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EIA : Why, Where and How
Environment Impact Assessment, according to UNEP, is used to identify the environmental and social impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Federal Law No.24 governs the Protection and development of the Environment. The Federal
Environment Agency (FEA) is the legislative body authorized for the implementation of the above law on a country wide scale. On an emirate level, 'competent authorities' will be responsible to execute it through monitoring, research, and environmental assessment.
In Abu Dhabi, ERWDA is the competent authority, all governmental departments and agencies must work in collaboration with ERWDA and seek approval for the "issuing of any regulations, policies and decrees related to environmental and wildlife affairs."
Key Elements of EIA
(Source: UNEP)
- Scoping: identify key issues and concerns of interested parties;
- Screening: decide whether an EIA is required based on information collected;
- Identifying and evaluating project alternatives: list alternative sites and techniques and the impacts of each;
- Mitigating measures dealing with uncertainty: review the proposed actions to prevent or minimise the potential adverse effects of the project;
- Issuing environmental statements: report the findings of the EIA.
The industry (Oil and Gas) has certainly been proactive in developing technologies and solutions to minimise the risk of impact from their operations. One such major development recently was put forth by ADCO, when it developed a comprehensive solution for Drilling Waste Management.
The outcome of a concerted effort by the Drilling Department is that now all hazardous wastes are handles without any impact to the environment.
Reconditioning and Recycling Mud Plant
(Source: ADNOC News)
To avoid the need to dispose drilling mud and allow for its re-use, ADCO took the initiative after carting out a feasibility study to tender out a Mud Recycling Plant. The plant, installed between Bab and Buhasa filed was awarded to and operated by M-I Overseas and is equipped to receive, analyse, recondition, store and load Oil Base Mud.
 The storage capacity is 9,000 bbls and the treatment tanks are equipped with mixing facilities for adding chemicals and two centrifuges to eliminate drilled solids. As soon as a rig has completed drilling a section with Oil Base Mud, the mud is sent to the plant and readied for reuse on another well/rig.
The plant is expected to recondition yearly about 300,000bbls of Oil Base Mud. The main advantages of the dedicated plant are:
- More efficient reconditioning due to dedicated equipment and personnel. This leads to better mud sent to the rigs (improved operations) and also increases the amount of mud recycled (less waste and cost saving).
- No need to store the mud on the rigs until required by another well/rig (reduced tank rental).
- Estimated yearly savings are significant compared to old practice|
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