ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT IN THE OIL/GAS RICH ALBERTINE GRABEN(AG)

Presentation to journalist at the Africa Center for Media Excellence (ACME) 22nd August, 2012 By Dr Tom .O. Okurut Executive Director, NEMA

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

Background: env mgt and the AG

Legal and institutional frameworks

Technical preparedness o Issues and concerns Required Actions & Interventions

Environment Mgt in Uganda

NEMA was mandated by the Uganda constitution (NEA Cap
153) in 1995 to; coordinate, supervise, monitor and regulate all matters of the environment in Uganda. Essentially to regulate the interaction between people and the environment. This process in Uganda is decentralized, thus the need for coordination and supervision of stakeholders

Background to the Albertine Graben (AG)

The AG (Arua-Kanungu) is the most important eco region in Africa as it hosts the continent's most endemic vertebrate species i.e.;
14% of all African reptiles 19% of all African amphibians 35% of African butterflies 52% of all African birds 39% of all African mammals 70% of all Ugandan Protected areas are in the

Graben
4

EA5 RHINO CAMP BASIN Size 6,040sq.km Licensed to Neptune Petroleum (U) Ltd ( Now Tower Resources) on 27th Sept 2005

3N

EA1 PAKWACH BASIN Size 4,285 sq.km Licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and Energy Africa (now Tullow Oil) 0n 1st July 2004

East Madi Wildlife Reserve

EA2 LAKE ALBERT BASIN Size 4,675 sq.km Licensed to Hardman Resources Ltd and Enegy Africa Ltd (now Tullow Oil) on 8th October 2001.

Murchison Falls National Park

EA3A SEMLIKI BASIN Size 1,991sq.km First licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd as part of EA3 on 15th January 1997 Re-licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and Energy Africa (now Tullow Oil) on 8th Sept 2004.
1N

Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve

Semuliki National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

EA3B SEMLIKI BASIN Size 1,786 sq.km Includes Turaco Prospect Area Not licensed

Kibale National Park

EA4A LAKES EDWARD-GEORGE BASIN Size 3,812sq.km Not Licensed

Queen Elizabeth NP

EA4B LAKES EDWARD-GEORGE BASIN Size 2,021sq.km Licensed to Dominion Petroleum Ltd on 27th July 2007

Some of the tourist attractions (vertebrates) in the AG

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF OIL & GAS

The Framework

The current framework for management of oil & gas

resource is under a programme called: Strengthening the management of oil & gas in Uganda.
Resource management (PEPD),
Revenue Management (MFPED, BOU & URA) Environment Management (NEMA)

The Framework has 3 pillars:

Environmental Management Pillar

The objective of the Environment Management pillar is: To contribute towards ensuring that oil/gas activities are undertaken in a sustainable manner by strengthening the capacity of the other stakeholders and overseeing the activities of other players in the petroleum industry in accordance with Ugandas environmental policies.
NEMA remains the coordinator of the Pillar by virtue of

its legal mandate as the principal agency for environmental management in Uganda
9

Environmental Management Pillar Institutions

Other partner institutions include:

Uganda Wildlife Authority Directorate of Water Resources Management National Forestry Authority Directorate of Environmental Affairs Directorate of Physical Planning and Land use

The Department of Fisheries Resources Districts in the Albertine Graben

These institutions work with other relevant

institutions and organisations

10

INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL PREPAREDNESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE GRABEN

11

Preparatory Studies & Tools in Place

1.

Environmental Sensitivity Atlas for Albertine Graben

The sensitivity atlas was prepared to show the environmental sensitivity of the Albertine Graben. Issues assessed included biological resources, water resources, cultural sites, forests, wetlands, soils, settlements

The information in the sensitivity atlas is the first baseline study undertaken for the Graben & forms the basis for monitoring.
12

Environmental Sensitivity Atlas cont.

The sensitivity of biodiversity can be

categorized in terms of endemism and threatened species, or on species richness, among other categories The sensitivity atlas identified the following sensitivities: Sensitivity of Mammals to vibrations from seismic survey, movement of heavy equipment & the drilling activity Sensitivity of fisheries resources to high frequency noise from petroleum development activities; oil spills, & pollution from hydrocarbon compounds and chemicals from mud cuttings.

13

Sensitivity atlas cont

Sensitivity of plants due to clearing

of sites thereby causing disturbance of vegetation; oil spills and pollution. Sensitivity of wetlands due to exposure to potential threats of excessive water abstraction, degradation of water catchments and wetland conversions. Sensitivity of water resources (surface & groundwater) effects on quantity and quality e.g. the

Sensitivity of soils soil is prone to

delta region (richest in diversity with highest oil prospects)

erosion due to improper land cover management & the erosive factor of rainfall
14

Sensitivity atlas cont

Map shows overall

biodiversity sensitivity, based on animal & plant species richness & conservation status. The delta region, Mount Rwenzori and Bwindi are the most sensitive areas; followed by Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and the Kibale national Parks.

15

Preparatory Studies & Tools in Place

2. Environmental Monitoring Plan for the Graben, 2012
Purpose of the Monitoring Plan This is a monitoring tool developed to be used for continuous monitoring of changes in the environment of the Graben against sensitivities identified in the atlas. It is a tool to be used by all the institutions highlighted earlier. The Plan is expected to:

Improve performance of lead agencies. Improve compliance levels. Enhance institutional collaboration. Encourage stakeholder participation in compliance monitoring. Enhance national capacity to assess, predict and mitigate likely effects of Oil and Gas activities on environment.
16

Environmental Monitoring Plan cont

The Monitoring Plan is structured along 5 thematic areas: a) Aquatic ecological issues b) Terrestrial ecological issues c) Physical/chemical issues d) Society issues e) Management and business issues For each of these themes, specific institutions are charged with the responsibility of undertaking the monitoring & reporting

17

Environmental Monitoring Plan cont

The following have been undertaken to date:

Data gaps in the sensitivity atlas have been identified for

each of the themes & data filling initiated for the baseline. Monitoring indicators for each theme have been developed, prioritized & tested. Monitoring manuals have been developed & are ready for use. Capacity needs assessment study was done for each of the institutions & both technical & resource (equipment & finances) needs were identified. A capacity development plan is being put in place

18

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Activities

As required by the

National Environment Act Cap 153, all ongoing oil & gas exploration activities have been subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment and approval granted by NEMA; Multi-sectoral monitoring team (executive, technical & field-based) was put in place to carry out quarterly monitoring & has representation from:
NEMA, UWA,PEPD, NFA,

DWRM, FD, DEA, DOSH

19

Compliance & Enforcement activities cont

NEMA opened a temporal field Office in the Albertine Graben in January 2010 with one staff; recruited 2 temporary staff to specifically handle oil & gas activities, to be based in the field; has proposed to establish a regional office in Hoima to effectively manage oil and gas issues to cover the entire Graben

20

Compliance and Enforcement Activities Cont

A strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being

carried out for the Albertine Graben, to be completed by December 2012 Objective of SEA is to ensure that environmental issues are broadly considered & integrated into major decisions connected to policy, plans & programs associated with the oil & gas sector at the earliest stage. A framework for compliance monitoring & enforcement has been developed & is due for piloting An oil spill contingency plan is being developed, to be ready by December 2012
21

LEGAL PREPAREDNESS

22

1. Operational Waste Management Guidelines for Oil & Gas

Operational Waste Management Guidelines have been

issued to guide on most appropriate waste disposal methods - June 2012. The Guidelines are framed on the need to: Consider environmental and economic costs & benefits Minimize waste spillage. Respond to waste characteristics determined to date. Meet the current world practices for managing exploration & production of oil waste Monitor any impact to ground water at any of the consolidation sites Apply current National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations
23

2. Review of the existing legislation

The review and/or update of the following legislation has been initiated,

to be completed by March 2013: National Environment (EIA) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-1 National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-2 National Environment (Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or on Land) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-3 National Environment (Audit) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2006 National Environment (Noise Standard and Control) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 30 of 2003, to incorporate vibration pollution National Air Quality standards (NAQS) draft Oil Spills Regulations and Guidelines National Environmental Act Cap. 153 24

Legal Framework Preparedness cont

NEMA made comments to strengthen environmental issues in the draft Petroleum (Exploration, Development & Production) Bill, 2012

25

PROGRESS MADE BY OTHER ENVIRONMENT PILLAR INSTITUTIONS

26

STATE OF INSTITUTIONAL PREPAREDNESS BY THE KEY LEAD AGENCIES (PEPD, UWA, DFR, DWRM,NFA and MLHUD)

A draft General Management Plan for Queen Elizabeth National Park has been prepared incorporating oil & gas issues; A draft General Management Plan for Murchison Falls National Park is being prepared; A forest Management Plan for Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve has been finalized; Fisheries frame surveys on Lake Albert & Albert Nile to establish fisheries baseline have been carried out Physical Planning in areas facing intense pressure from oil and gas has been initiated

27

ISSUES AND CONCERNS

Funding to NEMA - GOU (Vote 150) has been reducing

annually - 2011/12 2012/13

NEMA prepared a specific budget of UGX 4 billion for

oil/gas management but it was not factored in the current budget; and hence, no budget for oil & gas activities listed above Funding to the partner institutions for oil & gas environment activities was also not factored in the budget Low technical capacity within NEMA and Lead Agencies; Inadequate integration of oil and gas issues into the current policies & legislation

28

REQUIRED ACTIONS & INTERVENTIONS

Media should take keen interest in the petroleum sector. A

knowledgeable media is critical in forming a critical mass that is needed to influence policy, legislation and funding for the relevant sectors.
Media whenever possible should invest indeed in training

media to report accurately on the sector and to keep the public fully informed accurately.
The media should pick interest in reporting environment

and science generally. Every Ugandan lives off the environment in one way or the other (land, air, water etc). It is critical that the masses are educated through media on the matter.
29

THE END

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

30