The Caspian sea will not suffer

The construction of “Khazar 1” exploration well in the “Pearls” area located in the northern part of the Caspian Sea will not considerably impact the environment. This verdict was made by ecologists, Volkov G.P. and Abbatov A.A., on 10 May at the public hearings held by the Project Operator, “Caspi Meruerty Operating Company B.V.”. The shareholders of this company are JSC OOC “KazMunayTeniz”, Shell EP Offshore Ventures Limited and Oman Pearls Company Limited. “Caspi Meruerty Operating Company B.V.” assures that impact on the Caspian environment will not exceed the allowable level on application of up-to-date technologies and performance of environmental measures and requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
 
In 2007 prior to the well construction it is planned to conduct geo-technical investigations and drill the exploration well in the “Pearls” area. At the first stage of activities geo-physical, geo-technical and environmental investigations were made and are being made in the area. Now it is time to drill two exploration wells, one of which will be ready in late 2007.     
 
The statement of A. Abbatov, Senior Manager of Department of Environmental Investigations, is as follows: “I think that the impact will be of low significance. Basically all impacts will be associated with the initial phase of exploratory drilling. In future when production commences and everything is constructed natural environment will be restored. ”
    
All operations will adhere to zero discharge principle.  Industrial and domestic wastes will be collected in dedicated rig tanks and transferred to the onshore facility for further treatment in the designated areas. Soil and water pollution abatement will be held. As ecologists confirm incident-free exploration and well construction activities in the area will not considerably impact the environment.
 
The public hearings apart from officials were attended by the retired oilmen. Tony Fisher, the representative of “Caspi Meruerty Operating Company B.V.”, addressed the invitees, honored oilmen of the country,  laureates of Lenin and State Prizes of USSR, Viktor Nechayev, Sabyrtay Kartpayev, Bazarbay Kosmagambetov, Suyutdet Salmanov and other maestros of the Soviet school of geological exploration with the request to share their considerations regarding better ways of searching of offshore oil. The honored oilmen made their proposals and remarks upon the project.     
 
The community, that attended the hearings, was more interested in another issue – how to minimize adverse environmental impact. That was the agenda of the hearings covered by the specialists.  
 
Not going into details we should mark that all speeches summarized the conclusion: during exploration activities use of up-to-date technologies of world standards, mechanisms, equipment and instruments and organization of permanent environmental monitoring enables the construction of exploration wells with minimal environment impact and observance of design solutions.  We have no reasons to question the conclusion of the ecologists.  We rely on their professionalism and knowledge. Caspian oil is badly needed for the country and the region in particular.         
 
The public hearings resulted in adoption of the enactment comprising of two clauses:

1)    to  consider the submitted reports
2)    to agree “Khazar” well construction schedule in the “Pearls” area with account of remarks and recommendations stated at environmental impact assessment hearings.

Natalya OMELCHENKO
Aktau