- Environics, in association with Environmental Resources Management Ltd (ERM), was commissioned by PetroWEB, part of the Cheiron Group (CG) of companies, to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study of West El Burullus (WEB) Field Development Project. The study aimed at identifying and assessing the potential environmental and social impacts associated with the installation, pre-commissioning, commissioning and operation of the WEB Project.
- The WEB Project comprised of the development of West El Burullus and Papyrus fields for extraction of gas and condensates which are located in water depths of the WEB offshore concession, in the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt.
- The ESIA was undertaken in compliance with the requirements Egyptian Law Concerning the Environment, Law No. 4, 1994 and its associated Executive Regulations, IFC/World Bank Performance Standards and EHS Guidelines and Corporate Standards (Good International Industry Practice (GIIP)).
- ESIA scoping phase took place earlier to identify environmental and social sensitivities and those project activities with the potential to contribute to, or cause, impacts on resources and receptors. An ENVID (Environmental Impact Identification) workshop was undertaken, and an ESIA Scoping Report was produced by Environics and ERM, describing the Project at a high level and identifying the key project interactions with the natural and social environment, particularly those that may result in a significant environmental and social impact of the project. The report also identified the baseline information required to inform the impact assessment.
- Consequently, the ESIA study was prepared providing a detailed description of the existing environmental and socio-economic conditions, an assessment of the impacts that may result from the WEB Project, and their proper mitigation measures, as well as the framework Environmental & Social Management Plan (ESMP) to manage the significant environmental and socio-economic risks associated with the construction and operation of the Project. In addition, a socio-economic baseline study was provided.
- The ESIA scope of work entailed compiling information from a number of sources including publically available data, previous ESIA studies conducted for West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) facilities operated by Rashid Petroleum Company (Rashpetco), primary data collected during an offshore Environmental Baseline Survey undertaken earlier by the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) in WEB area, as well as consultations with key regulatory and permitting authorities.
- To conduct the social assessment for WEB Project, a number of desktop and field-based techniques were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Environics conducted a series of key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with potentially affected stakeholder groups, mainly fishermen and shell fish collectors on Idku shore (Idku City) and El Maadeya Port (El Maadeya Local Unit LU), in addition to various Council representatives, land owners and an Idku Beach Guard.
- The main finding results, as well as the recommended actions and interventions proposed to help the project to be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public; and to also guide project management to minimize risks and adverse impacts were provided in the Socio-economic Baseline Report.
- In addition, a public consultation meeting was held to present West El Burullus Gas Field Development Project and its ESIA study results to the various project stakeholders.
