withhighest oil prospects)

Sensitivity of soils soil is prone toerosion due to improper land covermanagement & the erosive factor ofrainfall

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Sensitivity atlas cont

Map shows overallbiodiversity sensitivity,based on animal & plantspecies richness &conservation status.

The delta region, MountRwenzori and Bwindi arethe most sensitive areas;followed by Murchisonfalls, Queen Elizabeth andthe Kibale national Parks.

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Preparatory Studies & Tools in Place

2. Environmental Monitoring Plan for the Graben, 2012Purpose of the Monitoring Plan

This is a monitoring tool developed to be used for continuousmonitoring of changes in the environment of the Graben against

sensitivities identified in the atlas. It is a tool to be used by all the institutions highlighted earlier.

The Plan is expected to:

Improve performance of lead agencies.

Improve compliance levels.

Enhance institutional collaboration.

Encourage stakeholder participation in compliance monitoring.

Enhance national capacity to assess, predict and mitigate likelyeffects of Oil and Gas activities on environment.


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Environmental Monitoring Plan cont

The Monitoring Plan is structured along 5 thematic

areas:

a)Aquatic ecological issues

b)Terrestrial ecological issues

c)Physical/chemical issues

d)Society issues

e)Management and business issues

For each of these themes, specific institutions arecharged with the responsibility of undertaking the

monitoring & reporting


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Environmental Monitoring Plan cont

The following have been undertaken to date: Data gaps in the sensitivity atlas have been identified for

each of the themes & data filling initiated for thebaseline.

Monitoring indicators for each theme have been

developed, prioritized & tested. Monitoring manuals have been developed & are ready

for use.

Capacity needs assessment study was done for each ofthe institutions & both technical & resource (equipment &

finances) needs were identified. A capacity development plan is being put in place


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Environmental Compliance and

Enforcement Activities As required by the

National Environment ActCap 153, all ongoing oil &gas exploration activitieshave been subjected toEnvironmental Impact

Assessment and approvalgranted by NEMA;

Multi-sectoral monitoringteam (executive, technical& field-based) was put inplace to carry out quarterly

monitoring & hasrepresentation from: NEMA, UWA,PEPD, NFA,

DWRM, FD, DEA, DOSH

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Compliance & Enforcement activities cont

NEMA -

opened a temporal field Office in the Albertine Graben in

January 2010 with one staff;

recruited 2 temporary staff to specifically handle oil & gasactivities, to be based in the field;

has proposed to establish a regional office in Hoima to

effectively manage oil and gas issues to cover the entire

Graben


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Compliance and Enforcement Activities Cont

A strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being

carried out for the Albertine Graben, to be completed by

December 2012

Objective of SEA is to ensure that environmental issues are

broadly considered & integrated into major decisions

connected to policy, plans & programs associated with the

oil & gas sector at the earliest stage.

A framework for compliance monitoring & enforcement has

been developed & is due for piloting

An oil spill contingency plan is being developed, to be ready

by December 2012


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LEGAL PREPAREDNESS

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1. Operational Waste Management

Guidelines for Oil & Gas Operational Waste Management Guidelines have been

issued to guide on most appropriate waste disposal methods- June 2012.

The Guidelines are framed on the need to:

Consider environmental and economic costs & benefits Minimize waste spillage.

Respond to waste characteristics determined to date.

Meet the current world practices for managing exploration& production of oil waste

Monitor any impact to ground water at any of theconsolidation sites

Apply current National Environment (Waste Management)Regulations

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2. Review of the existing legislation

The review and/or update of the following legislation has been initiated,to be completed by March 2013:

National Environment (EIA) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No.153-1

National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, Statutory

Instrument No. 153-2 National Environment (Standards for Discharge of Effluent into

Water or on Land) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-3

National Environment (Audit) Regulations, Statutory InstrumentNo. 12 of 2006

National Environment (Noise Standard and Control) Regulations,Statutory Instrument No. 30 of 2003, to incorporate vibration

pollution

National Air Quality standards (NAQS)

draft Oil Spills Regulations and Guidelines

National Environmental Act Cap. 153


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Legal Framework Preparedness cont

NEMA made comments to strengthen environmental

issues in the draft Petroleum (Exploration,

Development & Production) Bill, 2012


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PROGRESS MADE BY OTHER ENVIRONMENT

PILLAR INSTITUTIONS


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STATE OF INSTITUTIONAL PREPAREDNESS BY THE KEY LEAD AGENCIES

(PEPD, UWA, DFR, DWRM,NFA and MLHUD)

A draft General Management Plan for Queen ElizabethNational Park has been prepared incorporating oil & gas

issues;

A draft General Management Plan for Murchison Falls

National Park is being prepared; A forest Management Plan for Maramagambo Central

Forest Reserve has been finalized;

Fisheries frame surveys on Lake Albert & Albert Nile to

establish fisheries baseline have been carried out

Physical Planning in areas facing intense pressure from oil

and gas has been initiated


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ISSUES AND CONCERNS

Funding to NEMA - GOU (Vote 150) has been reducingannually - 2011/12 2012/13

NEMA prepared a specific budget of UGX 4 billion foroil/gas management but it was not factored in the current

budget; and hence, no budget for oil & gas activitieslisted above

Funding to the partner institutions for oil & gasenvironment activities was also not factored in the budget

Low technical capacity within NEMA and Lead Agencies;

Inadequate integration of oil and gas issues into the currentpolicies & legislation


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REQUIRED ACTIONS & INTERVENTIONS

Media should take keen interest in the petroleum sector. Aknowledgeable media is critical in forming a critical massthat is needed to influence policy, legislation and fundingfor the relevant sectors.

Media whenever possible should invest indeed in trainingmedia to report accurately on the sector and to keep thepublic fully informed accurately.

The media should pick interest in reporting environmentand science generally. Every Ugandan lives off theenvironment in one way or the other (land, air, water etc). Itis critical that the masses are educated through media onthe matter.


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Environment Management in the Oil-Rich Albertine Graben

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