ExxonMobil secures environmental permit for Uaru Development Project

- permit comprehensively addresses all safeguards reasonably necessary to protect human health, the environment, EPA says

The following is the full statement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

THE EPA has approved the Uaru Petroleum Development Project. The agency granted a five-year Environmental Permit to Esso

Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to undertake the construction and operation of petroleum production facilities, within the Stabroek Block, Offshore Guyana.

The approval of the Environmental Impact Assess- ment and granting of the Environmental Permit were done in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05. The approval of the project comes after the EPA considered public inputs during all statutory periods for public consultations and review.

The EPA also took into consideration the technical review and recommendations from a team of independent international experts, and the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB). The EAB reviewed and declared the revised EIA acceptable and provided recommendations to the EPA for its consideration for inclusion in the Environmental Permit.

The Uaru Project is the fifth petroleum development project to have been permitted in the Stabroek Block. The permit granted, comprehensively addressed all environmental and social safeguards that are reasonably necessary to protect human health and the environment, including implied conditions as provided for in section 13 of the Environmental Protection Act.

Key Provisions In The Permit

Flaring - Like its predecessors, the Uaru Permit strictly prohibits routine flaring and venting, and specifies that flaring is only permissible during commissioning, startup and special circumstances. The permit also maintains payments in instances where flaring is conducted beyond permitted durations.

Produced Water

The permit requires the holder to ensure that the oil content specification of produced water to be discharged does not exceed 42 mg/L on a daily basis or 29 mg/L on a monthly average.

Further, the permit requires the holder to examine and develop a plan for a phased reduction of oil content specification of produced water to levels lower than the above standards and in keeping with good international petroleum industry practices.

Liabilities

Among the conditions in the permit which cater for liability are:

• The permit holder shall bear all costs of the restoration, rehabilitation and compensation required as a result of damage incurred due to an oil spill or other emergency resulting from the execution of the project. The costs herein referred to shall be independently assessed and evaluated by a third-party determined by the Agency. Nothing c ontained herein shall prejudice the right of public and private actors to pursue criminal and/or civil action against the permit holder.

• The permit holder is liable for all costs associated with clean up, restoration and compensation for any damages caused by any discharge of any contaminant, including the cost of all investigations into pollution incidents or discharge of contaminants, conducted at the instance of Agency.

• The permit holder shall compensate any person who suffers any loss or damage as a result of any contravention of section 19(1), in accordance with section 19(3)(e) of the Environmental Protection Act Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana.

• The permit holder, his Servants and/or agents shall be liable for any material or serious environmental harm caused by their pollu-