Chapter-1 - Pollution Control Board, Assam

CHAPTER 1EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-1INTRODUCTION1.1 PROJECT PROPONENT: OIL INDIA LTD.The story of Oil India Limited (OIL) symbolizes and traces the developmentand growth of India’s petroleum industry. From the first commercial discoveryof crude oil in the far east of India at Digboi (Assam) to becoming a fullyintegrated upstream petroleum company, OIL has traversed a great distance. Inthe process, it has crossed many a milestone.In 1889, crude oil was first discovered in the fields of Digboi. On 18 thFebruary, 1959, Oil India Private Limited was incorporated to expand anddevelop the newly discovered oil fields of Nahorkatiya and Moran in theNorth East of India. In 1961, OIL became a joint venture company betweenthe Government of India and Burmah Oil Company Limited, UK.Two decades later, in 1981, Oil India Limited became a wholly ownedGovernment of India enterprise. Today, Oil India Limited (OIL) is a premierIndian National Oil Company engaged in the business of Exploration,Development and Production of Crude Oil and Natural Gas, Transportation ofCrude Oil and Production of LPG. The Company also provides various E&Prelated services to the industry. In the downstream sector, the company holds26% stake in Numaligarh Refinery Limited and 10% stake in BrahmaputraCracker & Polymer Limited.1.1.1 Corporate Objectives of OILExploration for new oil and gas reserves.Development of discovered oil fields and increased recovery from maturedand developed fields.Acquisition of new exploration acreage and oil and gas producingproperties.Venturing into oil fields service sector and participation in mainstreamactivities.Enhanced implementation of EHS measures in operations.Sustain and promote environmental protection.Optimum utilization of human resources.Engage in Corporate Social Responsibility activities in operational areas.Ensure reasonable return on capital and optimize cost of production.1.1.2 Activities of OILOIL is operating in 53 blocks and has participating interest in another 30blocks It produces 10,300 MT per day of crude oil and 6.93 MMSCMD ofnatural gas.Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-3Assam State Pollution Control Board (ASPCB) will be required as per EIAnotification dated 14 th September 2006 (EIA 2006).OIL decided to award the contract to Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (ECPL)vide Letter of Award No. CONT/HC/C-5/1261/2009 dated 03/01/2009(Contract No. 6102791) for carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) study including Risk Assessment (RA) and Disaster Management Plan(DMP) for proposed new development projects activities in TNJ Area.1.2.3 Terms of Reference Approved by MoEFExpert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment andForests (MoEF) considered the proposal of OIL for the proposed DevelopmentProject at Tengakhat-Nahorkatiya-Jorajan Area in its 83 rd meeting held during16 th July 2008 and recommended vide letter No. J-11011/413/2008-IA-II(I)dated 08/08/2008 the following Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project:1. Project Description and Project Benefits2. Site details including satellite imagery for 10 km area. Confirmationthat there is no National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary/Eco sensitive area.3. Land use along with maps & cropping pattern, vegetation, ecology,Flora & Fauna4. Demography & Socio-economics of the area.5. Details of land and complete R&R plan.6. Process details, Air & Water pollution control facilities.7. Baseline data for air, water and soil for 5 weeks leaving the monsoonseason.Ambient Air Quality monitoring at 8 locations for SPM, RPM,SO 2 , NOxBackground levels of hydrocarbons (Methane & Non-methaneseparately) and VOCs (5 samples)Soil sample analysis at 10 locationsBaseline underground and surface water quality in the vicinity of10 km area.Climatology & Meteorology including wind speed, wind direction,temperature, rainfall, etc.Measurement of Noise levels.8. Detailed water balance, waste water generation and discharge9. Treatment and utilization of produced water10. Detailed solid waste collection, segregations, its recycling and reuse,treatment and disposal.11. Estimation and computation of air emissions resulting out of drillingoperations.12. Storage of chemicals at the site, proposed preventive measures forspillage and accident.13. Environmental Management Plan14. Risk Assessment & Disaster Management PlanIdentification of hazardsConsequence AnalysisRisk Presentation & proposed measures for Risk ReductionDisaster Management Plan (DMP)Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-4Oil Spill Contingency Plan and Emergency Response Plan15. Details of proposed occupational Health Surveillance program for theemployees and other labour.EAC had exempted the project proposal from public hearing/consultation.1.2.4 Consideration of STF Project for Environmental ClearanceECPL carried out EIA studies for the project and prepared EIA/EMP report inMarch 2009 based on the approved ToR using baseline data collected during20/01/2009 to 22/02/2009. Annexure 1.1 gives the details of compliance ofToR prescribed for the project. The project was considered for theenvironmental clearance (EC) by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) ofMoEF in the 9 th Meeting of EAC on 18/03/2010 and EAC decided toconstitute a Sub-Committee for on the spot assessment of existing facilitiesand environmental impacts vis-à-vis environmental protection measures beingtaken or proposed by OIL. The Sub-Committee visited the project site during30 th September to 3 rd October 2010 and its report was considered in the 15 thmeeting of EAC on 23/10/2010. EAC decided that STF project is a green fieldproject where exemption for public hearing (PH) under 7 (ii) of EIANotification, 2006 granted earlier is not applicable and the project has to gothrough PH to be conducted by ASPCB. The issues raised during PH are to beincorporated in the final EIA/EMP for submission to the Ministry for furtherconsideration of EC. Since data for these projects is already collected andEIA/EMP report prepared along with four other projects, same data may beused in the final EIA/EMP report. Annexure 1.2 gives the copy of the letterNo. J-11011/413/2008-IA II (I) dated 24/01/2011 received from MoEF for thesame.MoEF letter dated 24/01/2011 stipulates as under:1. Holding of PH by ASPCB.2. Preparation of final EIA/EMP report incorporating all the issues raisedduring PH and submission to MoEF for further consideration of EC by anEIA Consultant accredited by Quality Council of India (QCI)/NationalAccreditation Board of Education and Training (NABET).3. Submission final EIA/EMP report within a time period as specified byMoEF in O. M. No. J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 22/03/2010.4. Since ECPL has decided not to apply to QCI/NABET for Accreditation asan EIA Consultant, in order to meet the stipulation 2 of MoEF letter dated24/01/2011, Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd. ,who has applied to QCI/NABETfor Accreditation as an EIA Consultant (listed at Sl. No. 234 of EIAApplications received till 30/09/2010) and is permitted to appear beforeEAC till 30/06/2011 as per MoEF O. M. No. J-11013/77/2004-IA II (I)dated 31/12/2010, has been engaged to appear for PH, prepare finalEIA/EMP report incorporating issues raised during PH and to appearbefore EAC for further consideration of EC for the STF project.Furthermore, in order to meet the stipulation 3 of MoEF letter dated24/01/2011 since ToR for the STF project were approved on 08/08/2008Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-5and baseline data for EIA/EMP report was collected during 20/01/2009 to22/02/2009, time limit for submission of the final EIA/EMP report afterincorporating issues raised during PH will be 20/01/2012 as specified inMoEF O. M. No. J-11013/41/2008-IA.II (I) dated 22/03/2010.1.3 STUDY AREAFig.1.1 shows the Tengakhat-Nahorkatiya-Jorajan Area in Dibrugarh andTinsukia districts of Assam along with some important villages and riverSessa flowing through southern portion of TNJ Area. Existing oil wells, crudeoil handling facilities as well as location of the proposed STF project in TNJarea are also shown in Fig. 1.1.Fig. 1.2 shows the village boundary map of the study area and also showseight monitoring sampling locations in TNJ Area. Fig. 1.3 shows the satelliteimagery of the project area.Agro-ecologically the TNJ area is Assam plain, hot sub-humid (moist) tohumid eco-region, with alluvium derived soils. The climate is tropical warmand humid with an average annual rainfall of nearly 2300 mm. Soils of thearea are alluvium derived. Physiographically the TNJ area is a flat plaininterspersed with Sessa river and its tributaries as well as small ponds.The study area has 220 villages (all inhabited) out of which 76 villages fall inTinsukia district and remaining 144 villages fall in Dibrugarh district.Summary of circle wise distribution of villages and their population and landarea as per Census 2001 is given below:District Circle VillagesNumber Population Land Area(ha)Tinsukia Doom Dooma 22 17160 3956.33Tinsukia 54 51730 8629.09Total 76 68890 12585.42Dibrugarh Dibrugarh17 19106 3912.80WestDibrugarh East 38 45586 8527.97Chabua 1 935 342.26Tengakhat 88 78825 14930.29Total 144 144452 27713.32Study Area Grand Total 220 213342 40298.74In addition to 220 villages, the study area also has 9 towns, namely TinsukiaMB, Lahari Kachari Gaon (OG), Hengalguri Gaon (OG), Bajatoli Gaon (OG),Hijugiri Gaon (OG), Makum, Duliajan Oil Town, Duliajan No. 1 andSarupathar Bengali. Tinsukia (MB and 4 OG towns have a population of97072 persons) and Makum (TC) (15118 persons) fall within the 5 km radiusstudy area of New Bowser Unloading Station. Duliajan Oil Town (23763persons), Duliajan No.1 (CT) (1602 persons) and Sarupathar Bengali (CT)(6609 persons) fall within the 5 km radius study area of Secondary Tank Farm.Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-6Therefore, the study area chosen for TNJ area has a rural population of2,13,342 in 220 villages and an urban population of 1,44,164 in 9 towns as per2001 Census.Total land area of 220 identified villages is 40298.74 ha or nearly 402.99 sq.km, which is 22% more than geographical area (331.16 ha) chosen for thestudy area. Total area occupied by 5 towns is not available in 2001 Census.Village wise data of population and land area for 220 villages is given inTables 4.18 and 4.14 in Chapter 4.TNJ Area can be easily approached by air, road (national highway NH-37) andrailway. Tinsukia is the nearest town to TNJ area and is also the districtheadquarters. The district headquarters town Dibrugarh is the nearest airportlocated at about 40 km from Tinsukia.1.4 ECOLOGICALLY AND/OR OTHERWISE SENSITIVE LOCATIONSAND PLACES OF RELIGIOUS, HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICALOR TOURIST IMPORTANCEBorajan Wild Life Sanctuary having a notified area of 421.2 ha is at adistance of nearly 3.8 km from Secondary Tank Farm in TNJ Area asestimated by the Divisional Forest Officer, Tinsukia Wildlife Division, fromthe analysis of satellite imagery using the coordinates taken in the field as wellas those provided by OIL. No. other Wild Life Sanctuary or National Park islocated within 10 km from proposed location of the STF.1.5 REPORT PRESENTATIONThis report is based on a reconnaissance survey on January 20, 21 and 27,2009 of the TNJ area and nearly 5 weeks field studies from January 20, toFebruary 22, 2009 for primary baseline data collection for ambient air, waterand soil quality and noise levels in the study area, secondary data collectedfrom various sources in public domain and information provided by OIL aboutthe proposed activities for new development projects in TNJ AreaThe report has been presented in the following pattern. The environmentalparameters are grouped under Physical, Biological and Demographic andSocio-economic environmental components. The baseline data, impactassessment and mitigatory measures are described in accordance with thebroad categories as above in the following chapters. In addition to thefollowing chapters, the report also includes an Executive Summary at thebeginning of the report.Chapter 1: provides an introduction consisting of the background of OIL,objective and scope of EIA study and brief description of the study area of thenew development projects and sensitive locations in TNJ Area. ToR approvedby MoEF and its compliance are also included.Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-7Chapter 2: gives administrative and legal framework applicable for EIAstudies of the project for oil/gas, development and production projects as wellas standards for discharge of environmental pollutants.Chapter 3: discusses briefly the basic principles, equipment and utilitiesrequirement for new development projects, pollution sources, strategy forpollution control and general safety measures required during new projectsdevelopment activities, project benefits as well as analysis of alternatives forthe site and technology.Chapter 4: deals with physical and biological environmental components ofbaseline environmental conditions in the study and surrounding area, namely,soil, hydrology, water quality, climatology, meteorology, ambient air quality,noise levels and land use as well as terrestrial and aquatic ecology. Baselineenvironmental conditions for demographic and socio-economic aspects arealso presented.Chapter 5: discusses the environmental impact assessment of proposed newdevelopment projects on each of the environmental components coveringphysical, biological, demographic and socio-economic aspects.Chapter 6: discusses the likely accident scenario during construction andoperation of new development projects, consequence analysis and safetymeasures adopted.Chapter 7: presents the disaster management plan.Chapter 8: presents the environmental management plan for variousenvironmental parameters as well as environmental monitoring programme.Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Annexure 1.1EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-8Point-wise Compliance of ToR as prescribed by the EACSl. Terms of ReferenceLocation in EIA ReportNo.Chapter Section No. Page No.No.1. Project Description and Project Benefits 3 Sections 3.2 to 3.5 3-1 to 3-62. Site details including satellite imagery for 10km area. Confirmation that there is no1 Sections 1.3 & 1.4Figs. 1.1 to 1.31-5 & 1-61-11 to 1-13National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary/Ecosensitive area.3. Land use along with maps & croppingpattern, vegetation, ecology, Flora & Fauna4 Sections 4.3.7 &4.4Tables 4.14 to 4.174-14 & 4-154-33 to 4-474. Demography & Socio-economics of thearea.4 Section 4.5Tables 4.18 to 4.204-16 to 4-184-48 to 4-695. Details of land and complete R&R plan. 3 Section 3.6.1 3-6No R & R plan is required.6. Process details, Air & Water pollution 3 Sections 3.7 & 3.8 3-7 to 3-9control facilities.7. Baseline data for air, water and soil for 5 As detailed below:weeks leaving the monsoon season.Ambient Air Quality monitoring at 8locations for SPM, RPM, SO 2 , NOx.4 Section 4.3.5Table 4.94-10 to 4-134-27 & 4-28Background levels of hydrocarbons 4 Section 4.3.5 4-12 &4-13(Methane & Non-methane separately) andVOCs (5 samples)F,G, & HTable 4.9 4-28Soil sample analysis at 10 locations 4 Section 4.3.2Table 4.1Baseline underground and surface water 4 Section 4.3.3quality in the vicinity of 10 km area.Table 4.4Climatology & Meteorology including 4 Section 4.3.4wind speed, wind direction, temperature,Tables 4.6 to 4.8rainfall, etc.Fig. 4.24-2 to 4-34-194-4 to 4-54-214-6 to 4-104-23 to 4-264-74Measurement of Noise levels at 10locations at 10 locations.4 Section 4.3.6Table 4.134-13 & 4-144-328. Detailed water balance, waste water 3 Section 3.6.3 3-6generation and discharge.9. Treatment and utilization of produced water. 3 Section 3.7.2 3-710. Detailed solid waste collection, segregations,its recycling and reuse, treatment anddisposal.3 Sections 3.7.3,3.8.3 & 3.8.53-7 to 3-911. Estimation and computation of air emissionsresulting out of drilling operations.12. Storage of chemicals at the site, proposedpreventive measures for spillage andaccident.3 Sections 3.7.1 & 3-7 & 3-83.8.1No drilling operation is involved.3 Section 3.6.4 3-613. Environmental Management Plan 8 Sections 8.1 & 8.2 8-1 to 8-3Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Sl.No.Terms of ReferenceEIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-9ChapterNo.Location in EIA ReportSection No. Page No.Table 8.1 8-4 to 8-8As detailed below:14. Risk Assessment & Disaster ManagementPlan.Identification of hazards 6 Sections 6.2 &6.5.1Table 6.16-1, to 6-46-8Consequence Analysis 6 Section 6.5.2 6-5 to 6-7Risk Presentation & proposed measures 6 Section 6.5.2 6-4 to 6-7for Risk ReductionDisaster Management Plan (DMP) 7 Sections 7.1 to 7.6Fig. 7.17-1 to 7-67-7Oil Spill Contingency Plan and EmergencyResponse Plan7 Sections 7.5 & 7.6Fig. 7.17-3 to 7-67-715. Post project closure monitoring programme 8 Section 8.2.3 8-2for minimum 10 years.16. Documentary proofs for Memberships ofNot Applicablecommon disposal facility, if any.17. Details of proposed occupational HealthSurveillance program for the employees andother labour.8 Section 8.2.4 8-2 & 8-3Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

EIA for STF Project in TNJ Area of OIL1-10Annexure 1.2MoEF Letter No. J-11011/413/2008-IA II (I) Dated 24/01/2011Galaxy Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.Envirotech Consultants Pvt. Ltd.