OBEN GAS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Chapter Eight Conclusion and References
8.0 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER EIGHT
This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was prepared adopting a multidisciplinary
team approach consistent with the FMEnv Sectoral Guidelines for Oil and
Gas Projects and the DPR’s Environmental Guidelines and Standards for Petroleum
Industries in Nigeria. The EIA study involved detailed literature search, field
observations and in situ measurements, field sampling, laboratory and data analyses,
impact identification, evaluation and reporting.
The WDGSP/WAGP at Oben Field presents opportunity to monetize SPDC gas and
secure the company’s ‘Licence to Operate’ (LTO) in Nigeria by developing existing gas
resources and facilities to satisfy the gas purchase agreement (GPA) signed with N-Gas
for the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) project, whilst maintaining supply/demand
balance for existing gas contracts and commitments in the western domestic gas
network in Nigeria. The Oben Gas Plant has the flexibility to support the low-pressure
customers as well as supply at higher pressures to the ELPS and the Ajakouta Power
Plant.
Among other things the project is intended to: meet contractual gas demand of the
Western Domestic Gas Market, secure additional sources of gas supply to the proposed
West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), develop large gas reserves and enhance SPDC
reputation as a reliable gas supplier.
The WDGSP/WAGP at Oben Field is thus designed to ensure optimal utilisation and
recovery of the huge gas deposits within the Oben Field. This will, in addition to
increasing the national gas reserves, increase the national foreign earnings as well as
boost SPDC gas production target. The project will also create employment
opportunities and consequently increase the standard of living of many Nigerians.
However, the EIA report has highlighted the potential and associated adverse impacts
on the environment. These impacts are mainly short-term, residual, highly localized and
reversible on the immediate environment. Also some aspects of the project are
expected to elicit positive impacts on the environment. The EIA recommends that such
positive impacts should be sustained and enhanced.
Mitigation measures have been proffered for each of the identified potential and
associated adverse impacts of the project. Also, an Environmental Management Plan
(EMP) has been developed to ensure that the identified potential impacts can be
reduced to “as low as practically reasonable” (ALARP). Most importantly, monitoring
programmes and environmental auditing of the project have been recommended
throughout its life span. This is to ensure that all impact indicators for the various
environmental components at every phase of the project are within statutory limits.
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