31509 - Rialto Energy

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Environmental & Social Review Summary

Project Number

31509

Company Name

Azonto Petroleum Ltd

Date ESRS Disclosed

Jan 17, 2012

Country

Cote D'Ivoire

Region

Africa

Last Updated Date

Dec 1, 2016

Environmental Category

A - Significant

Status

Completed

Previous Events

Approved : Mar 22, 2012
Signed : Mar 26, 2012
Invested : Mar 30, 2012

Sector

Oil and Gas Exploration

Industry

Metals and Mining

Department

Gbl Infrastructure & Natural Resources

Project Description

Rialto Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in London. The CI-202 block offshore Cote d’Ivoire is Rialto Energy’s (“Rialto” or the “Company”) key asset in which it has an 85% working interest and is also the operator. On CI-202, two main hubs (Gazelle and Hippo) have been identified based on previous drilling and 3D seismic. The block’s contingent resources on a 2C basis are estimated at 35.9 million barrels of oil (“mmbo”) and 355 billion cubic feet (“bcf”). The project consists of drilling 2 wells on the Gazelle area and one exploration well on a prospect in the Hippo cluster. A rig contract has been executed and long-lead items for this program are being acquired. The success of this appraisal and exploration drilling will allow the Company to make the final investment decision and proceed with the field development plan agreed with the Government of Cote d’Ivoire. Once developed, hydrocarbon production from the field, particularly gas from Gazelle, will help address significant shortage of gas supply currently existing and projected in order to serve the country’s power needs.

IFC’s proposed investment consists of an equity investment in the Company of up to $20 million coupled with a warrants package. IFC’s investment will help finance the Company’s drilling campaign, i.e. drilling the two appraisal wells in the Gazelle gas field area which is scheduled to continue for 120 days for the 3 wells (i.e. if the additional well is also drilled) and will commence in mid-February 2012.

Cote d’Ivoire’s power sector is dominated by gas-fueled plants (Azito and CIPREL) which provide majority of the power supply for the country. Rialto’s CI-202 block has significant gas resources complemented with oil resources. It is expected that the gas from Rialto’s CI-202 Block will supply the power plants.

Overview of IFC's Scope of Review

IFC’s environmental and social (“E&S”) review of the Rialto Energy Ltd (“Rialto” or the “Company”) project consisted of an appraisal visit conducted in November 2011. This visit was to assess the Company’s organizational capacity and commitment, their operations and to review the technical, health, safety, environmental, (“HSE”) and social information submitted by the Company and understand their plans and commitments for the future development of the block. During the appraisal, IFC team also held meetings with Rialto’s management in London and with the E&S consultants working on behalf of Rialto in Abidjan. The site visit included the CI-202 offshore block (currently, there are no installations or any other physical infrastructure on the block).

The review of key documentation included the Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (“HSEQ) Management System manual, the HSEQ policy statement, policies and procedures, the environmental impact assessment reports prepared for the seismic and drilling campaigns, the environmental audit report for the seismic exploration, draft bridging documents, management of change, emergency management response and the human resources manual among others.

E & S Project Categorization and Applicable Standard

While all Performance Standards are applicable to this investment, IFC’s environmental and social due diligence indicates that the activities associated with the proposed drilling and appraisal program must be managed in a manner consistent with the following Performance Standards:

- PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management Systems
- PS2: Labour and Working Conditions
- PS3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement
- PS4: Community Health, Safety and Security
- PS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources

Performance Standard 7 (Indigenous Peoples) is not applicable because there are no indigenous people in the project’s area of influence. Performance Standard 5 (Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement), and Performance Standard 8 (Cultural Heritage) are not applicable at this stage of the project but will be considered during environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) preparation for the development phase and would apply should the project proceed to development and the issues are applicable.

IFC’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Guidelines applicable to this investment are:

- General EHS Guidelines, April 2007; and
- Oil and Gas Offshore EHS Guidelines, December 2007.

The proposed investment has been assessed as a Category A project because of the inherent sector risks associated with oil and gas offshore exploration and production and the project location in an ecologically sensitive area. The project is at late stages of exploration and appraisal and is likely to progress to development of the fields. The detailed design aspects associated with the development phase are yet to be determined.
The detailed environmental and social documentation will be prepared for the development phase of the project. It is envisaged that the ESIA will commence early next year and it will be fully consulted upon and disclosed in accordance with IFC’s requirements

Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures

The management of impacts and risks discussed in this ESRS consists of those associated with the drilling and appraisal phase.

The following sections provide a detailed overview of the environmental and social aspects and the associated potential impacts and risks related to this investment. Rialto has committed to meet IFC’s updated 2012 Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability and applicable EHS Guidelines. The Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) prepared as part of this investment covering the drilling and exploration program and potential future development will ensure that Rialto’s activities are conducted in manner that meets good international practices and national regulatory requirements.

PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management Systems

Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Policy and Management System: Rialto’s Policy statement outlines its commitment to the management of HSE in a manner that is consistent with its HSEQ management systems and applicable laws and regulations where it operates. The policy also describes the specific principles under which the Company commits to operate for aspects related to health, safety, environment and communities.

Rialto has an HSEQ management system tailored to the current level of operations and contains a number of HSE standards and procedures for management of HSE aspects of its exploration and drilling programs. Rialto has committed to review and update its management system to be consistent with the IFC Performance Standards and applicable EHS Guidelines. The management system will also include components for management of social aspects of its operations (i.e. stakeholder engagement, grievance mechanism etc.) and standard operating procedures to address various aspects of the drilling program. The company is committed to undertaking its activities consistent with international good practices and the Performance Standards

Contractor HSE performance is a key criteria in the selection process. There are contractual obligations for the drilling contractors to conduct their activities consistent with Rialto’s HSEQ management systems. Bridging documents for the upcoming drilling campaign are currently being prepared and these will ensure that contractor procedures and systems are aligned with Rialto’s. Rialto has committed to ensure that the bridging documents are consistent with the Performance Standards and EHS Guidelines.

Rialto has contracted Oill Spill Response Limited (OSRL) to prepare its Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP.) A preliminary draft was reviewed by IFC and will be finalized prior to commencing operations. OSRL is a reputable company in the industry for assessing the potential risk of an oil spill. The OSCP contains spill scenarios and potential spill trajectories and approximate timelines to reach the coastline. The OSCP also includes the preparedness of Rialto and collaboration with Government for response to any type of incident.
Management and Organization: The overarching responsibility for HSEQ lies with the Company’s managing director. As a junior oil and gas company, Rialto has one HSEQ Coordinator based in London supported by local consultants in Abidjan for preparation of the ESIAs documentation undertaken and the monitoring program stipulated by the Ivorian Government as part of the environmental permit for the seismic activities. The HSEQ Coordinator has overall responsibility for ensuring that project activities meet the commitments outlined in the HSEQ Policy and Management System. The Company intends to hire an in-country HSE advisor responsible for HSE management and implementation of the management system. Rialto will strengthen its organizational capacity to manage E&S performance at the country level where the project activities are located.
Rialto recognises the need for a strong team to deliver effective environmental and social performance and has indicated it will allocate adequate human and financial resources aligned to the project needs and associated development phases. Rialto will develop an HSE and Social staffing plan to ensure that ongoing management of its operations is consistent with its commitments. The plan will include job descriptions, roles and responsibilities and schedule for hiring aligned to the project’s needs and development phases.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment: The Company completed ESIAs for the seismic survey and offshore drilling campaigns in April and September 2011 respectively to meet national Ivorian requirements. Both assessment reports were presented to the relevant Ivorian competent authority for approval and issuance of environmental permits. The ESIA reports include environmental and social management plans (ESMP) which outline proposed mitigation measures for all risks and impacts identified in the assessment studies. The ESMP’s are supplemented by a monitoring program for specific environmental and social aspects – accidental spills, waste management, water abstraction and local hire. Rialto has committed to undertake additional studies to address gaps associated with the current ESIA’s. The findings will be presented as an addendum to the ESIA’s and completed prior to any physical activities in the block.

Rialto is required to prepare an ESIA for the development phase of the project. The Company has committed to prepare this document to demonstrate how the project will be consistent with the requirements of IFC Performance Standards, the EHS Guidelines as well as Ivorian standards and will disclose the report to the affected communities for comments and feedback prior to the start of the development phase. It is envisaged that this ESIA for the development phase of the project will commence early next year.

Monitoring and Reporting: As part of the environmental permit conditions; Rialto is obligated to undertake monitoring during execution of project activities such as seismic and drilling. The monitoring for the seismic survey was undertaken by a government approved environmental consultancy company and an audit report was prepared and submitted to the competent authority in the Ministry of Environment.

After completion of the ESIA and once the project moves to development, Rialto will retain external experts to verify its monitoring information, the extent of which will be commensurate with the project’s environmental and social risks and with compliance requirements.

For the upcoming drilling campaign Rialto will define its monitoring program in conjunction with its drilling Contractor to manage HSE performance and ensure that all potential risks and impacts are adequately managed. The monitoring program will be tailored to meet the requirements of the Performance Standards and the EHS Guidelines, as per item 5 in the ESAP.

Artisanal and Commercial Fishing: According to the Company, based on information gathered from the fishing port of Abidjan, the area where the block is located is not frequented by artisanal fishermen. Artisanal fishermen (who account for approximately 17 percent of the population of Adiake sub-prefecture - the locale within the project’s area of influence) fish closer to the coast in the Aby lagoon area. However, at times, the artisanal fishermen move further out to the sea closer to the oil and gas production areas where Rialto’s block is located. Rialto will have a 500 meter exclusion zone around the platform that will be adopted once the drilling program commences. Given that the peak fishing seasons are between December to February and July to September, it is not envisaged that the exclusion zone will have any significant impacts on fishing grounds. There are commercial Japanese fishing vessels but their fishing grounds are further out into the sea and as such the project activities are not envisaged have impacts on them

Rialto will undertake a baseline to determine fishing activities in the area surrounding the block. They will also prepare a map of the fishing grounds with respect to the project and determine potential impacts on the fishing communities in the area of influence during the project’s future activities. This will also include consultation with the fishermen to gather specific details on the fishing grounds and seasons and development of a fishing management plan to address the potential impacts consistent with the requirements of the IFC Performance Standards.

PS 2: Labor and Working Conditions

The Company employs a total of 20 full time staff distributed among its three offices in London, Perth and Abidjan. The Human Resources (HR) Coordinator is currently based in Perth.

Rialto has recently completed the development of its HR policies in the “Company Policies and Procedures Manual” based on British and Australian labour codes. The manual includes a code of business conduct which outlines Rialto’s commitment to appropriate business practices, including working conditions. The code applies to its contractors as well as its consultants. The manual outlines Rialto’s commitment to appropriate labour standards and addresses terms of employment and policies related to remuneration, benefits, probation, non-discrimination and equal opportunity, leave (annual, maternity, paternity, sick) and redundancy among others. This standard policy applies to all staff. All employment conditions and benefits are outlined in employment contracts, a copy of which is shared with the employees prior to their recruitment.

Rialto has an employee grievance mechanism through which employees can raise workplace related concerns. The procedures on logging a grievance and the mechanisms for resolution are outlined in the manual. The procedure recognizes the rights of employees to access external administrative or judicial process such as an employment tribunal for resolution of complaints.

Rialto will prepare a Human Resources Manual for its Abidjan office consistent with the Performance Standards and the Ivorian labor code.

Rialto is committed to providing its employees with a safe and healthy workplace. To fill these commitments, Rialto has developed a Corporate Occupational Health and Safety guideline as part of its HSEQ management system. The management system also includes a corporate risk management guideline and an emergency management response procedure. In addition, all Rialto employees are covered by a ‘Rehabilitation Policy’, the objective of which is to ensure that all employees receive the necessary medical care in the event of a work-place injury.

In preparation for its drilling campaign and subsequent phases of the project, Rialto will prepare standard operating procedures for its operations in Abidjan. The operating procedures and manuals will be consistent with IFC Performance Standards, good industry practice and the EHS Guidelines. The operating procedures will address aspects related to (i) identification of potential hazards to workers and risk assessment procedures (e.g. job safety analysis), (ii) mandatory health and safety training for its entire field staff including those of the contractors, (iii) fire and life safety, (iv) permit-to-work system, (v) use of personal protective equipment, and (vi) emergency response procedures among others. Health and safety performance including that of contractors will be monitored and the results reported to senior management.

PS 3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement:

Dilution and dispersion of air pollutant emissions from the mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) are expected to be rapid and the potential effects on air quality to be limited to a short distance from the emissions sources. The Project will ensure that offshore facilities and support vessels comply with MARPOL Annex VI requirements which are relevant to sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, from ship exhausts and diesel engines, prohibition of deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances and prohibition of the incineration of certain products on board.

The drilling activities and vessel operations will generate noise into the marine environment with potential impacts to biota. However, the noise levels are much lower than those known to cause hearing loss, discomfort and/or injury. The Project has committed to routine inspections and maintenance of engines, generators and other equipment to minimize this impact.

The Project is anticipated to use both water-based fluids (WBFs) and low toxicity mineral oil based fluids (LT-MOBFs) during the drilling activities. The LT-MOBFs will be used to drill all hole sections below 500 m. The Project will ensure that LT-MOBFs are not discharged offshore and that they will be recovered and returned to the vendor for recycling.

The Project evaluated feasible alternatives for the disposal of spent drilling WBFs and drill cuttings as part of the drilling activities. However, alternative options are limited as in Cote d’ Ivoire, there are no known facilities that can treat to levels that are not harmful to the environment. Discharge of drilled cuttings to sea during drilling is considered to be the only present alternative through a 15 m caisson below the water line. The Project has conducted a dispersion modeling on the fate of the drilling fluids and cuttings and it is expected that the volume of LT-MOBF will be approximately 37.59 m3 for the Gazelle P3. The volumes of the LT-MOBF cuttings that will be discharged are estimated to be 516.90 m3. The model indicates that in general terms the impacts on benthic animals is likely to occur if the deposits are greater than 1 mm. The results show that the area affected by cuttings deposits of greater than 1mm is confined to a maximum distance approximately 1,460 x 120 metres which is the majority of the top well section. The results also show that when discharges are at 15 m below the sea surface, they disperse in the water column with no detectable deposits on the sea bed in an area of 2.3 hectares. The well-bore depth will be approximately 3000 meters at water depths of 35 – 40 meters which will be shallow water drilling.

The Project has developed a waste management plan (WMP) to facilitate the management of all the waste streams that are envisioned by the Project. The WMP outlines compliance with Cote d’Ivoire regulations as well as international best practices including MARPOL 73/78 Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

All wastes will be segregated and stored in designated containers and disposed in accordance with the designated procedure. Food waste will be ground prior to discharge in accordance with MARPOL requirements. The drilling rig and support vessels will include design features that will contain any runoff and prevent oily drainage from being discharged. All hazardous waste materials will be stored in hazardous waste skips and drums for transporting to shore for final disposal. The disposal of waste on-shore would have the appropriate management tracking system and all the disposal areas would be certified by the Project as acceptable disposal facility.

As part of its operations in Cote d’Ivoire Rialto has developed an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that includes procedures for medical evacuation, environmental emergencies, fire prevention and protection and other incident responses.

An Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) for Block CI-202 has been developed by Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), consistent with the International Convention on Oil Pollution Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC Convention, 1990) and follows a tiered preparedness and response approach. The OSCP considers potential spill scenarios. The oil spill modeling shows that it could take between 8-11 hours to reach the shoreline with south/south-west wind conditions. The modeling also shows that the predicted impacts to the shoreline to stay within Cote d’Ivoire between the territories of Grand-Bassam and Assinie-Mafia. However, given that borderline with Ghana are close enough, impacts can be anticipated in the event of a spill.

As part of the OSCP, Rialto has detailed procedures for responding to a spill including; (i) procedures for indentifying the source of a spill and predicting its movement; (ii) response and disposal methods; (iii) shoreline protection methods; (iv) dispersant application; (iv) communication with stakeholders, notification and reporting process; (v) emergency report teams in country and London; (vi) available equipment, supplies and services; and (vii) training and exercising programs. The OSCP details information with respect to the tiering process for responding to an oil spill event. Tier I oil spill events will remain the responsibility of Rialto. In tier II spill scenarios, Rialto has contracted the services of West and Central African (WACAF) Aerial Surveillance and Dispersant Application Services for oil spill response. In the event of a tier III oil spill Rialto has entered into an agreement with OSRL who are tier III contractor operating 24 hour/365 day a year for their services. The nearest response base to Cote d’Ivoire is situated in Bahrain, however, the services of their operations in the UK is also part of the agreement.

PS 4: Community Health, Safety and Security

Rialto’s drilling program is not envisaged to have significant impacts on community settlements located onshore in the sub-prefecture of Adiake, the closest onshore settlement to the block.

The project will have a 500 m safety exclusion zone around the exploration drilling platform which will be in the Gazelle field for approximately 120 days starting mid-February 2012. The Company has reported that there is no fishing activity in the immediate area for the proposed drilling campaign. The artisanal fishermen are more prevalent around the shallower waters in the Aby lagoons although occasionally they fish in areas closer to the block. Commercial fishing occurs further offshore in deeper water at some distance from the block. Rialto will engage with both the artisanal fishermen and inform commercial fishermen to ensure that they are aware of the safety exclusion zones and any offshore activities that may result in temporary disturbance. Rialto will conduct safety awareness consultations with the fishermen on adherence to safety zones to reduce the risk of potential collision including management of boat traffic to offshore facilities especially for future activities.

In its Emergency Response Plan, Rialto will include procedures for handling emergencies that may involve the communities and fishermen.

Rialto will not use armed security forces.

PS 6: Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources
The CI-202 offshore block covers an area of 675 square km and is located 30 km to the southeast of Abidjan and 80 km to the west of the Jubilee field in Ghana. Currently there are no facilities or infrastructure on the block. The Azagny National Park is located approximately 130 km from the Gazelle gas field.
The Gazelle gas field is also located approximately 53 km from Îles Ehotilé National Park, a group of nine islands situated in the Aby lagoon system in the coastal zone in southeastern Cote D’ivoire that were designated as a Ramsar site in 2005. Seasonal migratory seabirds (December to March) are found in Iles Ehotilé and Tanoe Forest (located approximately 88 km from the gas field). Western Africa is an important region for breeding seabirds, however, the main concentration of breeding birds are not encountered in the coast of Cote d’Ivoire. The location of the Gazelle field in relation to the sites and its impacts during the drilling phase of the project appears to be low.

According to Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Report, the migration routes of large mammals along the coasts of several West African countries (Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire are approximately 4 to 5 kilometers from the coast and follow the Guinea Current which flows from west to east. The migration season is from August to November and is also considered the mammals’ reproduction period. The Company is committed to ensuring that the drilling operations take place outside the migration periods.

Since the location of the block is some distance from the sensitive receptors noted above, the impacts due to the drilling phase are envisaged to be low.

To confirm this, Rialto will retain a qualified marine biologist with regional experience to undertake a desk review of the current data to assess distribution and conservation status of national and international protected species in the project’s area of influence. This will include (i) Turtle nesting areas; (ii) nationally and internationally recognized protected areas; (iii) migratory routes including seasonality and species.

Stakeholder Engagement

Rialto’s HSEQ Policy Statement includes a policy a Community and Social Policy which reflects Rialto’s commitment to Corporate Responsibility.

As part of the ESIA for the drilling program, consultation was undertaken by the consultants with the local government representatives in the Prefectures of Adiake, Assinie Mafia and Etueboue and community members and village chiefs in Assinie terminal, Assinie Mafia, Aboisso, Eboue, Aby, Adjouan and Tiapoum.

The proposed drilling program is unlikely to affect the local communities; the objective of these meetings was to introduce the project and provide the communities with information on the proposed project activities. The key concerns raised by the Chiefs were related to potential impacts on the lagoon which is concerned to be inherited from their ancestors and opportunities for employment of the youth. The location of the Gazelle field in relation to the lagoon and potential impacts during the drilling phase of the project to the lagoon appears to be low. The OSRP will include mitigation measures in the event of an oil spill. Rialto intends to engage with the village chiefs with respect to convening blessing ceremonies to obtain blessings of the ancestors prior to commencement of their project activities.

Rialto will develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) that describes the Company’s policies and procedures for consultation with all the relevant stakeholders and affected communities and disclosure of project information and documentation. The Plan will include Ivorian regulatory requirements and be consistent with the IFC Performance Standards. The key components will include (i) principles and process for identifying stakeholders, (ii) strategy and schedule for sharing information, (iii) grievance mechanism for the affected community to receive and resolve complaints, (v) a high level schedule for engagement and disclosure of information aligned with the project’s various stages including the ESIA and (iv) a detailed list of stakeholder categories and (v) organizational roles and responsibilities.

The SEP will be commensurate with the project’s risks and impacts and will document all engagement activities to date and a process for engaging the communities during the development phase ESIA (including receiving, documenting and addressing feedback received during the impact assessment and incorporating into project design and strategy).

The company will also report annually on progress made in implementing the company’s environmental and social action plan.

Client Documentation

File Name	Actions
Rialto Energy ESAP.pdf

**Information on IFC's Policy and Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability

IFC supports its clients in addressing environmental and social issues arising from their business activities by requiring its real sector clients to set up and administer appropriate grievance mechanisms and/or procedures to address complaints from Affected Communities in relation to environmental and social issues arising from IFC's clients' business activities. Since 2012, IFC's Financial Intermediary clients applying the Performance Standards are required to develop External Communications Mechanisms to receive and review inquiries or complaints from any interested party regarding the E&S risks and impacts of their operations.

For IFC projects that are active or under consideration, individual(s), or their authorized representative(s), who allege they have been or will be adversely affected by E&S risks or impacts arising from IFC's clients' business activities, may submit a complaint to IFC directly for consideration. When receiving an E&S complaint, IFC engages with complainants and works with its clients to find solutions to E&S concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Complaints can be submitted to IFC online at www.ifc.org/escomplaints or by email to EScomplaints@ifc.org.

IFC complaint response is separate from and complementary to IFC’s clients’ project level grievance mechanisms and IFC’s Independent Accountability Mechanism (CAO). Lodging a complaint directly with IFC does not, at any time, restrict access to CAO.

Affected communities have unrestricted access to the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the independent accountability mechanism for IFC and MIGA. CAO facilitates the resolution of complaints related to IFC and MIGA projects and sub-projects, undertakes reviews of IFC’s and MIGA’s environmental and social compliance, fosters public accountability for their commitments, and enhances the environmental and social performance of IFC and MIGA.

Independent of IFC and MIGA management and reporting directly to the IFC and MIGA Boards of Executive Directors, CAO helps resolve issues raised about the environmental and social impacts of projects through a neutral, collaborative, problem-solving approach via its Dispute Resolution function. It also reviews IFC’s and MIGA’s compliance with environmental and social policies, assesses related harm, and recommends remedial actions through its Compliance function. Additionally, CAO provides advice to IFC, MIGA, and their Boards to enhance environmental and social sustainability performance and minimize the risk of harm.

Complaints may relate to environmental and social harm regarding any aspect of the planning, implementation, or impact of a project or sub-project, and can be made by any individual, group, community, entity, or other party affected or likely to be affected by the environmental or social impacts of an IFC- or MIGA-financed business activity.

Complaints can be submitted by any of the following methods:

Online form: available at https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/
Mail/Hand Delivery to: 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA
Voice mail: +1 202 458 1973
Email: cao@worldbankgroup.org
SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal: +1 202 650 2627

CAO receives and addresses complaints in accordance with the CAO Policy, which can be accessed at: https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/policies-guidelines.

This Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS) is prepared by IFC to disclose its findings and recommendations related to environmental and social considerations regarding potential investments. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of IFC's activities. For any project documentation or data included or attached herein, whether prepared by the project sponsor or otherwise, authorization has been given for public release by the project sponsor. IFC considers that this ESRS is of adequate quality for release to the public, but has not necessarily independently verified all of the project information therein.
It is distributed in advance of IFC Board of Directors' consideration and may be periodically updated thereafter. Board dates are estimates only and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board Directors’ decision. The following ESRS is disclosed in accordance with IFC's Access to Information Policy (AIP).

The map is for illustrative purposes and does not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the World Bank, concerning the legal status of any country or territory or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries. Country borders or names do not necessarily reflect the World Bank Group's official position. In some cases, available project location information is limited to the country of the project's activities. Locations are approximate.

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