Ensuring minimised harm to the environment with a new hydrocarbons development.
The Situation
Oiltanking MOGS Saldanha (OTMS), a joint venture between Oiltanking and MOGS, had made plans to build a new crude oil terminal in the Port of Saldanha Bay, South Africa. The terminal would be equipped to blend crude oil and be connected to an existing jetty which could handle vessels up to very large crude carrier (VLCC) size.
Approach
As part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA), Advisian completed and obtained the associated waste management licence for the construction and management of the oily water separator and two evaporation ponds, as well as the water use licence for dewatering proposed during construction of the tank farm pump station. The investigation of feasible and reasonable alternatives of the proposed activity is mandatory in order to minimise harm to the environment, in accordance with EIA Regulations (2010) and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998).
Alternatives investigated included tank layout; site location; tank design and associated infrastructure, such as pipelines and electrical overhead lines. The EIA also included an atmospheric emissions impact assessment and licensing; heritage, groundwater, biodiversity and socio-economic impact assessment, and a major hazardous installation risk assessment and rezoning of the land for the facility.
Results
Advisian successfully completed the environmental authorisation process for the construction of the crude oil storage tank farm. Following the authorisation, Advisian assisted OTMS with the update and amendment of their environmental authorisation and subsequent environmental management programme in accordance with the final designs of the facility and associated permits and licences.
