Impacts of Petroleum Exploration, Extraction and Transport

Impacts of Petroleum Exploration, Extraction and Transport Return of Coursework When marked, coursework will be available online through the module web. 7. Feedback on Coursework Feedback will be given via annotation on the script and written on the online assessment sheet. A representative selection of coursework from the group will be moderated for Quality Assurance purposes. 1 8. Student Hours The suggested time to complete this coursework is 30 hr. 9. Aim and Objectives To assess the likely environmental impacts associated with oil and gas exploration and production. 10. Learning Outcomes On completion of this item of coursework you should be able to: 1. Evaluate spheres of the environment that may be impacted and manage the interaction of project actions on key environmental receptors; 2. Apply the operating principles of EIA to critically evaluate the broad environmental and social impacts of petroleum extraction, processing and transportation; 3. Assess the link between environmental management plans (EMP) and environmental management systems (EMS) in the oil and gas industry. 11. Procedure Background Information As of January 2014, Peru in South America had 633 million barrels of proven oil reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration, and majority of these are located onshore. In Central and South America, Peru is also the third largest holder of natural gas reserves (about 15.4 trillion cubic feet as of 2014). The San Martín reservoir situated within the Amazon Rainforest (Fig. 1) has been a prolific producer of natural gas since the 1980s. Figure 1: Map of Peru showing the San Martin area, the Amazon and other river network 2 The government of Peru is planning a future project expansion in the Camisea gas field of the San Martín reservoir to extract and transport natural gas from the Urubamba River area (Fig. 2) to major markets around the Americas. The project is expected to supply natural gas to southern Peru (Fig. 1) where copper mining is a major earner. However, local communities around the Camisea field have complained over the years about the negative impacts of current projects in the Camisea field and the San Martín area in general. The preservation of natural ecosystem services that have been enjoyed by the people prior to the 1980s remain a source of concern and it is now difficult to convince the people that the planned natural gas extension project in the Camisea area will have minimal negative impact. In addition, Frankenberg et al. (2005) and Nisbet et al. (2014) have argued that the tropical region, where Peru belongs, holds unexpectedly high methane concentrations. Table 1 shows the details of the segments, facilities and equipment expected for the planned expansion project. Figure 2: Map showing the Urubamba River and the existing gas projects in the Camisea field of Peru 3 Table 1: Oil and natural gas systems likely to be installed as a result of the planned project expansion in the Camisea gas field of the San Martín reservoir, Peru. 1 Segment Production Facility Wells, central gathering facilities 2 Processing Gas plants 3 Transportation and storage Transportation pipeline networks, compressor stations, meter and pressureregulating stations, underground injection/ withdrawal facilities, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities 4 Distribution Main and service pipeline networks, meter and pressure regulating stations Source: adapted from US EPA (2013) Equipment at the facility Separators, pneumatic devices, chemical injection pumps, dehydrators, compressors, heaters, meters, pipelines, liquid storage tanks Vessels, dehydrators, compressors, acid gas removal (AGR) units, heaters, pneumatic devices Vessels, compressors, pipelines, meters/pressure regulators, pneumatic devices, dehydrators, heaters Pipelines, meters, pressure regulators, pneumatic devices, customer meters Your tasks Write a report to cover the following major tasks: 1. Tabulate and briefly explain four types of environmental impacts (namely: irreversible, synergistic, cumulative and positive impacts) that may occur on each of the following environmental receptors if this gas expansion project proceeds: a.) Biosphere (e.g. human and other living things); b.) Hydrosphere (e.g. surface and ground water systems); c.) Lithosphere (e.g. agricultural space/practices); d.) Atmosphere 2. Using the data provided in the background information above, you are required to critically analyse/evaluate the environmental impacts associated with production; processing; transportation and storage; and distribution based on Table 1 for the proposed gas expansion project in the Camisea area of Peru. The impact evaluation should be illustrated using the following EIA operating principles: (i.) Scoping; (ii.) Alternatives; (iii.) Impact analysis; (iv) Mitigation 3. Based on tasks 1 and 2 above, develop a tabulated Environmental Management Plan linked to an Environmental Management System on the post project monitoring and appraisal of the project. NB: your answers for tasks 1 to 3 must be supported with peer-reviewed evidence. 12. Marking Scheme The marking criteria for this assignment are given on the ‘Marking Sheet’ on page 5. The criteria used are based on standard University 'Criteria' for assessments. 4 13. PLAGIARISM WARNING This assessment must be all your own work. Assignments should not be copied in part or in whole from any other source, except for any marked up quotations, that clearly distinguish what has been quoted from your own work. All references used must be given, and the specific page number used should also be given for any direct quotations, which should be in quotation marks. Students found copying from the internet or other sources will get zero marks and may be excluded from the university. 5 IMPACTS OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, EXTRACTION & TRANSPORT M54GED – Coursework Report Assessment Name of Student: Date: Coursework Marking scheme: Criteria Requirements (circled comments indicate problems in these areas) Presentation, Structure and Coherence The report should be well-structured and have an appropriate introduction and conclusion. The information should be presented in a logical and coherent order. Avoid convoluted sentences but be precise and concise**. All the materials included must be relevant to the subject and repetition avoided. Max. Mark (%) 15 The report should be well-presented, have good English grammar and be spell-checked (using the UK-English spell-checker). The CU Harvard referencing system should be used for citing and listing references. All references cited in the text and sources of figures must be included in the reference list and vice versa. Content for tasks 1 and 3 The Report should answer tasks 1 and 3 directly in a suitable tabular format with appropriate evidence. 30 Use of literature An appropriate and suitably extensive selection of reference material should be consulted to justify arguments put forward throughout the report. Suitable examples and specific data from the literature should be included where appropriate. 10 Analysis, Evaluation & Discussion of Information (e.g. Task 2) Report should demonstrate an understanding as well as application of the operating principles of EIA especially for task 2. 45 The material included should be discussed, compared and contrasted, and critically evaluated throughout the report, for example, the use of data provided in the background information is highly encouraged especially for task 2. Judgement should be exercised as to the relevance and importance of the material included. Total Mark **Excessive length may be penalized (up to 10% mark deduction) PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT :)