The sponsor has presented plans to address these impacts to ensure that the proposed project will, upon implementation of the specific measures agreed, comply with applicable host country laws and regulations and World Bank/IFC requirements. The information about how these potential impacts will be addressed by the sponsor/project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow. Further information is provided in the attached documentation.
Compliance with the Marpol Convention
The Government of Gabon (GOG) is a signator and has ratified the Marpol Convention which relates to the prevention of pollution from ships including waste disposal and oil spills. The FPSO will comply with the Marpol Convention, along with all federal, state and local safety, health and environmental laws and regulations, as is required in the contract with Vaalco. The EIA prepared for the project includes special requirements so that the project will comply with the Marpol Convention.
Air emissions, including greenhouse gases
There will be very little flaring of gas from the project as minimal gas is produced in association with the oil. Most produced gas will be used by the FPSO to power equipment and approximately 2 MMcf/day maximum will be flared. Flares will achieve 98% combustion efficiency.
Liquid and solid waste disposal
Liquid and solid waste from the FPSO will be the responsibility of the FPSO contractor. The FPSO contractor will submit a Hazardous Material Management Plan and a Waste Management Plan prior to initiating operations. Solid waste will be segregated, stored and sent to shore for disposal. Deck drainage will comply with the limits in the IFC Offshore Oil and Gas Guideline as of December 22, 2001. Drilling wastes will be handled by the drilling contractor. Water based muds will be used to drill the upper sections of the wells and will be ocean dumped in compliance with industry practice. Oil (vegetable) based muds will be used to drill the lower sections and cuttings will be treated to prevent a sheen prior to disposal overboard. Drill cuttings will be in compliance with the toxicity testing requirements in the IFC Offshore Oil and Gas guideline. The oil based mud will be collected and returned to the vendor for recycling and will not be discharged overboard. Once the drilling contractor is selected, they will provide a site specific waste disposal plan.
Whale breeding or migration in the project area
The project is not located in a park or protected area. The most sensitive species appears to be whales which seasonally migrate through the area. Construction activities will be scheduled to minimize impacts during critical seasons (e.g. breeding and migration). If whales are sighted, all project vessels will be required to maintain a minimum distance of 1600 meters. In addition, vessels will not cross directly in front of migrating whales, not separate female whales from their calves, will not herd or drive whales and when traveling parallel to whales will operate at a speed not faster than the whales.
Shipping lanes or fishing
There doesn’t appear to be any impact to communities as the project is located entirely offshore. Resettlement will not be required and fishing will not be disrupted therefore there will not be any economic displacement. The project area is not located in a shipping lane.
Oil spill prevention and response
Vaalco will apply both primary and secondary well control measures including balancing drilling mud to formation fluid and installing blowout preventer stacks. In addition, Vaalco has established an emergency response organization to provide rapid response and control of emergency situations. Emergency response equipment will be strategically positioned for most likely events. Per Vaalco''s contract, the FPSO contractor will submit an Accidental Discharge Prevention Plan to prevent unintentional discharges of gas, liquids and solids to the environment; and an Oil Spill Contingency Plan which will include training and drills prior to commencing operations.
Occupational health and safety issues including fire protection, emergency response, and control of employee exposure to noise
Vaalco has provided the Health, Safety and Environmental Procedures manual that is used on their Philippines project which is very similar to the Gabon project. These plans will be customized to the Gabon project prior to commencing operations. In addition, the FPSO operator has provided a Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Assurance Plan for the project. Once the drilling contractor is selected, they will provide a Health and Safety plan before beginning drilling.
In summary, Vaalco or their contractor will provide a Hazardous Material Management Plan, Waste Disposal Plan, Accidental Discharge Prevention Plan and an Oil Spill Contingency Plan which will include training and provision for drills prior to commencing operations.
