Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Non-Technical Summary
EOG Resources Trinidad Block 4(a) Unlimited (EOGRT4(a)U) plans to install an offshore
drilling and production platform and a 18” subsea pipeline, as well as conduct the drilling of up
to six (6) development and production wells from the Production Platform in Block 4(a).
Figure 1: Location of Block 4(a) off the east coast of Trinidad
EOGRT4(a)U has applied to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for a Certificate
of Environmental Clearance (CEC) for this development. A copy of the CEC Application is
provided in Appendix A. The EMA has requested that an Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) be conducted to determine the scope of the project, the potential impacts and the measures
that should be taken to mitigate these impacts. The EMA has provided a Terms of Reference
(TOR) for the EIA contained in the “Final Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact
Assessment – CEC1924/2007” shown in Appendix A.
Page i Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Project Description
This development will consist of a single platform installed by the EOG Resources Trinidad
Block 4(a) Unlimited (EOGRT4(a)U) in approximately 132 m of water and located
approximately 70 km from the east coast of Trinidad. The Toucan Platform will be a wellhead
and full gas processing facility capable of handling up to twelve 26” well conductors, performing
2-phase separation of some 200 MMscf/d of gas and associated fluids, metering and exporting
the gas. The facility will be a manned operation with a 14-person accommodation quarters, and
it will include power generation, fire and safety systems and other utilities. It will not include
dehydration or process heaters. Condensate handling and gas compression are provided for in
the design as future additions. The Toucan Platform is a conventional structure with a 4-leg
Jacket, 8 – 72” OD x 340 feet long skirt piles (no main piles), and a Deck with 3 levels and some
32,000 square feet of grated deck area.
An approximately 29 km 18” pipeline will be laid westward of the proposed Toucan Production
Platform to a subsea tie-in point on the proposed NGC NEO pipeline.
The main activities of this project include:
•
Fabrication and assembly of the topsides and jacket at the respective construction yards
•
Load out and Transportation of the Drilling and Production Platform from the TOFCO yard
in La Brea to its offshore location
•
Load out and Transportation of the Jacket from the Gulf of Mexico to its offshore location
•
Installation of the jacket and topsides by the installation vessel
•
Drilling and well testing of the development wells
•
Installation of the 18” 29 km pipeline and subsea tie-in to NGC’s NEO Pipeline
•
Hook up and commissioning of the Toucan platform and the subsea pipeline
•
Routine operations of the Toucan Production Platform
Environmental Description
EOGRT4(a)U commissioned an offshore survey conducted in April 2005 by Continental Shelf
Associates Inc., to collect environmental baseline data for Block 4(a). The following data was
collected at 20 stations distributed across the Block:
Page ii Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment o Water Quality Survey
o Sediment Quality Survey
o Grain Size Analysis
o Macro Benthic Survey
o Water Column Hydrographic Profiling
o Topographic Features Survey
Regionally, this portion of the East Trinidad Shelf slopes gently to the east. The Toucan
Production Platform proposed location is located between the 140m and 150m isobaths on a
gently sloping sea bed. Current directions are predominantly north throughout the water column
(with periods of almost constant northerly direction). The time series plots for the level closest
to sea-bed shows the most variation in direction which is expected as the currents are not fully
defined and represented at this level. At all depths in the water column, current speeds exceeded
0.5m/s, for the entire measurement period.
Block 4(a) is characterised by warm well-oxygenate, very clear, open ocean waters with slightly
less saline near surface waters. In general the following conclusions on water and sediment
quality for Block 4(a) can be made:
•
The levels of trace metals within the water column are below the quality criteria USEPA
quoted by the USEPA (1986). The TPH concentration was slightly elevated compared to
recent levels reported for the surrounding area.
•
Trace metals concentrations within the marine sediments were below levels that would
evoke a toxic response from organisms, however comparisons with nearby fields indicate
that the study area has been influenced by upstream oil and gas activities.
•
Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations were higher than reported levels for nearby fields
on the east coast.
There are ten (10) main wetland systems occurring along the east coast of Trinidad vulnerable to
possible spill events that may occur from the proposed Toucan Development Production drilling
programme and routine operations. The area within Block 4(a) does not contain any seagrass
Page iii Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment beds. The seafloor is composed of a stratified mixture of silty sand and clay, with a patchy
distribution of irregularly shaped carbonate rubble mixed in the surface sediment layers.
Trinidad is on one of the main avifaunal migration routes, travelling south down the chain of the
Antilles from North America. Generally the west coast of Trinidad has larger populations of both
seabirds and shorebirds when compared to the east coast. Historically the waters of Trinidad and
Tobago have been reported with concentrations of Cetaceas and Sirenia populations, with
depletions resulting from direct anthropogenic impact of overharvesting. It is possible that the
waters still serve as a habitat for marine mammal species. Turtles have been reported nesting on
beaches off the east coast of Trinidad; four species in particular have been identified.
Analysis of the macrobenthic organisms gives a Shannon’s species diversity ranged from 0 –
3.05, with an average of 1.80. The average value is within the range of species diversities
previously recorded for the east coast marine area.
The main commercially important fish species on the east coast of Trinidad are:
•
Coastal Pelagic Species: carite or Serra Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus brasiliensis),
kingfish or King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) several species of sharks (Sphyrna
tudes, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, Carcharhinus porosus, and C. limbatus), cavalli (Caranx
hippos), ancho (Pomatomus saltatrix), small tunas and jacks. •
Inshore demersal species: croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), salmon (comprising several
Cynoscion sp.; Macrodon ancylodon), blinch (Diapterus spp.), redfish/snapper (primarily
Lutjanus synagris), grunts (several species of Haemulon and Orthopristis; Genyatremus
luteus) and catfish (several species of Bagre and Arius).
•
Offshore demersal species: southern red snapper (Lutjanus purpureus), dog snapper, (L.
jocu), vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens,
groupers Epinephelus spp. and
Mycteroperca spp.
An examination of the fishing activities on the east coast of Trinidad was focused on five main
fishing sites: Toco, Manzanilla, Mayaro, Ortoire and Guayaguayare Seawall. It was established
Page iv Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment that the main methods of fishing were gillnetting, seines, fishpots, palangue and pelagic line
methods.
An assessment of the socio-economic conditions in the study area is an integral part of the
environmental impact assessment process.
This assessment will determine the directr and
indirect impacts or implications of project activity on the socio-cultural and economic activities
in the study area. Due to the marine based nature of the project it is not expected to impact on
the area’s coastal communities. For this purposes of a social assessment, a land based study area
encompassed the coastal areas between Guayaguayare and Manzanilla.
Generally the entire study area is characterised by a low population density and is one of the
least populated regions in the country. The region has unemployment levels generally higher
than the national average with employment tending to be in low level jobs.
The main socio-economic activities within the study area are the production and distribution of
oil and gas, agriculture, commercial fishing, domestic tourism and limited commercial activities
(small and micro enterprises).
Environmental Impacts
The different phases of the Toucan Field Development Project were further broken down into the
individual activities that can impact on the environment. For each key activity the environmental
aspect was identified (e.g. smothering by drill cuttings). The potential impacts of these aspects
were then identified and quantified by applying the following criteria:
•
Probability of Likelihood/Frequency (continuous, high, medium, low)
•
Potential Severity of Impact (Major, Moderate, Minor, Negligible)
For each phase the following impacts were identified as significant:
•
Transportation of the Toucan Production Platform Offshore
o Impacts from spills to sea
Page v Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment o Impacts on Fishing Activities
•
Installation of Toucan Production Platform Offshore
o Impacts from spills to sea
o Impacts on Benthic communities resulting from the installation of jacket piles into
the seabed
o Impacts on Fishing Activities
•
Transportation, Installation and Removal of the Platform Drilling Rig
o Impacts to benthic communities resulting from the physical impact of the anchors
•
Drilling of the Natural Gas Wells
o Impacts from Noise
o Impacts from Increased Marine Traffic (supply vessels)
o Impacts from Accidental Fuel Spills
o Impacts on benthic communities resulting from the discharge of drill cuttings
•
Installation of 18” Pipeline form Toucan Production Platform to the NGC NEO subsea
tie-in
o Impacts to the benthic communities resulting from the installation of the pipeline
o Impacts to the benthic communities resulting from the physical presence of the
pipeline on the seabed
o Impacts on Fishing Activities due to pipe laying activities
•
Routine Operations of the Toucan Production Platform
o Impacts from Spills to sea
o Impacts to benthic communities due to the long term physical presence of the
platform on the seabed
o Impacts to fishing activities
The following summarises the impacts, mitigation and monitoring plan that will be used to
manage the potential impacts from this project:
Page vi Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Marine Traffic
Impacting Activity
Summary of Mitigation Measures
• Transportation of
the Toucan
Production
Platform Offshore
•
The transportation of the platform and the platform drilling rig will be carried out in
accordance with the rules and regulation governing the movement of large vessels
in Trinidad and Tobago coastal and ‘continental shelf’ waters as set out by the
Maritime Services Division of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Installation of
Toucan Production
Platform
•
Notice to Mariners will be advertised in print media and broadcast on North Post
Radio
• Transportation,
installation and
removal of
platform drilling
rig
•
EOGRT4(a)U will maintain logs of vessel traffic encountered
•
EOGRT4(a)U will co-operate with the other Chaguaramas and east coast
stakeholders in any programme of marine traffic control developed
• Drilling of the
Natural Gas wells
•
The production platform and platform drilling rig will be situated outside the
international shipping lane
• Installation of the
18” Pipeline
•
During the transportation phases, the production platform, platform drilling rig and
towing vessels will all be marked and lit in accordance with the Trinidad and
Tobago maritime regulation as set out by the Maritime Services Division.
•
Internal combustion engines (such as generators) will be maintained in accordance
to manufacturer’s recommendations to reduce the emission of combustion gases
such as SO2, NO2 and CO.
•
A gas detection system will be in place on the production platform to provide early
detection of leaks
•
Venting will only occur as a safeguard in the event of an emergency
•
All vessels will be subjected to internal and external audits
• Routine Operations
• Transportation of
the Production
Platform Offshore
Air Quality
• Installation of
Toucan Production
Platform
• Transportation,
installation and
removal of
Monitoring Plan
•
Monitor shipping in the
vicinity of rig. Daily
Reports produced.
• Routine maintenance of
the gas detection system
Page vii Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Impacting Activity
Summary of Mitigation Measures
Monitoring Plan
platform drilling
rig
• Drilling of the
Natural Gas wells
• Installation of the
18” Pipeline
• Routine Operations
• Transportation of
the Toucan
Production
Platform Offshore
• Installation of
Production
Platform
Solid Wastes
• Transportation,
installation and
removal of
platform drilling
rig
•
The storage and disposal of solid wastes generated by the offshore vessels and the
platform will be managed according to EOGRT4(a)U Waste Management Plan
which does not allow the discharge of any solid waste material offshore.
•
All solid wastes will be stored properly and transported to shore to the Chaguarams
base where it will be treated and disposal
•
A EOGRT4(a)U representative will be on board at all times to ensure compliance
with all local, international and EOGRT4(a)U HSE standards
•
Total solid wastes
generated will be
monitored and
recorded on a weekly
basis during the entire
Toucan Drilling
Programme.
•
During the production
phase, a log of the total
solid wastes generated
will be monitored and
recorded on a weekly
basis
• Drilling of the
Natural Gas wells
• Installation of the
18” Pipeline
• Routine Operations
Page viii Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Impacting Activity
• Transportation of
the Toucan
Production
Platform Offshore
• Installation of
Production
Platform
Sanitation and
Domestic
Waste
• Transportation,
installation and
removal of
platform drilling
rig
• Drilling of the
Natural Gas wells
Summary of Mitigation Measures
•
The discharges will be managed by EOGRT4(a)U Waste Management Plan
•
The discharges will meet the Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Effluent Specification
(Specification for the Effluent from Industrial Processes Discharge into the
Environment TTS 547:1998)
•
The discharges will be in accordance with MARPOL standards
•
EOGRT4(a)U representatives will be on board at all times to ensure compliance
with all local, international and EOGRT4(a)U HSE standards
•
Sewage on the platform will be handled by an onboard marine sanitation device,
Pac Marine Sanitation Device.
•
The marine sanitation device will be properly serviced and maintained to ensure its
proper working condition
•
All possible fuel spills are managed by EOGRT4(a)U Emergency Response Plan
which is currently in place.
• Installation of the
18” Pipeline
Monitoring Plan
•
Effluent discharge will
be collected at the
platform to determine
the actual faecal
coliform levels being
discharge into the
marine environment on
a monthly basis
•
Daily visual
monitoring of the
environment for spills
• Routine Operations
Potential fuel
spills,
chemical spills
and accidental
release impacts
All
•
All personnel will be trained in oil response.
•
Containment of potential spill areas by primary and secondary bunding.
Page ix Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Drilling Fluids
and Muds
Discharge
Drill Cuttings
Pipeline
Hydrotest
Water
Discharge
Impacting Activity
•
•
•
Drilling of the
Natural Gas Wells
Drilling of the
Natural Gas Wells
Hook Up and
Commissioning of
the 18” pipeline
Summary of Mitigation Measures
•
All drilling fluids and muds will be on the MEEI approved list of chemicals to be
used offshore
•
Synthetic Oil Based Muds will not be used in the drilling process
•
Only low toxicity Water Based Muds will be used in the drilling programme
•
All drilling fluids and muds will be on the MEEI approved list of chemicals to be
used offshore
•
The drill cuttings will be immediately discharged below the water surface
•
All drill cuttings will not be released simultaneously but rather at intervals during
the drilling phase
•
EOGRT4(a)U does not plan to add biocides to the seawater during the hydrotesting
•
All chemicals, including dyes will on the MEEI approved list of chemicals to be
used offshore
•
If in the event biocides are necessary, the hydrotest discharge water will be
neutralised prior to discharge into the marine environment.
Monitoring Plan
•
The drilling fluids to be
used will be tested for
Acute Toxicity LC50
(96Hr)
•
A Macrobenthic Survey
will be conducted within
1 month and 18 months
of completion of the
drilling programme
•
A Macrobenthic Survey
will be conducted within
1 month and 18 months
of completion of the
drilling programme
Page x Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Impacting Activity
• Transportation of
the Toucan
Production
Platform Offshore
Summary of Mitigation Measures
•
A site survey was conducted throughout the study area. The data collected
included bathymetry, sub-bottom profiling and sediment grabs
•
The installation of the pipeline will not involve dredging of the seabed but instead
the pipeline will lie on the surface of the seabed.
•
The drilling programme and the operation of the production platform are conducted
under “best practices” using the highest international industry standards
•
The platform drilling rig has several well barriers to reduce the loss of well control:
o Primary barrier – the use of weighted drilling fluids
o Secondary barrier – surface blow out prevention (BOP) equipment
o Ability to shear the drill pipe and shut in well
o All well personnel on the drill floor are trained in several techniques
for managing the potential for loss of well control
• Installation of
Toucan Production
Platform
Benthic
Communities
Monitoring Plan
• A Macrobenthic Survey
will be conducted within
1 month and 18 months
of completion of the
drilling programme
• Transportation,
installation and
removal of
platform drilling
rig
• Drilling of the
Natural Gas wells
• Installation of the
18” Pipeline
Loss of Well
Control
•
Drilling of the
Natural Gas wells
Page xi Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Produced
Water
Deck
Discharges
Impacting Activity
•
The produced water will undergo separation and treatment aboard the Toucan
production platform to remove hydrocarbons (to meet acceptable discharge
standards) before being discharged to the sea.
•
There will be no discharge of free oil in deck drainage
•
All equipment will be tied into the sump and water potentially contaminated with
oil will be sent to the water skimmer
•
All chemicals will have secondary containment
•
Discharges will be managed by EOGRT4(a)U Waste Management Plan
•
All waste disposed will be in accordance with EOGRT4(a)U Waste Management
Plan
•
All chemical will have secondary containment
•
No solid waste will be discharged overboard from the vessels and production
platform.
•
EOGRT4(a)U representatives will be on board to ensure adherence to the Waste
Management Plan
•
Personnel will also be trained on the platform drilling rig and the crane and lay
barges to be on the lookout for marine mammals and turtles.
• Routine Operation
• Routine Operations
• Transportation of
the Toucan
Production
Platform Offshore
Marine
Mammals and
Turtles
Summary of Mitigation Measures
• Installation of
Toucan Production
Platform
• Transportation,
installation and
removal of
platform drilling
rig
• Drilling of the
Monitoring Plan
Monthly sampling for TPH,
BOD, TSS, pH and
temperature will be
conducted by EOGRT4(a)U
to ensure compliance with
TTS 547:1998;
Conformance with Water
Pollution (Amendment)
Rules 2006
Monthly discharge samples
will be analysed for TPH,
BOD, TSS, pH, Residual
Chlorine, Faecal Coliform
and Temperature to ensure
compliance with TTS
547:1998 ; Conformance
with Water Pollution
(Amendment) 2006
Page xii Toucan Field Development Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan
Impact
Impacting Activity
Summary of Mitigation Measures
Monitoring Plan
Natural Gas wells
• Installation of the
18” Pipeline
Fisherfolk and
Fishing
Activities
•
All vessels involved in the Toucan Field Development Project will be mindful of
the fishing activities along the transportation route.
•
Supply to the platform will be conducted using the present EOGRT4(a)U’s supply
vessel, as a result there will be no increase in the number of supply vessels.
Page xiii