Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Timissit Exploration Project (Block 210) Algeria, July 2015 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit Table of Content Table of Content Non Technical Summary i 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Structure of the ESIA report 3 1.3 Presentation of Statoil 4 1.4 Contractors that have supported Statoil in the ESIA development 5 1.4.1 Environmental Resources Management (ERM) - main contractor 5 1.4.2 Local consultancy BEXAM – ERM’s subcontractor 5 2 Administrative and Regulatory Framework 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Administrative and Institutional Framework 9 2.2.1 Overview of National, Regional and Local Framework 9 2.2.2 Key regulatory authorities and institutions for the Timissit project 10 2.2.3 Ministry of Land-Use Planning and Environment (MATE) 11 2.2.4 Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM) 11 2.2.5 Ministry of Water Resources 13 2.2.6 Regional authorities 14 2.3 Algerian Legislative Framework 15 2.3.1 Overview 15 2.3.2 The Hydrocarbon Laws 16 2.3.3 The Environmental Regulatory Framework 16 2.3.4 Key Permits Required For Hydrocarbon Exploration 17 2.3.5 Applicable Algerian Regulations and Reference Values of International Standards 23 2.4 International Guidelines and References Standards for the Timissit Exploration Project 38 2.4.1 Overview 38 2.4.2 International conventions and multilateral agreements 38 2.4.3 International best practices and guidelines 39 2.5 Statoil Internal Standards and Procedures 41 3 Project Description 45 3.1 Introduction 45 3.1.1 Project organisation 46 3.1.2 Project schedule 46 3.1.3 The Timissit License 48 3.1.4 Project’s footprint 48 3.1.5 Project Alternatives 51 3.1.6 Infrastructure 53 3.1.7 Water sourcing and water consumption 56 3.2 Drilling, Stimulation and Testing Operations 57 3.2.1 Well Site Location 57 3.2.2 Well Site Preparation 58 3.2.3 Drilling Vertical and Horizontal Wells 59 3.2.4 Hydraulic Stimulation and Testing 69 3.2.5 Well Testing 77 3.2.6 Logistics 77 ERM – BEXAM Statoil Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit Table of Content 3.2.7 Waste management – drilling operations 78 3.2.8 Decommissioning 81 3.3 Seismic operations 82 3.3.1 Areas of seismic interest 82 3.3.2 Vibroseis and line clearance 83 3.3.3 Uphole drilling 85 3.3.4 Seismic facilities and logistics 86 3.3.5 Waste management – seismic operation 88 3.3.6 Decommissioning 89 3.4 Health, Safety and Security 90 4 Environmental and Social Baseline 93 4.1 Introduction 93 4.2 Physical Environment 94 4.2.1 Introduction 94 4.2.2 Climate 94 4.2.3 Air Quality 97 4.2.4 Noise Conditions 98 4.2.5 Geology, Seismicity and NORM 99 4.2.6 Geomorphology and Topography 104 4.2.7 Soils 107 4.2.8 Hydrology 110 4.2.9 Hydrogeology 111 4.3 Biological environment 116 4.3.1 Introduction 116 4.3.2 Overview of the Ecology of the Study Area- Regional Context 116 4.3.3 General Habitats in the Study Area 118 4.3.4 Flora and Vegetation 129 4.3.5 Fauna 140 4.3.6 Protected and Designated Areas 151 4.4 Socioeconomic environment 153 4.4.1 Overview and administration structure of the Study Area 153 4.4.2 Data Sources and Assumptions 154 4.4.3 Demographics 155 4.4.4 Economy, employment and livelihoods 162 4.4.5 National and regional development plans 171 4.4.6 Land Use and Ownership Structure 172 4.4.7 Infrastructure and Public Services 176 4.4.8 Education 182 4.4.9 Public health 184 4.5 Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Baseline 186 4.5.2 Archaeological National Legal and Planning Framework 187 4.5.3 Physical Background 187 4.5.4 International World Heritage sites in Algeria 190 4.5.5 Archaeological and Historical Background – Regional context 192 4.5.6 Results of Field Survey 193 4.5.7 Potential Archaeology in the Study Area 197 4.5.8 Intangible cultural heritage 198 4.5.9 Previous Impacts 199 4.6 Evidence of existing and past O&G operations 199 Statoil ERM – BEXAM Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit Table of Content 5 Evaluation of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 208 5.1 Introduction 208 5.2 Impact Identification and scoping 208 5.3 Assessment Criteria 213 5.4 Potential environmental impacts during the seismic exploration activities 215 5.4.1 Air Quality (AQ1) 215 5.4.2 Noise (N1) 216 5.4.3 Surface Water (SW1) 216 5.4.4 Groundwater (GW1) 218 5.4.5 Geomorphology and Natural landscape (GM1) 219 5.4.6 Soils (S1) 221 5.4.7 Flora and Vegetation (FL1) 222 5.4.8 Fauna (FA1) 224 5.4.9 Economy, Employment and Livelihoods (EC1) 225 5.4.10 Infrastructure and Services (IF1) 228 5.4.11 Community Health, Safety and Security (PH1) 230 5.4.12 Cultural Heritage (CH1) 233 5.4.13 Closure and Decommissioning (CD1) 235 5.5 Assessment Summary of Potential Environmental & Social Impacts during the Seismic Exploration Activities 237 5.6 Potential Environmental impacts during the Drilling and Hydraulic Stimulation activities 238 5.6.1 Air Quality (AQ2) 238 5.6.2 Noise (N2) 239 5.6.3 Surface Water (SW2) 240 5.6.4 Overexploitation of groundwater aquifer (GW2) 242 5.6.5 Geomorphology and Natural landscape (GM2) 243 5.6.6 Soils (S2) 246 5.6.7 Flora (FL2) 247 5.6.8 Fauna (FA2) 248 5.6.9 Economy, Employment and Livelihoods (EC2) 250 5.6.10 Infrastructure and Services (IF2) 251 5.6.11 Community Health, Safety and Security (PH2) 254 5.6.12 Cultural Heritage (CH2) 257 5.6.13 Closure and Decommissioning (CD2) 257 5.7 Assessment Summary of Potential Environmental & Social impacts during the Drilling and Hydraulic Stimulation activities 259 5.8 Accidental and Non-routine events (AE) 260 5.8.1 Blow-Out (AE1) 263 5.8.2 Contamination of Groundwater (AE2) 265 5.9 Assessment Summary of Accidental and Non Routine Events Impacts during the Drilling and Hydraulic Stimulation activities 275 5.10 Cumulative impacts 275 6 Environmental Management Plan 279 6.1 Purpose 279 6.2 Structure of the EMP 279 6.3 Roles and responsibilities 281 6.3.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Statoil 281 6.3.2 Roles and responsibilities of Contractors 282 ERM – BEXAM Statoil Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit Table of Content 6.4 Outlines of plans, programs and procedures 282 6.4.1 Plan for Prevention and Control of Pollution 282 6.4.2 Plan for Intervention in case of pollution 284 6.4.3 Plan for Management of contaminated sites and soil 284 6.4.4 Plan for Management of liquid and gaseous waste 284 6.4.5 Plan for Management of Borrow Pits (Quarries) 285 6.4.6 Plan for the shutting down and restoration of site 286 6.4.7 Plan for Traffic/Journey Management Plan 286 6.4.8 Plan for Worker Management 286 6.4.9 Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan (PCDP) 287 6.4.10 Plan for Local Content 287 6.5 Estimate for Mitigation Measures 287 References 291 Statoil ERM – BEXAM Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit List of Acronyms List of Acronyms ABHS Agency of the Sahara Hydrographic Basin (in French Agence du Bassin Hydrographique Sahara) ACPP Canadien Association of Oil Producers (in French Association canadienne des producteurs pétroliers) AfDB African Development Bank (in French Groupe de la Banque africaine de Développement) ALNAFT National Agency for Hydrocarbon Resources Valuation (agence National pour la Valorisation des Ressources en Hydrocarbures) ANRH National Agency of Hydraulic Resources (from French, Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques) APC Communal Popular Assembly (Assemblée Populaire Communale) API American Petroleum Institute APW Wilaya´s Popular Assembly (Assemblée Populaire Wilayale) ARH Hydrocarbons Regulation Authority (in French Autorité de Régulation des Hydrocarbures) ASGA Association of African Geological Surveys BCP Blowout Contingency Plan BOP Blow-out preventers BP Before Present BTEX Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xilene C.F.P.A Vocational Training Center (in French called Centre de Formation Professionelle et d’Apprentissage) CAPP Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers CCEC Board of Control for Classified Facilities (Commission de Contrôle des Établissements Classés de Wilaya) CFT Chemical Frac Tracer CI Intercalary Continental (from French, Continental Intercalaire) CNRPH National Centre of Research in Prehistory, Anthroplogy and History (in French, Centre National de Recherches Préhistoriques, Anthropologiques et Historiques) CRAAG Centre of Research in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics CT Terminal Complex (from French, Complexe Terminal) DEM Digital Elevation Model DEW Regional Directorates of the Environment (Directions de l´environnement de la Wilaya) DGRE Department of Water Resources (Département Général des Ressources en Eau) DHW Wilaya Hydraulic Directorate (from French, Direction Hydraulique de la Wilaya) DPAT Department of Planning and Regional Development (in French Direction de la Planification et de l’Aménagement du Territoire) DPSB Budget Monitoring and Preparation Directorate (in French Direction de la Programmation et du Suivi ERM – BEXAM Statoil Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit List of Acronyms du Budget) DTC Polio Diphtérie-Tétanos-Coqueluche-Polio EAM Environmental, Assessment and Management EAQG European Air Quality Guideline EDD Industrial Risk Assessment (Étude de Danger) EGSA Etablissement de Gestion des Services Aéroportuaires d'Alger EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EPH Hospital (in French Etablissements Publics Hospitaliers) EPSP Health Centre (in French Etablissements Public de Santé Hospitaliers) ERM Environmental Resources Management ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessments ESRI Enviromental Systems Research Institute FAO Food and Agricultural Organization FIT Formation Integrity Tests GHG Greenhouse gas GII Gender Inequality Index GIS Geographic information system GPD Gross Domestic Product GW Gigawatts HC Hydrocarbons HDPE High Density Polyethylene HSE Health, Safety & Environment IAGC International Association of GeoChemistry IGN Institute National de l´Information Géographique et Forestiére IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature KCl Potassium Cloride KPMG Kynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (accounting firm) LOT leak-off tests LSRP Liquid Spill Response Plan Statoil ERM – BEXAM Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit List of Acronyms MATE Ministry of Land Planning and the Environment (in French Ministère de l´aménagement du Territoire et de l´Environnement) MEM Ministry of Energy and Mining (in French Ministère de l´Energie et des Mines) MOC Management of Change MP Management Plan MPN Most Probable Number MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ethylene NCDC National Climate Data Center NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NORM Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material NR National Road NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units O&G Oil and Gas OBM Oil-based muds OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OGP International Association of Oil and Gas Producers ONM Meteorological National Office (from French, Office National de Météorologie) ONS Office for National Statistics (in French Office Nationale des Statistiques) OSS Sahara and Sahel Observatory (from French, L’Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel) P&A Plug and Abandonment PAC Poly Aluminium Chloride PCDP Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan PDAU Development Plans and Urban Planning (in French Plan de Développements et d’Aménagements Urbain PHPA Partially Hydrolyzed PolyacrylAmide PNUD United Nations Development Program (in Franch Programme des Nations Unis pour le développement) RA Radioactive RGPH General Population and Housing Census (in French Recensement Général de la Population et de l´Habitat) SAPP Sodium Acid PyroPhosphate SASS North West Sahara Aquifer System (from French, Système d’Aquiferes du Sahara Septentrional) SDS Safety Data Sheet ERM – BEXAM Statoil Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Timissit List of Acronyms SP Pumping Station (in French Station de Pompage) S-P-R Source-Pathway-Receptor STDs Sexually Transmitted Diseases TAC Carbonate Trias Clay Aquifer TAGI Lower Triassic Clayey Sandstone Aquifer TAGI Lower Triasic Aquifere (in French Trias Argilo-Greseux Inferieur) TAGS Upper Triassic Clayey Sandstone Aquifer TB Tuberculosis TBC Tuberculosis TCC Thermtech Cuttings Cleaner TCU True Colour Units TOC Total Organic Carbon TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons TSS Total Suspended Solids UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation USGS United States Geological Survey USW Urban Solid Waste UTM Universal Transverse Mercator VOC Volatile Organic Compounds WB World Bank WBM Water-based muds WGS World Geodetic System WHO World Health Organisation WTO World Trade Organization WWF World Wildlife Foundation ZHUN New urban zone (in French : La nouvelle Zone Urbaine) Statoil ERM – BEXAM