concept EIA-rapport - Staatsolie

Environmental Impact 

Assessment for the Construction 

and Operation of a Diesel, 

Gasoline and LPG Pipeline 

Draft EIA Report 

Report Prepared for 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. 

Report Number 439414/3 

Report Prepared by 

June 2012

SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page i 

Environmental Impact Assessment for the 

Construction and Operation of a Diesel, 

Gasoline and LPG Pipeline 

Draft EIA Report 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. 

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd. 

The Administrative Building 

Albion Spring 

183 Main Rd 

Rondebosch 7700 

Cape Town 

South Africa 

e-mail: capetown@srk.co.za 

website: www.srk.co.za 

Tel: +27 (0) 21 659 3060 

Fax: +27 (0) 21 685 7105 

SRK Project Number 439414 

June 2012 

Compiled by: Peer Reviewed by: 

Sue Reuther 

Principal Environmental Consultant 

Email: sreuther@srk.co.za 

Authors: 

Sue Reuther 

Chris Dalgliesh 

Principal Environmental Consultant 

REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Final June 2012

1 INTRODUCTION 

NON‐TECHNICAL SUMMARY 

EIA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DIESEL, GASOLINE AND LPG PIPELINES: 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie) is 

currently expanding the refinery at Tout Lui Faut, about 

5 km south of Paramaribo. As part of the refinery 

expansion, Staatsolie proposes to construct three new 

pipelines to take Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from 

OGANE to the refinery and to take diesel and gasoline from 

the refinery to the SOL and Suritex depots. 

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) was appointed 

by Staatsolie as independent consultants to undertake the 

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the 

proposed pipelines, in line with the Draft Environmental 

Act of 2002 and the Environmental Assessment Guidelines 

(August 2009) issued by the Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu 

en Ontwikkeling in Suriname (NIMOS). 

2 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS 

Suriname does not have approved environmental 

legislation, although it is currently being developed and 

guidelines for environmental assessment have been 

released. The EIA process for the proposed pipeline project 

will comply with the guidelines and other relevant 

legislation. 

In addition the EIA process will be guided by international 

best practice, notably standards and guidelines of the 

World Bank Group. 

Staatsolie’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy 

and Management System have also guided the EIA . 

3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

The project includes the construction of three 

underground pipelines between the Staatsolie refinery at 

Tout Lui Faut and Suritex, via the SOL and OGANE sites: 

• One diesel and one gasoline pipeline to convey diesel 

and gasoline from the Staatsolie refinery to SOL and 

Suritex; and 

• One LPG pipeline to convey LPG from OGANE to the 

Staatsolie refinery. 

EIA REPORT 

For most of the route, the pipelines will be installed 

underneath the western bank of the Suriname River, using 

horizontal directional drilling. Continuous sections of up to 

1.64 km will be drilled. Drilling entry and/or exit points will 

be located at the surface, from where the drill operates 

and the pipelines are pulled into the drill hole (see Figure 

1). At these points, the pipelines will lie approximately 3 m 

below the surface. Between entry and exit points, the 

pipelines are expected to lie up to 30 m below the riverbed 

(see Figure 2). 

Figure 1: Figures showing HDD (top), drilling (middle) and 

insertion of pipeline into the drill hole (bottom) 

4 ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS 

An EIA is a process to identify and assess environmental 

effects of a proposed project. The EIA process has two 

main phases: the Scoping Phase and the Impact 

Assessment Phase (the current phase) (see Figure 3). 

The purpose of the EIA is to: 

• Document existing conditions in the study area and the 

socio‐economic conditions of affected communities; 

• Assess the environmental and socio‐economic impacts 

that may result from the project; 

• Inform and obtain contributions from stakeholders, 

including relevant authorities and the public, and address 

their relevant issues and concerns; 

Er is een Nederlandse versie van dit document beschikbaar. Maak aub contact met de SRK.

SRK Consulting: Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Summary Pag 

Suritex 

OGANE 

SOL 

Pipeline trenching 

portion 

Figure 2: Land‐based alignment alternative of pipelines 

Approximate alignment of 

pipeline underneath the river 

using HDD 

Staatsolie 

Refinery 

REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Summary June 2012

SRK Consulting: Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Summary Page iii 

• Identify measures to address the impacts assessed; and 

• Develop Management Plans, based in part on the 

mitigation measures developed in the EIA Report. 

SCOPING PHASE 

Study Plan 

NIMOS Review 

IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE 

Specialist Studies 

Draft EIA Report & Management Plans 

Public Consultation 

Final EIA Report & Management Plans 

Submission to NIMOS 

NIMOS Review 

Recommendations and advice 

Figure 3: Overview of the EIA process 

Public consultation is also an important part of the EIA that 

runs throughout the process. EIA and public participation 

activities undertaken are listed in Table 1. 

Table 1: EIA Activities undertaken 

Activity Timeline 

Activities undertaken by Staatsolie (Screening): 

Submission of Terms of Reference (ToR) for 

the EIA to NIMOS 

Oct – Nov 2009 

Meetings with directly affected landowners Dec 2010 and 

to discuss and obtain feedback on the 

project 

Jan 2012 

Meetings with MAS and District 

Oct 2011, Dec 

Commissioners to discuss and obtain 2011 and Jan 

feedback on the project 

2012 

Activities undertaken by SRK (Scoping and Impact Assessment): 

Preparation of Study Plan for NIMOS review Oct 2011 

NIMOS comments on Study Plan Nov 2011 

Final Study Plan for submission to NIMOS Feb 2012 

Preparation of Draft EIA Report (this 

document) and Non Technical Summary 

Mar – May 2012 

Preparation of Management Plans Apr – May 2012 

Advertisement of the process to the public Jun 2012 

Meetings with stakeholders Jun 2012 

The report will be submitted to NIMOS for their comment 

and to assist their recommendations regarding the project. 

5 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 

The area in which the pipeline corridor is located has been 

developed for over 300 years. Oil‐related activities started 

at the Staatsolie refinery site in 1988, and the refinery 

came into operation in 1997. The corridor is situated in a 

peri‐urban and industrial area. 

Project activities will be largely restricted to drill pads and 

assembly areas. The soils around most drill pads have been 

disturbed in the past and the land on which they will be 

located are not well suited for agriculture. A thick clay 

layer is located below the Suriname River for much of the 

pipeline corridor. 

The Suriname River has been altered by the construction 

of the Afobaka Dam, and river water quality is significantly 

impacted by runoff from adjacent residential and industrial 

areas. 

Three aquifers lie underneath the study area. Groundwater 

is withdrawn from the deepest aquifer. 

No sensitive ecological areas occur in the study area. A low 

marsh forest has re‐established on long‐abandoned land, 

while other vacant areas are covered by grasses and 

bushes. 

The pipeline will run through three Ressorten: Houttuin in 

Wanica District and Livorno and Beekhuizen in Paramaribo 

District. Historically, Houttuin was a rural farming area, but 

local commercial activity is increasing. Beekhuizen and 

Livorno are urban to semi urban areas. 

The northern section of the study area contains vacant 

land and a significant number of light industries, 

workshops and warehouses as well as residential areas 

along the main roads. Most companies located along the 

Suriname River have jetties for loading and unloading. 

The southern portion of the study area is characterized by 

housing developments along roads and some small 

industry and other enterprises. Most companies located 

along the river have a jetty or quay. Large tracts of vacant 

land lie next to the river, some used for cattle‐grazing. 

Thousands of commuters travel from Wanica to 

Paramaribo every day, resulting in moderate to high traffic 

intensity on Martin Luther King Road and Sir Winston 

Churchill Road. Many boats use the Suriname River and 

jetties in the study area. 

6 IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

The impacts of a pipeline are mostly linked to the 

sensitivity of the environment along the route and the 

extent (or ‘footprint’) of the pipeline and associated 

facilities. The proposed route is entirely within disturbed 

land or deep underground, and the pipeline is relatively 


SRK Consulting: Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Summary Page iv 

short. Many impacts are thus likely to be of low 

significance, including groundwater, visual, air quality, 

noise and vibration, land and river use and climate change 

impacts. 

The following potentially significant impacts were 

assessed: 

• Impacts on surface water quality in the Suriname River 

mainly during construction, notably the planned disposal 

of surplus (non‐toxic) drilling mud into the Suriname 

River and runoff of sediments or polluted water from 

construction sites. Impacts on water quality are 

expected to be insignificant with mitigation due to the 

tidal nature of the river, the expected small volume of 

pollutants and the absence of sensitive habitats in the 

area; 

• Impacts on terrestrial and aquatic habitat quality will be 

confined to the construction phase when vegetation is 

cleared for drill pads and assembly areas and land is 

filled to extend drill pads into the river. Impacts on 

habitat quality are expected to be of very low (negative) 

significance with mitigation as construction sites are 

very small and located in highly disturbed areas of no 

conservation value; 

• The project will generate only limited employment. It is 

not expected that new employment will be created by 

the pipeline construction, although existing employment 

at the contracted firms will be supported. Direct and 

indirect employment generated through the project is 

expected to be of very low (positive) significance; and 

• Construction traffic may affect road and river traffic. 

However, the impact is considered to be very low with 

mitigation as additional (local) road traffic due to the 

pipeline construction is expected to be minimal, and 

river‐based activities will only be impacted locally for a 

short period of time. 

The EIA also considered the impacts of possible non‐ 

routine events, or “risks”, such as the accidental release of 

drilling mud during construction and the accidental release 

of fuels due to pipeline rupture or leakage. The significance 

of these impacts, should an incident take place, was 

deemed to be very low after mitigation. 

Two management plans were developed by SRK as part of 

the EIA process, to ensure that proposed mitigation 

measures are implemented throughout the project: 

• An Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan; 

• A Conceptual Decommissioning Plan. 

7 CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD 

The EIA Report has identified and assessed the potential 

impacts associated with the proposed installation of 

pipelines between the Staatsolie refinery at Tout Lui Faut 

and the SOL and Suritex depots. 

By using HDD to install the pipelines, most impacts of the 

project will be minimised and of very low or no significance 

following the implementation of standard mitigation 

measures. 

Staatsolie is committed to ensuring that the pipelines are 

operated to high standards through implementation of the 

recommended mitigation measures and ongoing 

monitoring of performance. Based on this commitment, 

SRK firmly believes and the EIA demonstrates that the 

negative impacts and risks can be reduced to levels 

compliant with international standards or guidelines. 

Ultimately NIMOS will consider whether the project 

benefits outweigh the potential impacts. The essential 

benefit of the project is that pipelines are a proven and 

safe method of conveying LPG to the refinery and refinery 

products to distributors. 

The EIA Report is now available for public comments, and 

we invite stakeholders to review the report and to 

participate in the stakeholder engagement process. 

Electronic copies of the EIA Report and Summary are 

available on the websites of: 

• SRK: www.srk.co.za (via the ‘Recent Publications’ and 

‘Public Documents’ links); and 

• Staatsolie: www.staatsolie.com. 

A public consultation meeting will be held to present and 

discuss the findings of the EIA with key stakeholders and 

members of the public: 

Venue: Staatsolie Refinery Training Facility 

Date: 23 June 2012 

Time: 17h30 – 19h30 

Comments or questions can be submitted to Sue Reuther 

at SRK Consulting, in Dutch or English, by 19 June 2012 at: 

Attention of: Sue Reuther 

Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701, 

South Africa 

Tel: + 27 21 659 3060; Fax: +27 21 685 7105 

E‐mail: sreuther@srk.co.za 

Once stakeholders have commented on the information 

presented in the EIA Report, the Final EIA Report will be 

prepared and submitted to NIMOS for consideration. 

NIMOS will evaluate the environmental and social 

sustainability of the proposed project and advise Staatsolie 

of their decision. 


1 INLEIDING 

NIET‐TECHNISCHE SAMENVATTING: 

EIA (milieu‐effectenanalyse) t.b.v. het aanleggen van DIESEL‐, BENZINE‐ EN 

LPGPIJPLEIDINGEN – EIA‐RAPPORT 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie) is 

momenteel bezig met de uitbreiding van haar raffinaderij 

te Tout Lui Faut, welke ligt op een afstand van ongeveer 

5 km ten zuiden van Paramaribo. Als onderdeel van de 

raffinaderij‐uitbreiding stelt Staatsolie voor om drie 

nieuwe pijpleidingen aan te leggen om LPG ofwel vloeibaar 

gas over te brengen van OGANE naar de raffinaderij en om 

diesel en benzine te vervoeren van de raffinaderij naar de 

SOL en Suritex. 

SRK Consulting (South‐Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) werd door 

Staatsolie aangewezen als onafhankelijke consultant om 

een Environmental Impact Assessment (ofwel Milieu‐ 

effectenanalyse – EIA) te verrichten m.b.t. de 

voorgestelde pijpleidingen en wel overeenkomstig de 

Concept‐Milieuwet 2002 en de Richtlijnen inzake Milieu‐ 

analyses (augustus 2009) uitgevaardigd door het Nationaal 

Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkeling in Suriname 

(NIMOS). 

2 JURIDISCHE VEREISTEN 

Momenteel kent Suriname geen goedgekeurde wetgeving 

hoewel men momenteel bezig is met het ontwikkelen 

hiervan. Voorts zijn er richtlijnen inzake milieu‐analyses 

gepubliceerd. Tijdens het EIA‐proces voor het voorgestelde 

pijpleidingproject zullen de richtlijnen en andere relevante 

wetgeving worden nageleefd. 

Voorts zal het EIA‐proces worden geleid door 

internationale ‘best practices’, in het bijzonder 

standaarden en richtlijnen van de World Bank Group. 

Het beleid inzake Gezondheid, Veiligheid en Milieu (Health, 

Safety and Environment Policy ‐ HSE) en het 

Managementsysteem van Staatsolie hebben ook als 

richtlijn gediend voor de EIA. 

3 PROJECTBESCHRIJVING 

Het project omvat de aanleg van drie ondergrondse 

pijpleidingen tussen de Staatsolie‐raffinaderij te Tout Lui 

Faut en Suritex, via de SOL en OGANE‐locaties: 

• Een diesel en een benzinepijpleiding om diesel en 

benzine te vervoeren van de Staatsolie‐raffinaderij naar 

SOL en Suritex; en 

• Een LPG‐pijpleiding om LPG van OGANE naar de 

Staatsolie‐raffinaderij over te brengen. 

Voor wat betreft het grootste deel van de route, zullen de 

pijpleidingen worden geïnstalleerd onder de westelijke 

oever van de Surinamerivier, met gebruikmaking van 

horizontaal‐gerichte boorwerkzaamheden (HDD). Er zullen 

boorwerkzaamheden worden verricht op ononderbroken 

delen van maximaal 1,64 km. De inlaat en/of uitlaatpunten 

van de betreffende boorwerkzaamheden zullen zich op de 

oppervlakte bevinden van waaruit de boor zal opereren 

en de pijpleidingen worden getrokken in het boorgat (zie 

Afbeelding 1). Bij deze punten zullen de pijpleidingen 

ongeveer 3m onder de oppervlakte komen te liggen. 

Tussen de inlaat‐ en uitlaatpunten zullen de pijpleidingen 

naar verwachting maximaal 30m onder de rivierbedding 

komen te liggen (zie Afbeelding 2). 

Afbeelding 1: afbeeldingen van de HDD (bovenaan), de 

boorwerkzaamheden (midden) en het invoegen van de 

pijpleiding in het boorgat (onderaan) 

4 MILIEUPROCES 

Een EIA is een proces om de milieueffecten van een 

voorgesteld project te identificeren en te analyseren. Het 

EIA‐proces omvat twee hoofdfasen: De Scopingsfase 

(ofwel afbakeningsfase) en de Effectenanalysefase (de 

huidige fase) (zie Afbeelding 3). 

Het doel van de EIA is: 

• de bestaande condities in het studiegebied alsook de 

sociaal‐economische condities van de gemeenschappen 

die door het project beïnvloed zullen worden, vast te 

leggen; 

An English version of this document is available. Please contact SRK.

SRK Consulting: EIA Staatsolie Pijpleiding – Samenvatting concept EIA-rapport Pag 

Suritex 

OGANE 

SOL 

Uitgraving 

pijpleiding 

Afbeelding 2: Alternatief van op het land‐gebaseerde alignement van de pijpleidingen 

Bij benadering aangegeven 

alignement van de pijpleiding onder 

de rivier met gebruikmaking van 

HDD 


Refinery 

REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Summary_Dutch June 2012

SRK Consulting: EIA Staatsolie Pijpleiding – Samenvatting concept EIA-rapport Pagina iii 

• de milieu en sociaal‐economische effecten die kunnen 

voortvloeien uit het project te analyseren; 

• stakeholders, waaronder relevante autoriteiten en het 

publiek te informeren en hun bijdrage te verkrijgen, 

alsook hun belangrijke vraagstukken en zorgpunten aan 

te pakken; 

• Het identificeren van maatregelen om de geanalyseerde 

effecten aan te pakken; en 

• Het ontwikkelen van Managementplannen deels 

gebaseerd op de mitigeringsmaatregelen ontwikkeld in 

het EIA‐rapport. 

SCOPINGSFASE 

Studieplan 

Bestudering NIMOS 

FASE VAN EFFECTENANALYSE 

Specialistische studies 

Concept EIA-Rapport en managementplannen 

Overleg met het publiek 

Eind EIA-Rapport en managementplannen 

Indiening bij het NIMOS 

Beoordeling NIMOS 

Aanbevelingen en advies 

Afbeelding 3: Overzicht van het EIA‐proces 

Het overleg met het Publiek vormt ook een belangrijk 

onderdeel van de EIA dat tijdens het heel proces 

plaatsvindt. De activiteiten ondernomen ten behoeve van 

de EIA en de participatie van het publiek zijn opgenomen 

in Tabel 1. 

Tabel 1: De EIA‐activiteiten die zijn verricht 

Activiteit Tijdlijn 

Activiteiten ondernomen door Staatsolie (Screening): 

Indiening Terms of Reference (ToR) voor de 

EIA bij het NIMOS 

Bijeenkomst met landeigenaren die direct 

beïnvloed zullen worden om het project met 

hen te bespreken en feedback van hen te 

krijgen in dezen 

Bijeenkomsten met de MAS en de 

Districtscommissarissen om het project met 

hen te bespreken en feedback van hen te 

krijgen in dezen 

okt‐nov 2009 

dec 2010 en 

jan 2012 

okt 2011, dec 

2011 en jan 

2012 

Activiteiten ondernomen door SRK (Scoping / Effectenanalyse): 

Opstellen Studieplan ter beoordeling door het 

NIMOS 

Het rapport zal bij het NIMOS worden ingediend ter 

becommentariëring en om hun de gelegenheid te geven 

aanbevelingen naar voren te brengen. 

5 DE OMGEVING DIE DOOR HET PROJECT 

BEINVLOED ZAL WORDEN 

okt 2011 

Commentaar NIMOS inzake het Studieplan nov 2011 

Eind‐studieplan voor indiening bij het NIMOS feb 2012 

Opstellen concept‐EIA rapport (dit document) 

en een Niet‐technische Samenvatting 

mrt‐mei 2012 

Opstellen Managementplannen apr‐mei 2012 

Aankondiging van het proces aan het publiek juni 2012 

Bijeenkomsten met stakeholders juni 2012 

Het gebied waarin de corridor van de pijpleiding zich 

bevindt, wordt al langer dan 300 jaar ontwikkeld. De olie‐ 

gerelateerde activiteiten gingen in 1988 op de locatie van 

de Staatsolie‐raffinaderij van start en de raffinaderij werd 

in 1997 in gebruik gesteld. De corridor bevindt zich in een 

voorstedelijk en industrieel gebied. 

De projectwerkzaamheden zullen voornamelijk beperkt 

zijn tot boorvlakken (zogenoemde ‘drill pads’) en 

assemblagegebieden. De bodems rondom de meeste 

boorvlakken zijn in het verleden verstoord en de grond 

waarop deze zullen worden geplaatst, is niet erg geschikt 

voor de landbouw. Over een groot deel van de 

pijpleidingcorridor ligt er een dikke kleilaag onder de 

Surinamerivier. 

De Surinamerivier is veranderd door de bouw van de 

Afobakadam en de kwaliteit van het rivierwater is 

aanzienlijk aangetast door uitstroom van nabijgelegen 

woonwijken en industriegebieden. 

Er liggen drie aquifers (ofwel waterhoudende grondlagen) 

onder het studiegebied. Er wordt grondwater onttrokken 

van de diepst gelegen aquifer. 

Er komen geen ecologisch‐gevoelige gebieden voor in het 

studiegebied. Laag‐zwampbos heeft zich hersteld op land 

dat reeds lang verlaten is, terwijl andere braakliggende 

gebieden bedekt zijn met gras en struiken. 

De pijpleiding zal gaan door drie Ressorten: Houttuin in het 

district Wanica, en Livorno en Beekhuizen in het district 

Paramaribo. Van oudsher was Houttuin een ruraal 

landbouwgebied, maar momenteel is er steeds meer locale 

commerciële bedrijvigheid. Beekhuizen en Livorno zijn 

stedelijke tot semi‐stedelijke gebieden. 

Het noordelijke deel van het studiegebied omvat 

braakliggend land en een significant aantal lichte 


SRK Consulting: EIA Staatsolie Pijpleiding – Samenvatting concept EIA-rapport Pagina iv 

industrieën, werkplaatsen en magazijnen alsook 

woonwijken langs de hoofdwegen. De meeste bedrijven 

langs de Surinamerivier beschikken over aanlegsteigers 

voor inlaad‐ en uitlaadwerkzaamheden. 

Het zuidelijke deel van het studiegebied wordt gekenmerkt 

door woonwijken langs de wegen en enkele kleine 

industrieën en andere ondernemingen. De meeste 

bedrijven die langs de rivier liggen, beschikken over een 

aanlegsteiger of kade. Er liggen uitgestrekte gebieden 

braakliggend land langs de rivier waarvan sommige 

worden gebruikt als weide t.b.v. vee. 

Duizenden forensen reizen elke dag van Wanica naar 

Paramaribo waardoor er matige tot hoge verkeersdrukte 

ontstaat op de Martin Luther Kingweg en de Sir Winston 

Churchillweg. Veel boten maken gebruik van de 

Surinamerivier en aanlegsteigers in het studiegebied. 

6 EFFECTENANALYSE 

De effecten van een pijpleiding zijn meestal gekoppeld aan 

de gevoeligheid van het milieu langs de route en de 

omvang (ofwel ‘voetafdruk’ of bedekkingsgebied) van de 

pijpleiding en de daaraan gerelateerde faciliteiten. De 

voorgestelde route bevindt zich volledig binnen verstoord 

land of diep onder de grond en de pijpleiding is relatief 

kort. Veel effecten zullen waarschijnlijk van lage 

significantie zijn, waaronder de effecten op het 

grondwater, de visuele effecten, de effecten op de 

waterkwaliteit, het geluid en de trillingen, land‐ en 

riviergebruik en de gevolgen van de 

klimaatsveranderingen. 

De volgende potentiële significante effecten werden 

geanalyseerd: 

• Effecten op de kwaliteit van het oppervlaktewater in 

de Surinamerivier voornamelijk tijdens de 

constructiefase, met name de geplande afvoer van 

overtollig (niet‐giftige) boorsuspensie in de 

Surinamerivier en uitstroom van sedimenten of 

verontreinigd water afkomstig van de 

constructielocaties. De effecten op de kwaliteit van het 

water zullen naar verwachting met mitigatie niet 

significant zijn aangezien het in dezen gaat om een 

getijderivier, voorts vanwege de verwachte kleine 

hoeveelheid verontreinigende stoffen en omdat er geen 

gevoelige habitats (ofwel natuurlijke leef‐ en 

woongebieden) in het gebied voorkomen; 

• Effecten op de kwaliteit van terrestrische (ofwel op het 

land voorkomende) en aquatische (ofwel in het water 

voorkomende) habitats zullen beperkt blijven tot de 

constructiefase wanneer er sprake is van het 

verwijderen van vegetatie t.b.v. de boorvlakken en 

assemblagegebieden, en de grond wordt opgevuld om 

de boorvlakken door te trekken tot in de rivier. De 

effecten op de kwaliteit van de habitat zullen met 

mitigatie naar verwachting van erg lage (negatieve) 

significantie zijn, aangezien de constructielocaties erg 

klein zijn en zich bevinden in uitermate verstoorde 

gebieden zonder ecologische waarde; 

• Het project zal slechts beperkte werkgelegenheid 

creëren. Naar verwachting zullen er geen nieuwe 

arbeidsplaatsen worden gecreëerd door de aanleg van 

de pijpleiding; deze werkzaamheden zullen wel 

bevorderlijk zijn voor de huidige werkgelegenheid bij de 

gecontracteerde bedrijven. Naar verwachting zal de 

directe en indirecte werkgelegenheid gecreëerd door dit 

project van erg lage (positieve) significantie zijn; en 

• Het verkeer t.b.v. de constructiewerkzaamheden zou 

van invloed kunnen zijn op het weg‐ en rivierverkeer. 

Dit effect wordt met mitigatie echter beschouwd als 

niet significant aangezien het extra (locale) verkeer 

t.b.v. de werkzaamheden voor de aanleg van de 

pijpleiding naar verwachting minimaal zal zijn en niet 

verwacht wordt dat de werkzaamheden op de rivier met 

betrekking tot het pijpleidingproject van invloed zullen 

zijn op het rivierverkeer in het studiegebied. 

De EIA heeft eveneens in overweging genomen de effecten 

van mogelijke niet‐routinematige gebeurtenissen, ofwel 

“risico’s”, zoals accidentele uitstroming van boorsuspensie 

tijdens de constructiewerkzaamheden en accidentele 

uitstroming van brandstoffen als gevolg van een breuk of 

lekkage in de pijpleiding. De significantie van deze 

effecten, indien zich een incident zou voordoen, werd 

beschouwd als zijnde erg laag na mitigatie. 

SRK heeft twee managementplannen opgesteld als 

onderdeel van het EIA‐proces om te garanderen dat de 

voorgestelde mitigeringsmaatregelen tijdens het hele 

project worden uitgevoerd: 

• Een Plan voor Milieumanagement en ‐Monitoring; 

• Een concept‐Ontmantelingsplan. 

7 CONCLUSIE EN DE VOLGENDE STAPPEN 

Het EIA‐rapport heeft de potentiële effecten die gepaard 

gaan met de installatie van pijpleidingen tussen de 

Staatsolieraffinaderij te Tout Lui Faut, en de SOL‐ en 

Suritexdepots geïdentificeerd en geanalyseerd. 

Middels gebruikmaking van de HDD om de pijpleidingen te 

installeren, zullen de meeste effecten van het project 

worden geminimaliseerd en na de uitvoering van 

standaard‐mitigeringsmaatregelen van lage significantie 

zijn of niet significant. 

Staatsolie heeft zich gecommitteerd om ervoor te zorgen 

dat de pijpleidingen volgens hoge standaarden zullen 

functioneren middels de implementatie van de aanbevolen 


SRK Consulting: EIA Staatsolie Pijpleiding – Samenvatting concept EIA-rapport Pagina v 

mitigeringsmaatregelen en voortgaande monitoring van 

het prestatievermogen. Op basis van deze committering 

heeft het SRK de vaste overtuiging en de EIA wijst uit, dat 

de negatieve effecten en de risico’s kunnen worden 

gereduceerd tot niveaus welke voldoen aan internationale 

standaarden of richtlijnen. 

Uiteindelijk zal het NIMOS in overweging nemen of de 

voordelen van het project zwaarder wegen dan de 

mogelijke negatieve effecten. Het essentiële voordeel van 

het project is dat pijpleidingen een bewezen en veilige 

methode zijn om LPG naar de raffinaderij, en 

raffinaderijproducten naar de distributeurs over te 

brengen. 

Het EIA‐rapport is thans beschikbaar voor het publiek voor 

becommentariëring en wij nodigen stakeholders uit om 

het rapport door te nemen en te participeren in het proces 

voor betrokkenheid van stakeholders. Er zijn elektronische 

versies van het EIA‐Rapport en de Samenvatting hiervan 

beschikbaar op de websites van: 

• SRK: www.srk.co.za (via de links ‘Recent Publications’ en 

‘Public Documents’ ); en 

• Staatsolie: www.staatsolie.com. 

Er zal een bijeenkomst voor overleg met het publiek 

worden gehouden om de bevindingen van de EIA aan de 

voornaamste stakeholders en leden van het publiek te 

presenteren en deze met hen te bediscussiëren: 

Plaats: Staatsolie Tout Lui Faut Trainingszaal 

Datum: 23 juni 2012 

Tijd: 17.30u – 9.30u 

Commentaar of vragen kunnen of in het Nederlands of in 

het Engels worden opgestuurd naar Sue Reuther bij SRK 

Consulting, uiterlijk 19 juli 2012 en wel: 


Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701, 

South Africa 

Tel: + 27 21 659 3060; Fax: +27 21 685 7105 

E‐mail: sreuther@srk.co.za 

Wanneer eenmaal de stakeholders hun commentaar op de 

informatie zoals die gepresenteerd is in het EIA‐rapport, 

naar voren hebben gebracht, zal het Eind‐EIA rapport 

worden opgesteld en worden ingediend bij het NIMOS ter 

overweging. Het NIMOS zal de milieu‐ en sociaal‐ 

maatschappelijke duurzaamheid van het voorgestelde 

project evalueren en de Staatsolie op de hoogte stellen 

van hun besluit in dezen. 


SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page ii 

Table of Contents 

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 

1.1 Background of the project ................................................................................................................... 1 

1.2 Purpose of this Document ................................................................................................................... 1 

1.3 Assumptions and limitations ............................................................................................................... 1 

1.4 Structure of the report ......................................................................................................................... 2 

2 Regulatory and policy framework and EIA process .................................................. 3 

2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 

2.2 Suriname legal requirements .............................................................................................................. 3 

2.2.1 Legal requirements regarding Environmental Assessment .................................................... 3 

2.2.2 Other environmental legal requirements ................................................................................. 4 

2.3 International standards, requirements, guidelines .............................................................................. 7 

2.4 Corporate requirements ...................................................................................................................... 8 

2.5 EIA Process ........................................................................................................................................ 8 

3 Description of the proposed project ......................................................................... 11 

3.1 Project motivation: need and desirability .......................................................................................... 11 

3.2 Overview of project area ................................................................................................................... 11 

3.3 Description of the proposed project .................................................................................................. 13 

3.3.1 General description ............................................................................................................... 13 

3.3.2 Pipeline alignment ................................................................................................................. 13 

3.3.3 Construction .......................................................................................................................... 15 

3.3.4 Operation ............................................................................................................................... 18 

3.4 Project alternatives............................................................................................................................ 19 

3.4.1 Route alternatives ................................................................................................................. 20 

3.4.2 Construction method alternatives .......................................................................................... 20 

3.4.3 Transportation alternatives .................................................................................................... 21 

4 Description of the affected environment .................................................................. 22 

4.1 Biophysical environment ................................................................................................................... 22 

4.1.1 Climate and air quality ........................................................................................................... 22 

4.1.2 Geology and geomorphology ................................................................................................ 24 

4.1.3 Soils, land capability and land use ........................................................................................ 29 

4.1.4 Noise ..................................................................................................................................... 33 

4.1.5 Water resources .................................................................................................................... 33 

4.1.6 Ecology .................................................................................................................................. 37 

4.2 Socio-economic environment ............................................................................................................ 39 

4.2.1 Overview of Ressorten in the study area .............................................................................. 39 

4.2.2 Socio-economic characteristics ............................................................................................. 40 

4.2.3 Transport infrastructure ......................................................................................................... 44 


SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page iii 

4.3 Planning framework and emergency response ................................................................................ 48 

4.3.1 Policies and plans at district and Ressort level ..................................................................... 48 

4.3.2 Oil spill response ................................................................................................................... 49 

5 Stakeholder engagement ........................................................................................... 50 

5.1 Objectives and approach .................................................................................................................. 50 

5.2 Previous stakeholder engagement activities .................................................................................... 50 

5.3 Impact Assessment Phase stakeholder engagement activities ........................................................ 50 

6 Assessment of environmental impacts .................................................................... 52 

6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 52 

6.1.1 Environmental issues identified for the project...................................................................... 53 

6.1.2 Specialist input ...................................................................................................................... 54 

6.1.3 Impact assessment and methodology ................................................................................... 56 

6.1.4 Integration of Studies into the EIA Report, and Review ........................................................ 58 

6.2 Less significant (or minor) impacts ................................................................................................... 59 

6.2.1 Groundwater impacts ............................................................................................................ 59 

6.2.2 Visual impacts ....................................................................................................................... 60 

6.2.3 Air quality impacts ................................................................................................................. 61 

6.2.4 Noise and vibration impacts .................................................................................................. 62 

6.2.5 Land and river use impacts ................................................................................................... 63 

6.2.6 Climate change impacts ........................................................................................................ 63 

6.3 Potential impact: Surface water pollution due to construction activities ........................................... 64 

6.4 Potential impact: Loss or deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic habitat during construction .......... 66 

6.5 Potential impact: Employment creation............................................................................................. 67 

6.6 Potential impact: Disruptions to road and river traffic ....................................................................... 68 

6.7 Potential risks .................................................................................................................................... 69 

6.7.1 Risk: Accidental release of drilling mud during construction (frac-out) ................................. 69 

6.7.2 Risk: Accidental release of hydrocarbons due to pipeline rupture or leakage ...................... 70 

6.8 Cumulative impacts ........................................................................................................................... 74 

6.8.1 Cumulative impacts of existing activities ............................................................................... 74 

6.8.2 Potential cumulative impacts of future activities.................................................................... 74 

6.9 Management Plans ........................................................................................................................... 75 

6.9.1 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan ................................................................ 75 

6.9.2 Conceptual Decommissioning Plan ...................................................................................... 86 

7 Conclusions and recommendations ......................................................................... 90 

7.1 Principal findings ............................................................................................................................... 90 

7.2 Key recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 92 

8 Way forward ................................................................................................................ 93 

9 References .................................................................................................................. 95 


SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page iv 

List of Tables 

Table 2-1: Selected relevant national environmental legislation ........................................................................ 5 

Table 2-2: IFC Performance Standards .............................................................................................................. 7 

Table 2-3: Activities undertaken during the Staatsolie Pipeline EIA ................................................................ 10 

Table 3-1: Proposed pipelines from Staatsolie Refinery .................................................................................. 13 

Table 3-2: Specifications of pipeline products .................................................................................................. 19 

Table 3-3: Comparison of pipelines versus alternative means of transport ..................................................... 21 

Table 4-1: Mean monthly rainfall for Zanderij in 2006 and 2007 ...................................................................... 23 

Table 4-2: Temperatures for Zanderij in 2006 and 2007 .................................................................................. 23 

Table 4-3: Calculated emission rates for the existing refinery and the SPCS power plant .............................. 24 

Table 4-4: Characteristics of soils in the study area ......................................................................................... 30 

Table 4-5: Suitability classification of the soils of the study area ..................................................................... 30 

Table 4-6: Ambient noise levels around the refinery (in early 2009) and IFC guideline levels ........................ 33 

Table 4-7: Physico-chemical characteristics of rivers in the Young Coastal Plain ........................................... 34 

Table 4-8: Water quality problems identified in the study area ........................................................................ 36 

Table 4-9: SRDP results of aquatic sampling in the Suriname River ............................................................... 38 

Table 4-10: Estimated 2010 populations .......................................................................................................... 40 

Table 4-11: Households and dwellings ............................................................................................................. 41 

Table 4-12: Education levels ............................................................................................................................ 41 

Table 4-13: School infrastructure ..................................................................................................................... 42 

Table 4-14: Employment characteristics .......................................................................................................... 42 

Table 4-15: Access to water and electricity ...................................................................................................... 43 

Table 4-16: Health care facilities ...................................................................................................................... 43 

Table 4-17: Community Based Organisations .................................................................................................. 43 

Table 4-18: Projects planned by the District Council of Paramaribo for 2012 .................................................. 48 

Table 6-1: Proposed EIA specialist studies and relevant specialists ............................................................... 55 

Table 6-2: Criteria used to determine the Consequence of the Impact ............................................................ 56 

Table 6-3: Method used to determine the Consequence Score ....................................................................... 56 

Table 6-4: Probability Classification ................................................................................................................. 56 

Table 6-5: Impact significance ratings .............................................................................................................. 57 

Table 6-6: Impact status and confidence classification .................................................................................... 57 

Table 6-7: Significance of surface water pollution – Construction.................................................................... 65 

Table 6-8: Significance of loss or deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic habitat – Construction .................... 66 

Table 6-9: Significance of employment creation – Construction ...................................................................... 67 

Table 6-10: Significance of disruptions to road and river traffic – Construction ............................................... 69 

Table 6-11: Significance of frac-out, should this occur ..................................................................................... 70 

Table 6-12: Potential impacts from pipeline leaks in various environments ..................................................... 72 

Table 6-13: Significance of accidental release of hydrocarbons from the pipeline – Operation ...................... 73 

Table 6-14: Project-specific management and mitigation measures that must be implemented during the 

design phase .............................................................................................................................. 77 


SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page v 

Table 6-15: Project-specific management and mitigation measures that must be implemented during the 

construction phase ..................................................................................................................... 78 

Table 6-16: Project-specific management and mitigation measures that must be implemented during 

operations .................................................................................................................................. 84 

Table 6-17: Measures recommended for decommissioning ............................................................................ 87 

Table 7-1: Summary of potential impacts resulting from the Refinery Expansion Project ............................... 91 

List of Figures 

Figure 2-1: Overview of the EIA process .......................................................................................................... 10 

Figure 3-1: Proposed alignment of pipelines .................................................................................................... 12 

Figure 3-2: River alignment alternative of the proposed pipelines ................................................................... 14 

Figure 3-3: Schematic drawing of drilling operation at entry points ................................................................. 16 

Figure 3-4: Proposed cross-section of pipeline bundle .................................................................................... 17 

Figure 3-5: Schematic drawing of pipeline at entry / exit points ....................................................................... 18 

Figure 4-1: The study area (dark grey) and its surroundings ........................................................................... 22 

Figure 4-2: Geological cross section through northern Suriname .................................................................... 25 

Figure 4-3: Geology of the study area and surroundings ................................................................................. 26 

Figure 4-4: Suriname River clay bottom sediment taken nearshore at the Staatsolie refinery ........................ 27 

Figure 4-5: Four major physiographic regions of Northern Suriname .............................................................. 28 

Figure 4-6: Soil map of the study area ............................................................................................................. 29 

Figure 4-7: Historical plantations in the area .................................................................................................... 31 

Figure 4-8: Land use and vegetation of the study area .................................................................................... 32 

Figure 4-9: Drainage areas in the study area ................................................................................................... 35 

Figure 4-10: Hydrogeological section Zanderij-Paramaribo ............................................................................. 37 

Figure 4-11: Districts Wanica (left) and Paramaribo (right) and their Ressorten ............................................. 39 

Figure 4-12: Traffic count at the bridge over the Saramacca Canal in 2007.................................................... 44 

Figure 4-13: Location of various socio-economic facilities and institutions in the study area .......................... 45 

Figure 4-14: Jetties between the Tout Lui Faut and Saramacca canals .......................................................... 47 

Disclaimer 

The opinions expressed in this Report have been based on the information supplied to SRK Consulting 

(South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) by Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie). SRK has exercised all 

due care in reviewing the supplied information. SRK does not accept responsibility for any errors or 

omissions in the supplied information and does not accept any consequential liability arising from commercial 

decisions or actions resulting from them. Opinions presented in this report apply to the site conditions and 

features as they existed at the time of SRK’s investigations, and those reasonably foreseeable. These 

opinions do not necessarily apply to conditions and features that may arise after the date of this Report, 

about which SRK had no prior knowledge nor had the opportunity to evaluate 

Cover image courtesy Australian Pipeline Industry Association (2009). 


SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page vi 

List of Abbreviations 

ABS Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek (General Bureau of Statistics) 

ATM Ministerie van Arbeid, Technologische Ontwikkeling en Milieu 

(Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment) 

bbl barrel 

CBO Community Based Organization 

DC District Council 

DLGP Decentralization and Local Government Strengthening Program 

EA Environmental Assessment 

EBS N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname (Suriname Energy Company) 

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment 

EMMP Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan 

ESA Environmental Site Assessment 

HDD Horizontal Directional Drilling 

HSE Health, Safety and Environment 

IFC International Finance Corporation 

IAP Interested and Affected Party 

MAS Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname (Maritime Authority Suriname) 

NCCR National Contingency (disaster) Coordination Centre 

NIMOS Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkeling in Suriname 

(National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname) 

OPRC Oil Pollution Response and Cooperation 

PS Performance Standard 

QRA Quantitative Risk Assessment 

RC Ressort Council 

RHC Regional Health Service 

SRK SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd 

SWM Surinaamsche Waterleiding Maatschappij (Suriname Water Company) 

WSD Water Supply Division 


SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report Page 1 

1 Introduction 

1.1 Background of the project 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie) was founded more than 30 years ago on 

13 December 1980. The Republic of Suriname is the sole shareholder. The company explores, 

produces and refines crude oil. By the end of 2011, more than 1400 oil wells were in production and 

annual crude production totalled some 5.9 million barrels (bbl) (some 16 000 bbl per day). 

Staatsolie’s oil refinery is located at Tout Lui Faut, about 7 km south of Paramaribo in the Wanica 

District of Suriname. The refinery site is situated between the Suriname River and Sir Winston 

Churchill Road. Staatsolie is currently in the process of expanding the refinery to increase 

processing capacity. As part of the refinery expansion, Staatsolie proposes to construct three new 

pipelines to convey Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from OGANE to the refinery and to take diesel 

and gasoline from the refinery to the SOL and Suritex 1 product storage depots. 

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) has been appointed by Staatsolie as independent 

consultants to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed 

pipelines as required by the Draft Environmental Act of 2002 and the Environmental Assessment 

Guidelines (August 2009) issued by the National Institute for Environment and Development in 

Suriname (Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkeling in Suriname - NIMOS). 

1.2 Purpose of this Document 

The main purposes of this Draft EIA Report are to: 

• Describe the proposed project and viable project alternatives; 

• Inform stakeholders about the findings of specialist studies and input; 

• Identify and assess significant impacts associated with the proposed project; 

• Report on proposed mitigation measures to minimise impacts and enhance benefits; 

• Provide an overview of (environmental) management plans to be implemented during the 

construction, operation and closure phases of the proposed project; and 

• Elicit comments from stakeholders that will inform the Final EIA Report. 

The guiding principles adopted and activities undertaken to ensure that the goals of the EIA Report 

were met are discussed in the following section. 

1.3 Assumptions and limitations 

As is standard practice, the Draft EIA Report is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to 

certain limitations, which should be borne in mind when considering information presented in this 

report. SRK is confident that these assumptions and limitations do not compromise the integrity of 

the EIA Report. Relevant limitations and assumptions are listed below. Limitations and assumptions 

that apply specific aspects are also listed in the relevant sections. 

• Staatsolie engaged key stakeholders prior to the compilation of the Study Plan. Comments and 

concerns of stakeholders were incorporated into the Study Plan; 

1 Staatsolie has acquired the Chevron Corporation in Suriname and, as of 1 September 2011, manages its 20 service 

stations, four fuel bunker stations and the depot under the “Suritex” brand. As such, the depot will be referred to as the 

‘Suritex depot’ in this report. 



• The Scoping Phase of the EIA process included compilation of the Study Plan, which was 

submitted to NIMOS. The Study Plan was not released for public comment, although it is 

available (electronically) upon request; 

• The Draft EIA Report (this document) will be released for public comment. In total there will have 

been two rounds of public consultation, one managed by Staatsolie and the other by SRK; 

• It is assumed that specialists were able to obtain sufficient environmental data to draft a 

defensible baseline description of the existing environment, noting that the affected environment 

has been the subject of previous studies and has been considerably altered by human activities; 

• Two pipeline alignment alternatives were initially considered: a terrestrial alignment and an 

alignment underneath the Suriname River. As described in the Study Plan, the terrestrial 

alignment is no longer considered viable and will not be assessed in the EIA. It is assumed that 

no major realignment within the river alignment will be required; and 

• SRK will make every effort to conform to the principles espoused in international best practice 

guidelines and standards, within the constraints of this project. 

1.4 Structure of the report 

The structure of the report is as follows: 

Chapter 1: Introduction 

Provides an introduction and background to the proposed project and outlines the purpose of this 

document, the EIA process and the assumptions and limitation applicable to the study. 

Chapter 2: Regulatory and policy framework and EIA process 

Provides a brief summary and interpretation of the national legislation and guidelines, international 

standards and corporate (Staatsolie’s) requirements relevant to this study, and outlines the EIA 

process. 

Chapter 3: Description of the proposed project 

Provides a brief description of the pipeline route and the proposed project. 

Chapter 4: Description of the affected environment 

Provides a description of the biophysical and social conditions in the study area. 

Chapter 5: Stakeholder engagement 

Provides an overview of the stakeholder engagement that has been conducted to date and is 

proposed for the impact assessment phase. 

Chapter 6: Assessment of environmental impacts 

Provides a description of the potentially insignificant impacts and an assessment of potentially 

significant impacts of the project, as well as recommended mitigation measures, and provides the 

introduction to the Management Plans. 

Chapter 7: Conclusions and recommendations 

Provides the key findings and conclusions of the report. 

Chapter 8: Way forward 

Concludes the document with an outline of the remaining steps in the EIA process. 



2 Regulatory and policy framework and EIA process 

2.1 Introduction 

Suriname is governed in terms of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of Suriname. A supervisory 

body – The Council of State – has the power to veto legislation which it deems to be in violation of 

the Constitution. The Suriname legal system is a civil law system, reflecting the country’s Dutch 

heritage, although local issues are mainly resolved based on traditional custom. The quality of policy 

formulation and administration is uneven. 

Suriname does not have an approved national environmental policy and there is no legislation 

dealing specifically with environmental management. However, environmental legislation is currently 

being developed and guidelines for environmental assessment have been released. The EIA 

process for the proposed pipeline project will comply with the guidelines and other relevant existing 

legislation. 

In addition to national regulatory requirements of Suriname, the EIA process will be guided by 

international best practice, notably standards and guidelines such as those prescribed by the World 

Bank Group for Bank-funded private sector development projects 2 . The World Bank Group 

standards and guidelines include environmental and social guidelines and standards that relate to 

the implementation and scope of the EIA process. Where applicable, the application of the standards 

and guidelines will be modified to reflect the scale of the project and other relevant factors. 

Staatsolie also has corporate standards and management policies that are relevant to the project 

and the EIA process, notably its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy and Management 

System. 

The legislative, regulatory and institutional requirements guiding the proposed EIA process as 

described above are discussed in more detail below. Note that other requirements may pertain to the 

proposed project, but identification and interpretation of these is beyond the brief of this study. As 

such, the list provided below is not intended to be definitive or exhaustive, and serves to highlight 

key environmental legislation and obligations only. 

The key regulatory requirements pertaining to the proposed expansion project and the environmental 

assessment thereof include the following: 

• Suriname legislation, regulations and guidelines; 

• Corporate environmental policies and standards of Staatsolie; and 

• International best practice standards, such as the guidelines of the World Bank Group. 

2.2 Suriname legal requirements 

2.2.1 Legal requirements regarding Environmental Assessment 

NIMOS, the technical division of the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and 

Environment (Ministerie van Arbeid, Technologische Ontwikkeling en Milieu - ATM), is responsible 

for the development of national environmental legislation and administers the environmental 

permitting process in Suriname. 

2 The World Bank Group standards are applied as best practice guidelines and not as an investment 

requirement. 



A draft Environmental Act (2002) has been developed as a framework law in response to the 1992 

Rio declaration. The draft Act lays down rules for the conservation, management and protection of a 

sound environment within the framework of sustainable development. The draft Act has been under 

consideration by the Council of Ministers for some time and has not yet been promulgated. After 

acceptance by the Council of Ministers and the Council of State, the draft Act will be considered by 

the National Assembly for promulgation. Nevertheless, the principles in the draft Act provide 

guidance for conducting an EIA in Suriname. The two principal legal requirements of the draft Act 

that are relevant to the Staatsolie pipeline project and the EIA are the requirements relating to the 

preparation and execution of EIAs (Section 2 (2.2)), and the requirements relating to permitting 

procedures (Section 2 (2.3)). 

While there is currently no legislative basis for the assessment of environmental impacts of 

development proposals in Suriname, NIMOS has published Guidelines for Environmental 

Assessment (EA) in Suriname. The EA Guidelines are being applied by NIMOS as part of the 

project permitting process and project developers are expected to comply with the guidelines. 

The EA Guidelines series consists of the following volumes: 

• Volume I: Generic (2009) – This volume contains general guidelines for determining the need 

for an EA, the nature and extent of the analysis required and the procedure that should be 

followed in conducting an EA. The guidelines cover aspects such as project screening, 

classification of projects, scoping guidelines, public consultation, structure of EA reports and the 

EA report review process, including criteria for review and compliance checklist. Project 

screening is required to determine the need for and required level of EA. Projects are classified 

according to three categories, namely Category A (EA is mandatory), B (some form of 

environmental assessment is required) or C (no environmental assessment is required). 

The proposed construction of the three pipelines has been classified as a Category A project 

under the listing of “Pipelines for oil and/or gas” and a full EIA process is therefore required. 

• Volume II: Mining (2005) – These guidelines are not relevant to this project. 

• Volume III: Forestry (2005) – These guidelines are not relevant to this project. 

• Volume IV: Social Impact Assessment (2005) – These guidelines provide an outline of the 

requirements for conducting Social Impact Assessment, whether as part of an EA process or 

required independently for projects that have potential impacts on the social environment. 

• Volume V: Power Generation and Transmission Projects (2005) – These guidelines are not 

relevant to this project. 

2.2.2 Other environmental legal requirements 

A draft Waste Act (2004) has been compiled but not yet promulgated. The draft Act sets out 

regulations for the treatment of waste materials to protect the environment, based on the “polluter 

pays” principle. Different types of waste materials are identified and rules laid down for adequate 

storage, transportation and treatment (including recycling, composting and disposal) of each waste 

type. The Act makes provision for the prosecution of transgressors. The draft Waste Act is 

synchronised with the draft Environmental Act to ensure that there are no inconsistencies. 

Other legal instruments governing environmental management in Suriname, categorised according 

to the environmental issues that they address, are presented in Table 2-1 below. Note the table only 

lists key instruments and is not necessarily comprehensive, and not all of the listed instruments 

necessarily apply to this project. 



Table 2-1: Selected relevant national environmental legislation 

Title Objective Implementing agency Remarks 

MINERAL RESOURCES 

Mining Decree 1986 

S.B. 1986 no. 28 as 

amended by S.B. 

1997 no. 44 

Petroleum Law 1990 

S.B. 1991 no. 7 as 


2001 no. 58 

LAND / LAND USE 

Planning Law 1973 

G.B. 1973 no. 89 

Construction Law 

1956 G.B.1956 no. 30 

as amended by S.B. 

2002 no. 72 

City-Construction Law 

G.B. 1972 no. 96 

Law on Ecological 

Circumstances in 

Residential Areas 

S.B. 1980 no. 68 

Police Criminal Law 

G.B. 1915 no. 77 as 


1990 no. 24 

Civil Code G.B. 1860 

no. 4 

WATER 

Water Supply Law 

G.B. 1938 no. 33 

Harbours Decree 

1981 S.B. 1981 no. 

86 

Governs exploration and 

exploitation of mineral 

resources. 

Article 2 stipulates that all 

raw materials in and above 

the ground, including the 

territorial sea, are property 

of the State. 

Provides provisions for the 

exploration and exploitation 

of hydrocarbons. 

Provisions for national and 

regional planning e.g. landuse 

policy issues. 

Provides requirements for 

the construction of 

buildings. 

Provisions for urban 

development. 

To improve the ecological 

circumstances in residential 

areas 

Contains many general 

environmental provisions 

with respect to public 

places, including waste 

disposal, noise, control of 

pests, hunting and fishing, 

water pollution, etc. 

Addresses all matters of 

private law. 

Contains prohibitions with 

respect to water wells, etc. 

that serve as water supply 

sources. 

Provisions for harbour 

activities. 

MNH (GMD) Articles 2, 4, 16, 43, 45 are 

applicable to environmental 

protection. 

Contains requirements for 

consideration of affected 

communities of Indigenous 

Peoples. 

Several implementation 

regulations have been issued 

under this decree. 

MNH Article 6e deals with the 

management of adverse impacts 

on the environment. 

Minister of Planning, 

Planning Coordination 

Commission and Planning 

Council. 

Ministry of Public Works 

Ministry of Public Works 

District Commissioners 

Ministry of Justice and 

Police 

MNH, Ministry of Public 

Health 

Maritime Authority 

Suriname and District 

Commissioners, assisted 

by the Prosecutor's office, 

the Police and the Ministry 

of Trade and Industry 

Contains the mechanism to 

establish Special Management 

Areas, to be developed as 

Multiple-Use Management Areas 

Article 39a penalizes the disposal 

of waste in public places. 

Article 51 penalizes the 

contamination of a water 

resource. 

Article 625 deals with 

ownership/proprietary rights as 

well as expropriation for the 

general good prior to 

compensation. 

According to this Law the 

President is responsible for its 

implementation, but in practice 

the ministries assume the role. 

Prohibits the discharge of waste, 

oil, and oil-contaminated water 

and condemned goods into public 

waterways and harbours. 



Title Objective Implementing agency Remarks 

Maritime Safety Law 

S.B. 2004 No. 90 

Drilling Law G.B. 

1952 no. 93 

Police Criminal Law 

G.B. 1915 no. 77 as 

amended 

Penal Code G.B. 

1911 no.1 as 

amended 

Provisions for safety of 

ships and harbours. 

Regulates drilling activities 

in Suriname. 

Contains many general 

environmental provisions 

with respect to public 

places, including waste 

disposal, noise, control of 

pests, hunting and fishing, 

water pollution, etc. 

Maritime Authority 

Suriname, Ministry of 

Trade and Industry, 

Maritime Safety Council 

GMD Drilling of liquid-containing layers 

should be done in a manner by 

which these liquids do not come 

in contact with both each other 

and other mineral depositions. 


Police 


Police 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY / LABOUR / PUBLIC HEALTH 

Occupational Safety 

Law G.B. 1947 no. 

142 as amended 

Labour Inspection 

Law S.B. 1983 no. 42 

Water Supply Law 

G.B. 1938 no. 33 

Movement of Goods 

Law S.B. 2003 no. 74 

Government Decree 

Resolution Negative 

List 2003 S.B. no. 74 

as amended by S.B. 

2006 no. 20 

To advance safety and 

hygiene in enterprises so 

that the chance of accidents 

and occupational diseases 

can be reduced to a 

minimum. 

Outlines the tasks and 

responsibilities of the 

Labour Inspector. 

Source: Adapted from SRK (2010). 

Establishes prohibitions with 

respect to water wells, etc. 

that serve as water supply 

sources. 

Provides general rules for 

international trade 

Regulates the international 

traffic of goods. 

In terms of Article 51 the polluting 

of a water source or water well is 

liable to a fine. 

In terms of Articles 224 and 225, 

contamination of water resources 

is penalised. 

Ministry of Labour 9 regulations have been issued 

for the implementation of this 

Law. 

Ministry of Labour In cases where the safety of 

persons is in danger, the 

Inspector has the authority to 

close the enterprise in question. 

MNH, Ministry of Public 

Health 

Ministry of Trade & 

Industry 

Ministry of Trade & 

Industry 

According to this Law the 

President is responsible for its 

implementation, but in practice 

the ministries assume the role. 

Import and export of chemical 

waste, pesticides, animals, 

mercury, radioactive materials, 

etc. are allowed with the approval 

of the Government. 

There is no formalised spatial land use planning or legislation in Suriname and as such no land 

use/zoning authorisations are required (Kasantaroeno, pers comm., cited in SRK, 2010). 

Agencies who will be involved in various approval or consultation processes applicable to this project 

are expected to include the: 

• Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment (ATM) – which is responsible 

for the environment and the formulation of national environmental legislation and the supervision 

of compliance with employment protection and health and safety inspection regulations; 

• National Institute for Environmental Development in Suriname (NIMOS) – which is a technical 

division of ATM and the main environmental management and advisory body that administers 

the environmental permitting process in Suriname; 



• Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT) – which is responsible for the tourism 

sector in Suriname as well as all aspects of transport and infrastructure; 

• Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) – which is responsible for shipping and port activities in 

Suriname; 

• Ministry of Regional Development (RO) – which is responsible for the development of rural areas 

and the provision of services outside Paramaribo through the District Commissioner; 

• Ministry of Public Works and Traffic – which is responsible for town planning, waste 

management and surface water control in Paramaribo; 

• Ministry of Public Health – which is responsible for general public health management; 

• Ministry of Spatial Planning, Land and Forest Management (RGB) – which is responsible for city 

and land use planning and forest, flora and fauna resource management; and 

• Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV) – which is responsible for the 

management of land and water for agriculture, agricultural research and the management of fish 

resources and water supply systems outside of Paramaribo. 

2.3 International standards, requirements, guidelines 

SRK will be guided by international standards and best practice in conducting the pipeline project 

EIA and associated public consultation and information disclosure process. 

These include the: 

• World Bank Group’s Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, which is a one-stop reference 

document that provides practical guidance for identifying and addressing negative 

environmental impacts of development projects. The Sourcebook aims to collect all of the 

different World Bank policies, procedures, guidelines, precedents and best practice that reside 

in different World Bank publications into a single source. The document is continually updated 

and covers a wide range of subjects. Included are guidelines for addressing specific ecological, 

socio-economic and other issues that may arise during an environmental assessment process, 

sectoral guidelines for environmental assessment and guidelines for the involvement of 

communities and NGOs in the process. 

• Performance Standards (PS) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC – the private sector 

arm of the World Bank Group), which contain guidelines on how to undertake EIAs and various 

specialist studies (see Table 2-2); and 

• Relevant Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines of the IFC. 

Table 2-2: IFC Performance Standards 

Performance Standard (PS) Aims and objectives 

PS 1: Social and Environmental 

Assessment and Management 

Systems 

PS 2: Labour and Working 

Conditions 

PS 3: Pollution Prevention and 

Abatement 

Requires the identification and assessment of all social and 

environmental impacts and risks in a project’s area of influence and aims 

to avoid, or where avoidance is not possible, minimise adverse social and 

environmental impacts and to ensure that affected communities are 

appropriately engaged. 

Aims to establish, maintain and improve worker-management 

relationships through fair treatment of workers and compliance with 

national labour and employment laws. 

Addresses the implementation of the principles of the World Bank’s 

Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook at policy level and aims to 

avoid or minimise pollution from project activities. Reference to the IFC’s 

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines is required in terms of this 

PS. 



Performance Standard (PS) Aims and objectives 

PS 4: Community Health, 

Safety and Security 

PS 5: Land Acquisition and 

Involuntary Resettlement 

PS 6: Biodiversity Conservation 

and Sustainable Natural 

Resource Management 

PS 7: Indigenous Peoples 

PS 8: Cultural Heritage 

Aims to minimise and manage health and safety risks to local 

communities from project-related activities. 

Requires that the need for involuntary resettlement be avoided or 

minimised and that the negative consequences of involuntary 

resettlement be mitigated through appropriate consultation with those 

affected and adequate compensation. 

Aims to protect and conserve biodiversity and to manage natural 

resources sustainably through the integration of conservation needs and 

development priorities. The objectives of the standard are premised on 

elements of the Convention on Biological Diversity. 

Promotes respect for the dignity, human rights, aspirations, cultures and 

customary livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and requires that adverse 

impacts on communities of Indigenous Peoples are avoided or, where 

avoidance is not feasible, are minimised, mitigated or compensated for in 

a culturally appropriate manner. 

The preservation and protection of cultural heritage from adverse impacts 

as a result of project activities are the objectives of this standard. 

Equitable benefits from the use of cultural heritage in business activities 

are also promoted. The standard addresses the removal and project use 

of cultural heritage, procedures for the chance finding of cultural heritage, 

consultation and participation on the handling of cultural heritage and the 

handling of critical cultural heritage, e.g. legally protected cultural 

heritage. 

Note: Bold text indicates standards that may be relevant to the proposed refinery expansion EIA. 

Where applicable, the standards and guidelines will be modified to reflect the scale of the project 

and other relevant factors (e.g. time constraints). Selected relevant international guidelines and 

case studies will also be taken into account, where appropriate. 

2.4 Corporate requirements 

Staatsolie has put in place procedures for protecting the environment that adhere to international 

standards. An integrated Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy and Management System is 

implemented across all of Staatsolie’s operations to monitor its effects on the health and safety of its 

employees, contractors and affected communities, as well as impacts on the environment. 

2.5 EIA Process 

An EIA is a systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental 3 effects of a 

proposed project. The purpose of an EIA is to: 

• Provide information for decision-making on the environmental consequences of proposed 

actions by identifying the potentially significant environmental effects and risks of a proposed 

project (i.e. ensure that environmental factors are considered in decision-making processes 

along with economic and technical factors). This means that the outcome of an EIA process 

provides advice to the decision-makers, and is not a final decision in itself; and 

• Promote environmentally sound and sustainable development through the identification of 

appropriate enhancement and mitigation measures. 

Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently quoted definition 

is that of the Brundtland Commission (WCED, 1987) : Sustainable development is ‘development that 

meets the needs of today’s generation without compromising those of future generations’. 

3 ‘Environment’ is used in the broadest sense (including social and cultural aspects of the environment). 



It is widely accepted that adverse environmental impacts of projects and development need to be 

prevented or minimised, and EIA has become an important tool in achieving this through the 

integration of environmental considerations into proposed projects. Recommendations made by an 

EIA may necessitate the redesign of some project components, require further studies, identify 

changes which alter the economic viability of the project or cause a delay in project implementation. 

An EIA should also lead to a mechanism whereby adequate monitoring is undertaken to achieve 

effective environmental management of the project during implementation. 

The general approach to the EIA will be guided by the requirements of NIMOS, as stipulated in the 

EA Guidelines (2009), and international best practice. 

The relevant principles underpinning the EIA are: 

• Assessment based on appropriate information; 

• Accountability for information on which decisions are made; 

• Broad interpretation of the term “environment” (inclusion of social and biophysical environment); 

• An open and transparent participatory approach; 

• Consultation with stakeholders; 

• Due consideration of alternatives; 

• Attempt to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive impacts; 

• Attempt to understand the social costs and benefits of the proposed project; 

• Regard for individual and community rights and obligations; and 

• Opportunity for public and specialist input in the EIA process. 

The main objectives of the EIA are to: 

• Document and contextualise the ecological baseline conditions of the study area and the socioeconomic 

conditions of affected communities; 

• Assess in detail the environmental and socio-economic impacts that may result from the project; 

• Inform and obtain contributions from stakeholders, including relevant authorities and the public, 

and address their relevant issues and concerns; 

• Identify environmental and social mitigation measures to address the impacts assessed; and 

• Develop an EMMP and Conceptual Decommissioning Plan, based in part on the mitigation 

measures developed in the EIA Report. 

The EA process consists of three phases: screening, scoping and impact assessment. Staatsolie 

completed the Screening Phase prior to the appointment of SRK. Based on NIMOS’ EA Guidelines, 

the project was declared a Category A project listed under the Project Type “Pipelines for oil and/or 

gas,” for which a full EIA is required. 

SRK undertook the Scoping Phase between October 2011 and February 2012, when the Final Study 

Plan was submitted to NIMOS. The Impact Assessment phase is currently underway. A graphic 

overview of SRK’s EIA process is provided in Figure 2-1, while Table 2-3 provides an overview of 

activities undertaken to date for the EIA process. 



SCOPING PHASE 

Study Plan 

NIMOS Review 

IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE 

Specialist Studies 

Draft EIA Report & Management Plans 

Public Consultation 

Final EIA Report & management plans 

Submission to NIMOS 

NIMOS Review 

Recommendations and advice 

Figure 2-1: Overview of the EIA process 

Table 2-3: Activities undertaken during the Staatsolie Pipeline EIA 

Activity Timeline Document References 

Activities undertaken by Staatsolie (Screening Phase): 

Submission of Terms of Reference 

(ToR) for the EIA to NIMOS 

Meetings with directly affected 

landowners to discuss and obtain 

feedback on the project. 

Meetings with MAS and District 

Commissioners to discuss and obtain 

feedback on the project. 

October – 

November 2009 

December 2010 

and January 2012 

October 2011, 

December 2011 

and January 2012 

General Terms of Reference for 

Environmental Impact Assessment for the 

Construction of a Diesel, Gasoline and 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Pipeline 

Minutes of meeting 

Activities undertaken by SRK (Scoping and Impact Assessment Phase): 

Preparation of Study Plan for NIMOS 

review 

Presentations at meeting 

October 2011 SRK Report No: 439414/1 

NIMOS comments on Study Plan November 2011 NIMOS Comments: Staatsolie Pipeline 

EIA- Study Plan 

Final Study Plan for submission to 

NIMOS 

Preparation of Draft EIA Report (this 

document) and Non-technical Summary 

February 2012 SRK Report No: 439414/2 

March – May 2012 SRK Report No: 439414/3 

Preparation of Management Plans April – May 2012 Chapter 6 

SRK Reports No: 439414/4 

Advertisement of the process to the 

public 

June 2012 

Meetings with stakeholders June 2012 



3 Description of the proposed project 

The project entails the construction of three pipelines underneath the western bank of the Suriname 

River, between the Staatsolie refinery at Tout Lui Faut in the south and Suritex in the north, via the 

SOL and OGANE sites (see Figure 3-1). 

3.1 Project motivation: need and desirability 

Staatsolie is currently in the process of expanding the oil refinery at Tout Lui Faut to increase the 

processing capacity from 7 000 to 15 000 bbl per day, and to produce new and higher value-added 

products for the local market, including Euro IV diesel and gasoline. Staatsolie aims to meet local 

demand for diesel and to a great extent gasoline once the new refinery is in production, thereby 

satisfying the objective of the National Energy Policy to reduce the economy’s dependence on 

imported oil and oil products in the mid- and long-term through the development of national energy 

sources. 

The new pipelines are required to support the refinery expansion project, as the pipelines will: 

• Deliver the new diesel and gasoline products to the SOL and Suritex depots (for onward 

distribution to downstream retail outlets); and 

• Deliver LPG from OGANE to the refinery (large volumes of LPG are required within a short 

period during periodic cold start-ups of the refinery). 

3.2 Overview of project area 

The Staatsolie refinery is located in a peri-urban area on a site that (post expansion) measures 

approximately 42 ha and abuts the Suriname River, which forms its northern border. To the east the 

site is bounded by a strip of forested land, to the south by Sir Winston Churchill Road and to the 

west by the Tout Lui Faut Canal and residential area. The Staatsolie Power Company Suriname 

(SPCS) is also located to the west of the site. Paramaribo, the capital is located about 7 km to the 

north of the site. 

SOL is a petroleum company that operates throughout the Caribbean, manages service stations 

under the Shell brand and acts as the sole distributor of Shell's fuels and lubricants. The SOL depots 

are divided over two locations: the main depot SOL-SUHOZA is located approximately half way 

between the Staatsolie refinery and the centre of Paramaribo, with the smaller depot SOL- 

Beekhuizen located closer to the center of Paramaribo next to the Suritex depot. The main depot lies 

adjacent to the Suriname River and has its own jetty on the river. Less densely occupied residential 

areas are located adjacent to the plant to the south-west, with the more densely occupied outskirts of 

Paramaribo located approximately 1 km to the west. Approximately 3 km north of the main SOL 

depot lies its smaller depot. This depot also lies adjacent to the Suriname River with a jetty that is 

shared between SOL and Suritex. 

OGANE is a subsidiary of Energie Bedrijven Suriname (EBS) and imports LPG from Trinidad, which 

it distributes in Suriname. OGANE is a neighbour of SOL, located just north-west of SOL, some 

500 m from the Suriname River, and is serviced by the same jetty as SOL. 

Staatsolie has acquired the Chevron Corporation in Suriname and, as of 1 September 2011, 

manages its 20 service stations, four fuel bunker stations and depot under the “Suritex” brand. The 

depot is located approximately 5 km from the refinery and 2 km from the centre of Paramaribo, at the 

western end of the Wijdenbosch bridge over the Suriname River and some 400 m from the river 

edge. To the west and south, densely inhabited suburbs of Paramaribo are located immediately 

adjacent to the Suritex site, with Paramaribo’s harbour “Nieuwe Haven” located to the north. Suritex 

is also serviced by a jetty in the Suriname River. 



Suritex 

HDD Section 1 

1230 m 

OGANE 

SOL 

Saramacca 

canal 

HDD Section 2 

850 m 

Pipeline trenching 

portion 

Figure 3-1: Proposed alignment of pipelines 

HDD Section 3 

1640 m 


pipeline underneath the river 

HDD Section 4 

1520 m 

Tout Lui Faut 

canal 


Refinery 

REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Final February 2012


Two canals lie between the Staastolie refinery and the Suritex depot, viz. the Tout Lui Faut 

canal just north of the Staatsolie refinery and the Saramacca canal just north of the OGANE 

site. The Suriname River is used by a wide range of vessels of various sizes in this section. 

3.3 Description of the proposed project 

3.3.1 General description 

The project entails the construction of three underground pipelines between the Staatsolie 

refinery at Tout Lui Faut in the south and the SOL-Beekhuizen and Suritex depots in the north, 

via the SOL-SUHOZA and OGANE sites, as per the specifications provided in Table 3-1: 

• One diesel and one gasoline pipeline will run between the Staatsolie refinery and the SOL 

and Suritex product storage depots, to convey diesel and gasoline from the Staatsolie 

refinery to SOL and Suritex; and 

• One LPG pipeline will run between the Staatsolie refinery and OGANE, to convey LPG 

from OGANE to the Staatsolie refinery. 

Table 3-1: Proposed pipelines from Staatsolie Refinery 

Pipeline Between refinery and Diameter Pressure rating Pump capacity 

Diesel SOL and Suritex 10” 300 psi 2 000 bbl per hour 

Gasoline SOL and Suritex 8” 150 psi 750 bbl per hour 

LPG OGANE 4” 300 psi 4 tons per hour 

The three pipelines will follow a single alignment. In addition, a fibre optic cable will be 

installed alongside the pipelines. 

3.3.2 Pipeline alignment 

The pipeline will be laid underneath and just in-stream of the western bank of the Suriname 

River, using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) (see Figure 3-2). Continuous sections of up 

to 1.64 km will be drilled. At the beginning and end of each drill section, an entry and/or exit 

point will be located at the surface, where the drill pad will be placed and from where the 

pipelines will be pulled into and out of the drill hole. At these points, the pipelines will lie 

approximately 3 m below the surface, while between entry and exit points the pipelines are 

expected to lie up to 30 m below the riverbed, depending on the HDD section and ground 

conditions, which will be finalised during detailed design. 

The pipeline will be laid in four drill sections with five entry and/or exit points, which are 

located: 

1. North of the Jules Wijdenbosch bridge; 

2. On the Bruynzeel site at the confluence of the Saramacca Canal and Suriname River, 

south of the Dalian company; 

3. On the riverbank near the SOL jetty in front of the OGANE property; 

4. On the riverbank between MNO Vervat and Kuldipsingh in front of the SEMC property; 

and 

5. On the riverbank adjacent to and north-east of the Staatsolie refinery (see Figure 3-1). 

From the exit near the SOL-Beekhuizen jetty, the LPG pipeline will be routed on land towards 

OGANE, and branches/offtakes of the diesel and gasoline pipelines will lead to SOL- 

Beekhuizen. 



Figure 3-2: River alignment alternative of the proposed pipelines 



3.3.3 Construction 

The majority of the pipeline route (some 5 240 m out of a total 6 350 m) will be constructed 

using HDD. HDD is a steerable trenchless method of installing underground pipes, conduits 

and cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path by using a surface launched drilling 

rig, with minimal impact on the surrounding area. This method is typically employed when 

trenching or excavating is not practical, using a specialised machine with a drill head that can 

be guided during the drilling operation. 

The branches of the pipelines leading from the exit point at the SOL-SUHOZA jetty to OGANE 

and SOL-SUHOZA will be laid using conventional trenching. The last ~20 m of the pipeline 

connecting to the equipment at OGANE and SOL-SUHOZA will be placed on pole supports 

and elevated some 0.5 m above ground. Approximately 70 m of pipeline will be laid using 

conventional trenching between the entry and exit points on the Bruynzeel site. 

It is anticipated that pipeline construction will start in the first quarter of 2013, with early civil 

works (earth preparation for the HDD work areas) in the third quarter of 2012. In total, pipeline 

installation is expected to take 8 to 10 months. 

3.3.3.1 Drill pads 

Before drilling can commence, drill pads will be constructed at exit points, notably near the 

SOL jetty and the Staatsolie refinery, to support the drill rig and associated works. Pads will 

thus be located in areas currently used or earmarked for industrial purposes. The pads will 

extend 20 to 30 m from the high water mark into the river and will be constructed by filling the 

area with sand to raise it above water level. A bund will be constructed around the drill entry / 

exit point to create a buffer to contain the drilling mud during construction. 

The layout of each drill pad will vary depending on the local conditions and space constraints 

and will be discussed with the respective landowners and MAS. Each pad is likely to occupy 

up to 2 500 m 2 (0.25 ha) and include the following elements: 

• Drill rig; 

• Operating cabin; 

• Hiab truck-mounted crane; 

• Drill pipe storage; 

• Deadman 4 ; 

• Drill mud pit; 

• Canteen; 

• Generator; 

• Storage; 

• Pump; 

• Drill mud tank; 

• Water tank; 

• Mixing unit and mud recycling unit; 

• Drill mud storage area. 

One drill rig with a pulling force of 250 tonnes will be used and moved to the various points 

where drilling will be executed. The bore path will be drilled from the exit point, as the pipeline 

will be pulled back into the hole from the entry point at the opposite end of the drill section. 

The rig will be jacked up on the drill pad to allow the drill to penetrate the ground at the 

required angle (see Figure 3-3). 

4 A piece of wood or concrete, usually buried, to which a wire guy line is attached for bracing a mast or tower. 

REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Final 

June 2012


Figure 3-3: Schematic drawing of drilling operation at entry points 

3.3.3.2 Alignment 

The approximately 4 km of Suriname riverbank that fall within the study area accommodates 

more than ten jetties and structures. Most of these are constructed on pilings. The typical 

piling depth for jetties is about 18 m below riverbed. Newer and larger jetties may have been 

founded on longer piles, penetrating up to about 24 m below the riverbed (Visser & Smit 

Hanab, 2011). 

The pipeline will be aligned such that the horizontal, deepest part of the pipeline runs 

underneath the piles wherever possible or that the pipeline runs between the piles where 

necessary. As a general rule, the pipeline must be a minimum distance of 2 m from vertical 

structures or 4 m if beneath such structures. Known plans for the future extension of existing 

or construction of new jetties will be taken into account in the alignment - the pipeline will not 

impose a constraint on such plans. 

HDD can achieve accuracy of less than 1 m deviation from the planned path per 1 000 m 

distance drilled (IMAR, not dated). For the longest drill section of 1 640 meter, this implies a 

maximum deviation of some 1.5 m. This will be taken into account when the detailed drill path 

is determined. 

3.3.3.3 Drilling mud 

Drilling mud is used to: 

• Cool, lubricate and clean the drill head during the drilling operation; 

• Suspend and carry drill cuttings out of the bore path; and 

• Stabilise the bore path prior to and during pull back. 

A benign, non–toxic water-based mud consisting of a mixture of approximately 95% water and 

5% bentonite clay will be used. An estimated 170 tons of bentonite, equating to 3 400 tons of 

drilling mud, will be used. The precise composition of the drilling mud will be chosen based on 

the soil conditions. Additives can be used in small amounts to influence the viscosity and other 

properties of the drilling fluid, and could include cement, Pac-L 

(Sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose), Multisorb (a superabsorbent polymer) and N-seal (a silicate). 

During HDD drilling the borehole is filled and kept filled with the drilling mud. After the pull-in of 


June 2012


the pipeline or bundle of pipelines, the residual spacing of the bore path remains filled with 

bentonite. This seals the borehole over time, sometimes to the extent that the seal has a lower 

permeability than the original soil. 

The drilling mud will be confined to a mud pit. As the mud exits the borehole, carrying with it 

the drill cuttings, it will be directed to an on-site mix and recycling unit which separates the 

cuttings from the mud and returns the mud to the drilling operation. This allows the re-use of 

the drilling mud and reduces the volume of waste generated by the operation. 

By the end of the operation, most drilling mud will remain as a fill in the boreholes. After 

completion of drilling in any one section, some drilling mud will remain in the pits at the entry 

and exit points, and will need to be disposed of. The total quantity of drilling mud for disposal 

is estimated at 18 tons of bentonite, i.e. 360 tons of drilling mud, which amounts to 

approximately 11% of total bentonite / mud used in the HDD operations. Options for disposal 

of this mud include working it into the topsoil of nearby farmland or discharging it into the 

Suriname River. 

The estimated 2 000 m 3 of drill cuttings, consisting of the original material removed from the 

borehole with a minor fraction of drilling fluid attached to it, will be used as fill. 

3.3.3.4 Assembling and insertion of pipelines 

Drilling is done in three stages: 

1. A pilot hole is drilled on the designed path; 

2. The hole is enlarged to the required size by using a larger drill; and 

3. The pipeline is placed in the enlarged hole by pulling it behind the reamer to allow centring 

of the pipe in the drilled hole. 

Before insertion into the drill hole, the pipelines are assembled in an approximately 1 650 m 

long assembly area, either located on land or extending into the water, where the pipelines 

(strings) will be assembled on piles placed in the river (see green dotted line in Figure 3-2 for 

possible alignments of the assembly area). The length of the string must equal the length of 

the drill section. Once assembled, the strings will be pulled by barge on the river to the 

respective entry points, where telescopic cranes or vertical piles or containers with roller 

supports will lift and position them for insertion into the drill hole. 

The pipelines and the fibre optic cable will be bundled before insertion into the drill hole (see 

Figure 3-4). 

Cross section between Staatsolie Refinery and OGANE (with 

diesel, gasoline and LPG pipelines and fibre optic cable) 

Figure 3-4: Proposed cross-section of pipeline bundle 

Cross section between OGANE and SOL-Beekhuizen-Suritex (with 

diesel and gasoline pipelines and fibre optic cable) 


June 2012


Underground pipelines will be entirely welded, and all welds will be x-rayed for control. Three 

layers of coating will be applied to the outside of the pipelines. The walls of pipelines located 

in shallower sections, near the entry / exit points, will be thicker, as the risk of third party 

interference and stress on the pipe due to differential settlement will be highest in these 

sections. In these sections pipelines will also be protected by a plate inserted above the 

pipelines about 2 m below ground (see Figure 3-5). Pipelines will be coated for extra strength. 

A cathodic protection system will be used to prevent corrosion of the pipeline. 

Figure 3-5: Schematic drawing of pipeline at entry / exit points 

3.3.3.5 Work force 

The HDD will be mainly executed by an international contractor, which is expected to bring its 

own skilled personnel and specialised equipment to Suriname for the duration of the drilling 

phase. The HDD contractor crew is expected to consist of approximately: 

• 12 persons in the drill rig crew (6 persons per 12 hour shift); 

• 30 - 40 persons engaged in welding operations during the assembling of the pipeline; and 

• 30 - 40 persons engaged in river operations, depending on type of boats used, to lay out 

the pipelines for insertion into the drill hole (these activities should not exceed 3 days). 

Some drilling in the shorter sections at Bruynzeel may be undertaken by local companies with 

smaller, local drill rigs. 

Ancillary work related to the pipeline construction, such as the preparation of drill pads and 

trenching of the relevant sections, will be undertaken by local (Surinamese) contractors. It is 

estimated that approximately 25 staff will be engaged in those activities for some 3 months, 

viz. 10 persons (periodically) engaged in transport of equipment (5 trucks) and 15 persons 

engaged in piling and concrete works. 

3.3.4 Operation 

Pumps and pig 5 launchers for the diesel and gasoline pipelines will be installed at the 

Staatsolie refinery site. The pump and pig launcher for the LPG line will be installed at the 

OGANE site. 

The gasoline pipeline will transport Gasoline (95 RON) and the diesel pipeline will transport 

Automotive Diesel (Euro IV), with the specifications listed in Table 3-2 below. 

5 Pigging in the context of pipelines refers to the practice of using pipeline inspection gauges or 'pigs' to perform 

various maintenance operations on a pipeline. This is done without stopping the flow of the product in the pipeline. 


June 2012


Table 3-2: Specifications of pipeline products 

Gasoline (95 RON) Automotive Diesel (Euro IV) 

RON 95 min Density at 15 oC 820 - 845 kg/m 3 

MON 85 min Viscosity at 40 °C 2.0 - 4.5 cSt 

Density at 15 °C 720-775 kg/m 3 

Flash point, Abel 55°C min 

Aromatics 45 Vol% max Cloud point -15°C max 

Benzene 1 vol% max Sulfur content 10 ppm wt max 

Olefins 18 %vol max Water content 200 ppm wt max 

RVP 9 psi @ 100°F Cetane Number 51.0 min 

Sulfur content 10 ppm wt max ASTM D86 95% 360°C max 

Lead 0 g/l Polycyclic aromatics 11 wt% max 

10 vol% evaporated 70°C max 

50 vol% evaporated 77-121°C 

90 vol% evaporated 190°C max 

Copper strip corrosion No. 1 max 

Silver strip corrosion 1 max 

Solvent washed gum content 5 mg/100ml max 

Oxidation stability 240 minutes min 

During normal conditions, the pipelines will be operated during the 8-hour day shift. Diesel and 

gasoline will be stored in tanks at the Staatsolie refinery, certified and then pumped in batches 

to SOL and Suritex. 

LPG will be received from OGANE. During normal operations, approximately 4 tons/hr of LPG 

will be pumped for some 5.5 hours twice a week, with a total of approximately 44 tons per 

week conveyed in the pipeline. During cold start-ups of the Staatsolie refinery, larger volumes 

of LPG will be transferred over two to three weeks, and pumping may take place 24 hour per 

day. 

Part of the pipeline automation system is a custody-metering system at the refinery for all 

three pipelines. The pipeline automation system will be interfaced with the refinery Distribution 

Control System for control and monitoring purposes. 

The pipelines will be cleaned and inspected for condition and stresses by regular ‘smart 

pigging’. In sections where the pipelines are situated above ground or buried with shallow 

cover, the pipeline corridor will be marked and maintained, and above-ground land use will 

have to be carefully coordinated and controlled. 

3.4 Project alternatives 

Best practice requires that an EIA process identifies and describes feasible and reasonable 

alternatives to the proposed activity. Different types or categories of alternatives can be 

identified, e.g. relating to the location or route of the project, the type of activity, the design or 

layout, the technology or operation. The ‘no go’ or ’no development’ alternative must also be 

considered. 

Not all categories of alternatives are applicable to all projects. Furthermore, the consideration 

of alternatives is also inherent in the detailed design of the project and the identification of 

mitigation measures in the EIA process, and thus not all possible alternatives can be 

individually presented in an EIA. Specific alternatives with relevance to the project are 

discussed below. 


June 2012


3.4.1 Route alternatives 

The alignment of the pipeline has been refined and adjusted by Staatsolie at several junctures 

in the design process based on environmental conditions and extensive talks with landowners. 

Initially, two general alternative alignments were investigated for the pipelines: 

• A terrestrial alignment, which relied mainly on trenching; and 

• An alignment along and underneath the Suriname River (described in Section 3.3.2), 

which relies mainly on HDD and only makes use of trenching where required to establish 

connections. 

During the course of the technical prefeasibility investigation, it became apparent that the 

terrestrial alignment is not viable, since negotiations with landowners to secure servitudes and 

rights of way were not successful and prospects of reaching agreement in the future are 

considered extremely unlikely. The terrestrial alignment thus no longer represents a 

feasible alternative, and has not been assessed in the impact assessment. 

Apart from impacting fewer properties, the river alignment has a number of other advantages 

over the land alignment: 

• The alignment is straighter, which makes it easier to clean the pipeline by pigging and 

requires fewer pigging stations (likely only one); 

• HDD has fewer impacts on land and water bodies than trenching, as it only requires 

construction activities at the entry / exit points; 

• The pipeline is less at risk of third-party interference as it lies deeper; 

• Due to its greater depth, the pipeline only requires occasional monitoring of pipeline 

stresses (with a focus on the tie-ins) and soil cover (with a focus on the shallower 

sections); 

• Due to its depth, the pipeline does not sterilize land located above the pipeline; and 

• Maintenance of the pipeline corridor is essentially restricted to the entry / exit points, and 

does not require marking and maintenance of an exclusion zone along the entire corridor. 

Generally, the detailed alignment of the pipeline and its entry / exit points has been chosen 

and amended to have minimal impact on adjacent land use and structures (also see Section 

3.3.3.2 in this regard). 

3.4.2 Construction method alternatives 

A number of construction methods were considered for the pipeline. Some of these are 

specific to the pipeline alignment, i.e. the previously considered terrestrial alignment relied 

more heavily on trenching, while the alignment underneath the Suriname River has to 

predominantly make use of HDD and cannot be achieved with trenching alone. 

Construction methods that are and have been considered include: 

• Open trenching on land: This method involves the digging of a trench to the desired 

depth at which the pipeline will lie. The pipe is laid into the trench, which is then backfilled 

with the excavated soil. Problems associated with this construction method include the 

presence of construction crews and disturbance of land along the entire pipeline route, 

higher maintenance effort of the pipeline corridor as well as the pipeline’s shallow depth 

and hence vulnerability to interference from third parties. 

Trenching was considered as the main construction method for the terrestrial alignment. 

Since that alignment has been screened out, trenching is restricted to short sections 


June 2012


between the pipeline entry and exit points on the Bruynzeel site and to connect the 

pipelines from the drill pad near the SOL-SUHOZA jetty to SOL-SUHOZA and OGANE. 

• Open trenching at water crossings: This method involves the construction of two 

temporary buffer dams in the river / canal that is to be crossed, on either side of the 

pipeline route, to expose the river bed. A trench is then dug in the river bed, the pipeline 

installed and the trench backfilled. The buffers are then removed to restore the flow of 

water. Problems associated with this construction method include the temporary 

disturbance of the water flow and any activities that take place in or on the river / canal. 

This method was considered for the crossings of the Tout Lui Faut and Saramacca 

Canals for the terrestrial pipeline alignment. That alignment has been screened out and 

the pipeline will be laid underneath water courses using HDD, which will not disturb the 

water courses. 

• Pipe rack: This method involves the installation of poles, or racks, of the desired height 

along the pipeline route. The pipeline is then laid across those poles. Problems associated 

with this construction method are the high visibility of the pipeline as well as its exposure 

and hence vulnerability to interference from third parties. 

Pipe rack will only be used for short sections (approximately 20 m) to facilitate the 

connection of the pipelines to the equipment at SOL and OGANE. 

• HDD: This method involves the drilling of a horizontal path up to 30 m below ground level, 

depending on the HDD section and ground conditions, into which the pipeline is inserted. 

Impacts on surface areas are limited to the entry / exit points of the pipeline. Problems 

associated with this construction method are the requirement for high-tech equipment and 

an experienced team that can install the borehole at the correct depth and alignment. If 

executed correctly, HDD eliminates many of the problems associated with trenching or 

pipe racks. HDD will be the main method of constructing the pipeline. 

3.4.3 Transportation alternatives 

At the early planning stages of the Refinery Expansion Project, alternative options to convey 

the product from the refinery to retail storage depots were considered at a strategic level. 

These included the use of pipelines, trucks or barges. Pipelines were identified as the 

preferred option based on the considerations listed in Table 3-3 below. 

Table 3-3: Comparison of pipelines versus alternative means of transport 

Aspect Pipelines Barges and / or trucks 

Period of 

use 

Operating 

costs 

Typically used if supply is required 

continuously / over long periods of time 

Typically used if supply is only required 

for short periods of time 

Relatively low Relatively high due to requirements to 

maintain and operate vehicle / barge fleet 

Management Low management requirements once 

installed 

Risk Relatively low risk of accidents and spills, 

especially for underground pipelines 

Other 

impacts 

Flexibility of 

use 

Low impacts on air quality, surface areas 

and adjacent land uses, especially for 

underground pipelines laid by HDD 

Very flexible, product can be conveyed at 

any time 

Reliability Very reliable, independent of other factors 

such as weather or traffic 

High management requirements due to 

fleet and personnel management 

Relatively high risk of truck or barge 

collisions resulting in injury and/or spills 

Higher impacts on e.g. air quality due to 

exhaust fumes, traffic due to additional 

vehicles / barges etc 

Less flexible, working hours and 

personnel restrictions apply 

Adverse conditions on the river (e.g. poor 

weather or currents) or road (e.g. road 

works or traffic congestion) can delay 

transport 


June 2012


4 Description of the affected environment 

The area in which the pipeline corridor is located has been developed for over 300 years. Oilrelated 

activities have taken place at the Staatsolie refinery site since 1988, and the current 

refinery came into operation in 1997. The corridor is situated in a peri-urban and industrial 

area. 

Although project activities will be largely restricted to drill pads and a narrow strip along the 

assembly and launching areas, a wider area has been described to present the pipeline 

corridor in context. The study area has been defined by the natural and man-made boundaries 

around the pipeline corridor, comprising largely the Suriname River to the east, Sir Winston 

Churchill Road to the west, the Tout Lui Faut canal to the south and the Jules Wijdenbosch 

bridge to the north. The study area is shown in Figure 4-1. 

Figure 4-1: The study area (dark grey) and its surroundings 

Source: Dirk Noordam 

4.1 Biophysical environment 

4.1.1 Climate and air quality 

Suriname has a typical tropical climate with high rainfall and high temperatures. Most rainfall 

in the region falls in two rainy seasons, interspersed with two ‘dry’ seasons as follows 

(Webster & Roebuck, 2001): 


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• Short rainy season – early December until early February; 

• Short dry season – early February until mid-April; 

• Long rainy season – mid-April until mid-August; and 

• Long dry season – mid-August until early December. 

Average monthly rainfall varies from more than 300 mm in the long rainy season to around 

100 mm in the long dry season. Rainfall intensity is greatest in the long rainy season, when 

intensities of up to 70 mm/hour are recorded over short periods of up to 15 minutes. Greater 

intensities have been reported but with longer return periods. 

The monthly average rainfall recorded in 2006 and 2007 at the Johan Adolf Pengel 

International Airport meteorological station, located at Zanderij about 35km south of the 

refinery site, is presented in Table 4-1 below. 

Table 4-1: Mean monthly rainfall for Zanderij in 2006 and 2007 

Average rainfall 

(mm) 

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

509 205 281 203 552 615 

Source: Airshed Planning Professionals (2009) 


- 

285 161 160 258 496 

Temperatures generally vary between 23ºC and 31ºC with a mean daily temperature of 

approximately 27ºC (Webster & Roebuck, 2001). January is the coldest and September the 

warmest months. Monthly average, maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in 2006 

and 2007 at Zanderij are shown in Table 4-2 below. 

Table 4-2: Temperatures for Zanderij in 2006 and 2007 

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

Maximum 31.8 32.2 33 31.3 33 32.7 32.5 33.7 34.4 35 33.9 32.6 

Minimum 21.2 18.8 19.8 21.9 21.8 22 22.4 21.2 14.1 22 20.9 21.2 

Mean 25.5 25.6 25.9 26 25.9 25.7 25.5 26.7 26.9 27.3 26.4 25.6 

Source: Airshed Planning Professionals (2009). 

Humidity is generally high throughout the year, varying between 80% and 90% on the Coastal 

Plain and 75% in the Interior (Alcoa & CNEC, 2005). The highest humidity values are recorded 

from May to July and the lowest from September to November. Monthly average relative 

humidity recorded at Zanderij between January 2006 and December 2007 varied slightly 

between 82% and 88%. 

Suriname does not experience hurricanes like the rest of the Caribbean region, but powerful 

winds do blow during strong storms. Wind data for 2006 and 2007 measured at Zanderij 

shows that northerly, north-easterly and easterly winds dominated during this period, with a 

high occurrence of calm conditions (50.2%). 

The dominant wind direction during the day is easterly, with north-easterly winds dominating at 

night. Calm conditions are more frequent at night (54.2%) than during the day (46.2%). 

Seasonal wind patterns show an increase in the occurrence of high wind speeds in the 

months March – May, and to a lesser extent in the months December – February. In the 

months June – August, there was an increase in calm conditions and south-easterly winds. 

There are a number of sources of gaseous emissions in the study area. These include the 

existing Staatsolie refinery, the SPCS power plant on the Staatsolie refinery site, the SOL, 

OGANE and Suritex facilities along the Suriname River as well as the various other industrial 

enterprises in the area, such as the ice factory, fish factory, cement factory etc. 

June 2012


Although a comprehensive inventory of air quality and emissions in the study area is not 

available, pollutants emitted by the existing refinery and the SPCS power plant were estimated 

as part of the Staatsolie Refinery Expansion EIA (SRK, 2010) and are provided in Table 4-3. 

Table 4-3: Calculated emission rates for the existing refinery and the SPCS power plant 

Pollutant Emission rate (tonne per annum)* 

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 656 

Oxides of nitrogen (NOX) 197 

Particulate matter (PM10) 41.1 

Carbon monoxide (CO) 33.8 

VOC 219 

Benzene 0.29 

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) 2.2 

*Assuming continuous operation of the 14MW power plant. 

Source: Airshed Planning Professionals (2009) 

Estimated concentrations did not constitute any exceedances of relevant international 

standards. The inference is that air quality in the vicinity of the refinery at the southern extent 

of the study area is acceptable and not likely to impair human health. 

4.1.2 Geology and geomorphology 

6 7 

4.1.2.1 Geology 

Most of Suriname forms part of the Precambrian Guiana Shield, the deeply weathered, 

rainforest-covered area stretching from the Amazon River in Brazil to the Orinoco River in 

Venezuela. It is referred to as a ‘shield’ area because it is rigid and geologically stable. The 

crystalline basement of this shield was formed during the Trans-Amazonian Orogenic Cycle 

from around 2 000 to 1 800 million years ago. It predominantly consists of igneous and 

metamorphic rocks. 

Deposition of sediments to the north of the Guiana Shield, forming Suriname’s coastal plain, 

started with the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. The oldest sediments date from the Late 

Cretaceous and the youngest from the Holocene. The sediments are known as the Corantijn 

Group. This Group consists of a monoclinal 8 northern dipping (±1⁰) section of predominantly 

clastic 9 sediments. Figure 4-2 shows a south-north section of the coastal plain near 

Paramaribo with the stratigraphy and the landscapes. 

Only part of the sediments in northern Suriname crop out; these were deposited during three 

distinct periods: 

• Late Tertiary (Pliocene): Zanderij Formation; 

• Mid-Late Pleistocene: Coropina Formation; and 

• Holocene: Mara and Coronie Formations (Mara Formation not indicated in Figure 4-2). 

6 The information in this section was provided by Dirk Noordam for this EIA. 

7 The geological description is completely based on existing sources. The sources used are the compilations made 

by Bosma et al. (1984) and Wong et al. (1998), as well as the 1:500,000 Geological Map (Bosma et al. 1977). For 

the description of geohydrology, use has been made of the compilation by Groen (1998). 

8 A monocline is a step-like fold in rock strata consisting of a zone of steeper dip within an otherwise horizontal or 

gently-dipping sequence. 

9 Composed of fragments of pre-existing rock that have been transported some distance from their points of origin 


June 2012


The study area is wholly located on Holocene sediments of the Coronie Formation. 

Figure 4-2: Geological cross section through northern Suriname 

Source: adapted from Wong et al. (1998). 

Figure 4-3 indicates that floodplains and natural levee deposits dominate in the study area. 

These are mostly silty clays (unit 1), deposited during the Wanica period. The area north of 

the Saramacca Canal comprises of sand and shell beach-ridge and offshore bar deposits from 

the Wanica period (unit 6), known as ‘ridges’ in Suriname. The ridges have been deposited on 

top of clay and are embedded in clay to the north and the south. 

Areas to the west of the study area have been deposited by the sea during the Wanica period 

(6 000-3 000 years ago; Brinkman & Pons, 1968) and comprise clay flats (unit 5) and sandy 

ridges (unit 6). 

The bottom sediments of the Suriname River in the vicinity of the study area originate 

predominantly from coastal processes. Marine sediments enter the estuary with the high tide 

and some of these are deposited in the river channel and river mud banks. Sediments are 

transported both as suspended load and ‘sling mud’ under the influence of gravitational and 

shear forces (Lievense 2007). The mud banks in the river are predominantly subtidal, although 

narrow intertidal mud banks occur along the river banks. 

In the study area, bottom sediment of the Suriname River is dominated by clay and silt, with 

very little sand. Sediment is consolidated, while further downstream it comprises 'sling mud' 

(Paramaribo) to fluid mud (in the river mouth) (NEDECO 1968). 


June 2012


Figure 4-3: Geology of the study area and surroundings 

Source: 1:500 000 Geological Map of Suriname by Bosma et al, 1977 10 

Note: The red dots denote the approximately end points of the pipeline corridor. 

Legend 

Holocene 

QUATERNARY 

1 Alluvial clay – Coronie Formation 

3 Bluish clay – Comowine and Moleson members of the 

Coronie Formation 

4 Sand and shells - Comowine and Moleson members of 

the Coronie Formation 

5 Bluish grey clay – Wanica member of the Coronie 

Formation 

6 Sand with some shells – Wanica member of the Coronie 

Formation 

7 Grey clay and peat – Mara Formation 

Pleistocene 

9 Sand and clayey sand – Lelydorp member of the 

Coropina Formation 

--- Depth contour of the Precambrian basement rock 

10 Due to the reconnaissance character the map is rather crude and does not precisely show the location of mapping units; a somewhat different boundary between the units 1 and 6 was 

found in the current study as described below for the soil conditions. 



The sediment load of the Suriname River from terrestrial runoff used to be relatively low at an 

estimated 250 000 tons per year (NEDECO 1968). It has further decreased since the construction of 

the Afobaka Dam in 1964, which created the Brokopondo Reservoir (officially known as the Prof. Dr. 

Ir. W.J. van Blommesteinmeer) and traps most of the upriver sediments. The current supply of 

terrestrial sediment to the estuary consists mostly of fine sediments transported as suspended load. 

Sand is found upriver of the study area, south of Paranam, where it occurs as sand banks. All river 

sediments in the area are of Holocene age. 

The record of a drinking water well at Peperpot (in Meerzorg, opposite the Staatsolie refinery) shows 

a 33 m thick clay layer, overlying alternating layers of coarse sand and clay. The clay in the upper 

33 m ranges between soft and firm, with the firm material located at a depth of between 12 and 21 m 

(SWM, unpublished data). Figure 4-4 shows an example of a half ripe (in between soft and firm) clay 

of the upper 1-2 m of the river bottom in front of the refinery. 

Figure 4-4: Suriname River clay bottom sediment taken nearshore at the Staatsolie refinery 

Source: Dirk Noordam (2012) 

4.1.2.2 Geomorphology 

Four major geographical zones can be distinguished in Suriname, shown in Figure 4-5: 

1. The Holocene Young Coastal Plain formed on sandy and clayey marine deposits. This plain is 

flat to nearly flat and very low-lying. It is characterized by extensive wetlands; 

2. The Pleistocene Old Coastal Plain, like the Young Coastal Plain, formed on sandy and clayey 

marine deposits. This plain is low-lying and flat to very gently undulating. The plain is alternating 

with deep swamps of the Early Holocene Mara Formation; 

3. The Zanderij or Savanna Belt formed on Late Tertiary braided river deposits. This belt forms an 

undulating to rolling lowland plateau, which is characterized by localized patches of savanna; 

and 

4. The Precambrian Guiana Shield area, commonly also known as the Interior. 



Figure 4-5: Four major physiographic regions of Northern Suriname 

The study area is indicated by the black dot. The ridges of the Young Coastal Plain are indicated with ‘r’. 

The pipeline corridor is located in the Young Coastal Plain (units 1 and (1) r), in a section referred to 

as the ‘River landscape’. Elevation is up to 2.5 m above NSP 11 , with ridges rising some 1-3 m above 

the surrounding clay flats. The area is characterised by the deposition of predominantly fine (silty to 

fine sandy clay) marine sediments, fresh to brackish conditions and tidal influence. Most of the 

pipeline corridor has elevations between 0.8 and 1.5 m above NSP. 

Drainage of the River landscape is relatively good, due to the proximity of the river. Under natural 

conditions, the levees are inundated during high (spring) tide and the backswamps have a shallow 

inundation during part of the rainy season and after springtide at high river levels. In the study area, 

most of the land is now protected by low dams along the river and flooding does not occur any 

longer. 

The area north of the Saramacca Canal belongs to the Kwatta landscape, which is characterized by 

alternating sandy ridges and depressions filled with clay. However, the area has been severely 

disturbed by cut and fill intended to level the land, and the original landscape cannot be 

distinguished anymore. The current area is almost flat. The ground level in this part of the pipeline 

corridor is 1.9 - 2.1 m above NSP. Considerable earth moving activities still take place in this section. 

11 NSP: Normaal Surinaams Peil, the national reference datum, which is defined as the mean sea level in the mouth of the 

Suriname River in the year 1956. 



4.1.3 Soils, land capability and land use 

4.1.3.1 Soils 12 

The soil types for parts of the study area are shown in Figure 4-6. No soil information is available for 

the northern section of the study area, but previous sample drilling showed that the clay soils of the 

River landscape continue for some 100 to 150 m north of the Saramacca Canal (at the Bruynzeel 

site). Past this point, the soils have a more sandy character, which continues to the northern end of 

the pipeline route. Soil sampling in the area has been consistent with the soil characteristics 

indicated in Figure 4-6. 

Most drill pads for the pipeline will belocated on the low river levees along the Suriname River (unit 

Rk). An exception is the most northern location (near Suritex), where sandy soils occur. It is to be 

expected that the soils of most, if not all, drill pads have been disturbed in the past. 

At many locations, land has been filled to make it suitable for building or commercial use. Sand of 

the nearby ridges (unit Kr) is normally used for this purpose. At some locations it was observed that 

land was filled with other materials, such as wood ashes at Bruynzeel. 

Figure 4-6: Soil map of the study area 

Source: after Windmeijer & Bliek (1987) 

Legend 

River Landscape 

Levees and backswamps 

Rk Very poorly drained (natural position) to 

imperfectly drained (reclaimed land) ripe 

to half ripe silty clay 

Kwatta landscape 

Ridges 

Kr Moderately well drained and imperfectly 

drained loamy very fine sand and very fine 

sand 

Clayflats; inter-ridge depressions 

Kz Imperfectly drained, ripe (fine sandy) clay 

over very fine sand to very fine sandy 

loam, and poorly drained, ripe to nearly 

ripe (fine sandy) clay 

Note: Pipeline alignment is shown as a dashed line, drill pads are shown as black squares 

The main characteristics of the two soil types found in the study area are provided in Table 4-4. 

12 The soil study undertaken for the EIA is predominantly based on information from existing sources. Relevant with respect 

to this are the reconnaissance soil map of North Suriname (DBK 1977) and a report on the local soil conditions 

(Windmeijer & Bliek 1987). Additional information was gathered during the field sampling for the ESA. 



Table 4-4: Characteristics of soils in the study area 

Characteristic Clay soils Sandy soils 

Composition Silty clay soils with over 50% clay 

particles (20-25 meq/100g) Relatively low (< 10 meq/100g) 

4.1.3.2 Land capability 14 

The agricultural suitability of the soils in the study area (see Figure 4-6) has been assessed for 

annual and perennial crops and for livestock breeding. The results are presented in Table 4-5. 

Suitability is divided into the following categories: 

• Not suitable – land will not provide sufficient yields to make farming viable; 

• Marginally suitable – land requires high inputs and provides moderate yields, resulting in low 

farm incomes and a higher risk of failure; 

• Moderately suitable – land requires lower inputs and provides higher yields, resulting in higher 

farm income and a lower risk of failure; and 

• Suitable – land provides the best farming results. 

Table 4-5: Suitability classification of the soils of the study area 

Soil unit Annual crops Perennial crops Animal husbandry 

Kr Marginally suitable Marginally suitable Suitable 

Kz – with beds 15 Marginally suitable Moderately suitable Moderately suitable 

Kz – no beds Not suitable Not suitable Marginally suitable 

Rk – with beds Marginally suitable Moderately suitable Moderately suitable 

Rk – no beds Not suitable Not suitable Marginally suitable 

Ridge soils (unit Kr) are suitable for animal husbandry, but only marginally suitability for crop 

cultivation due to the small plot size, low soil fertility and inadequate soil drainage. Most of the ridge 

soils are already in use for housing or industry, as they are slightly elevated. 

13 Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface. 

14 The assessment of land capability and soil potential for agriculture and forestry was carried out using the land evaluation 

system developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 1976). The Werkgroep Landevaluatie (1975a and b) 

developed a customized classification system for Suriname. 

15 System with cambered beds and trenches to provide drainage 



Clay soils (units Kz and Rk) with beds are only marginally suitable for annual crops, as 

mechanization would be difficult. These soils are moderately suitable for perennial crops and animal 

husbandry as long as only limited mechanization is required. 

Clay soils (Kz and Rk) without beds are not suitable for crop cultivation because of the poor soil 

drainage. These soils are marginally suitable for animal husbandry. 

The pipeline corridor is predominantly on Rk soils without beds (no active drainage system present), 

while a small part falls within Rk soils with beds. In its current state, the land without beds is only 

marginally suitable for livestock grazing. With construction of beds, the land can be made marginally 

to moderately suitable for cropping. Given the very limited and extensive agricultural activities in the 

area, demand for agricultural land on such clay soils appears to be low. 

4.1.3.3 Land use 16 

The development of the wider area started when plantations were developed along the Suriname 

River. The names of Beekhuizen, Livorno, Dijkveld and Tout Lui Faut all refer to former plantations 

(see Figure 4-7). However, old maps (Zimmerman 1877, Boumeester 1907) indicate that the study 

area, located within the plantations Dijkveld, Livorno and Beekhuizen, was part of the foreland (land 

not protected by a dam or dike) that was not immediately developed during the plantation era. 

However some occupation in the area is indicated on the map of Zimmerman (1877). Agricultural 

development of the foreland probably started in the 1920s or 1930s, when small-scale wetland rice 

cultivation expanded in Suriname. 

SURITEX 

Figure 4-7: Historical plantations in the area 

Source: Bakhuis & De Quant (1930) 

The topographical map of 1962 (CBL 1962) shows that the majority of the foreland clays of the 

plantations Dijkveld, Livorno and Beekhuizen had been transformed into small paddies for rice 

production. The ridges were used for housing and small-scale dryland cropping. 

16 The description of landuse and ecosystems has been elaborated using aerial photographs (Lufthansa 2000, GLIS 2005) 

and satellite imagery (Google 2009/2010). The obtained data has been checked by ground-truthing. 



The Saramacca Doorsteek was dug in the 1950s to provide a shorter and straighter connection 

between the Saramacca Canal and the Suriname River. Along the Doorsteek, several light industries 

and businesses were established, amongst them the Bruynzeel Timber Company Suriname. 

During the 1960s and 70s, agricultural cropping activities in the (then) rural part of the study area 

were gradually abandoned and partly replaced by extensive livestock grazing. Over the years many 

companies have been gradually established in the region, taking advantage of the proximity to 

Paramaribo and good access via roads and river. Residential areas have developed along canals 

and roads. 

Figure 4-8 presents an overview of the current land uses in the study area. 

Figure 4-8: Land use and vegetation of the study area 

Note: Pipeline alignment is shown as a dashed line, drill pads are shown as black squares 

The northern section of the study area now contains a significant number of light industries, 

workshops and warehouses as well as residential areas along the main roads. Most companies 

located along the Suriname River have jetties for loading and unloading. Industrial plots include 

considerable plots of vacant land. 

The southern portion of the study area is characterized by peri-urban areas, with ribbon housing 

developments along roads and some small industry and other enterprises. Most companies located 

along the river have a jetty or quay. Large tracts of vacant land abut the river, some of which are 

used for extensive cattle-grazing. A low marsh forest has established on long-abandoned land, while 



other areas are covered by lower growth ranging from grasses, sedges and herbs to shrubs and 

bushes. 

4.1.4 Noise 

Project activities will mostly occur in areas with existing industrial use. 

Although detailed data are not available, noise levels in the area are likely to comprise an amalgam 

of noise levels typical of industrial, commercial, residential and rural residential areas. Average 

ambient noise levels were measured in the vicinity of the refinery in early 2009 for the Staatsolie 

Refinery Expansion EIA, in each of the three main land use types. Results are provided in Table 4-6 

(SRK, 2010). The ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the refinery site are characterised by noise 

generated by the existing refinery, traffic, other industrial establishments in the area, general 

household noise, etc. The relevant IFC guideline noise levels are also indicated in Table 4-6, and 

actual noise levels fall within these. 

Table 4-6: Ambient noise levels around the refinery (in early 2009) and IFC guideline levels 

Ambient noise level (dBA) IFC guideline level (dBA) 

Land use / receptor type Day time Night time Day time Night time 

Residential 44.9 41.7 55 45 

Commercial 50.1 45.8 70 70 

Industrial 48.2 44.7 70 70 

Source: SRK (2010) 

Note: Noise levels in Table 4-6 do not include noise generated by the SPCS power plant. When operational, the 

power plant increases ambient noise levels by 4.0-5.8 dBA in the vicinity of the refinery. 

Noise levels in other parts of the study areas, north of the refinery, will vary depending on the land 

use in the specific area. On vacant plots, noise will be dominated by more natural sounds of birds 

and frogs, while noise levels in residential areas and industrial areas might be comparable to those 

measured at the refinery. 

4.1.5 Water resources 

4.1.5.1 Surface water 

The Suriname River is approximately 480 km long and flows in a generally south to north direction 

(south-east to north-west in the vicinity of the refinery site). The study area is located approximately 

50 km upstream of the river mouth 17 on the river’s western bank, just upstream of the Jules 

Wijdenbosch bridge. The river width in this section varies between 920 m at the bridge and just over 

1.5 km at the Staatsolie refinery. 

The flow regime and water volume of the lower Suriname River were altered by the construction of 

the Afobaka Dam. Although little data is available, the regulation of flow from the dam reduces high 

volume discharges and, combined with semi-diurnal tidal influences, affects the hydrology of the 

lower Suriname River. The tidal effect, especially during the long dry season, can reach 164 km 

upstream. 

The river’s mean discharge at its mouth was estimated at 440 m 3 /s in 1993, with a range between 

220 m 3 /s and 1 800 m 3 /s in the dry and wet season, respectively (Amatali in SRK, 2008). Currents in 

the river vary considerably, depending on tidal influences and discharges from the Afobaka Dam. In 

the vicinity of the study area, a maximum velocity of 1.5 m/s has been reported (SRK, 2008). 

17 Km 0 is designated as the mouth of the Suriname River at the 15 m low-tide depth contour, after WLA, 1983 in Mol, 2009. 



While the rivers in Suriname’s Interior are usually oligotrophic (nutrient poor) with low amounts of 

dissolved and suspended solids, the intrusion of sea water into the lower reaches of rivers 

introduces higher salinity and loads of suspended solids from the river estuaries. As such, pH, 

turbidity and nutrient levels are generally higher in the lower river sections. Table 4-7 lists the 

general physico-chemical parameters typical for rivers in the Young Coastal Plain, into which the 

study area falls. 

Table 4-7: Physico-chemical characteristics of rivers in the Young Coastal Plain 

Aspect Value Aspect Value 

pH Medium (6.1-7.5) Nutrients Low to medium 

Humic acids Very low Salinity Low to brackish 

Conductivity Low to high Oxygen Medium (49-84% saturation) 

Hardness Low to medium Turbidity Medium to high 

Source: Haripersad-Makhanlal & Ouboter (1993) 

During the rainy seasons, when the freshwater discharge is highest, the sea water intrusion is 

lowest, while seawater intrudes further up the river during the dry seasons. Salt water in the 

Suriname River intrudes up to Domburg (some 10 km upstream of the Staatsolie refinery) during the 

dry season, while intrusion during the rainy season does not go beyond the Saramacca Canal. 

Previous water and sediment sampling in the Suriname River indicated bacterial contamination of 

the Suriname River through high concentrations of total coliforms at the Staatsolie refinery 

(Consortium, 2001; Rex, 2009). Although bacterial contamination is lower in the Suriname River than 

the Paramaribo drainage channels, it is thought to pose a threat to health when the water is 

contacted during swimming or flooding. 

Concentrations of heavy metals in the Suriname River were generally low, with the exception of 

arsenic, lead, aluminum and copper near the mouth of the river and in the vicinity of Paramaribo, 

probably as a result of the higher density of commercial and industrial premises. The river’s 

sediments are naturally abundant in iron, aluminum, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium 

and are potentially acid generating if exposed to oxygen. For the purposes of this assessment, the 

sediments are considered to be non-hazardous. The Suriname River has occasionally shown 

elevated levels of mercury. 

A number of tributaries to the Suriname River are located in or near the study area: 

• The small Para River discharges into the Suriname River about 3 km upstream of the Staatsolie 

refinery; 

• The Tout Lui Faut Canal discharges into the Suriname River at the north-western boundary of 

the refinery. The canal is an open canal approximately 10 km long that discharges effluent / 

storm water into the Suriname River. A sluice gate controls the water level in the canal; and 

• The Saramacca Canal is located at the northern end of the study area and connects the 

Suriname River to the Saramacca River. It drains most of Paramaribo south and large peri-urban 

areas to the west and south-west of Paramaribo. Sluice gates control the water level in the 

canal. 

The study area is drained by a system of trenches, ditches and canals, which eventually empty into 

the Suriname River. The study area can be divided into three drainage units (Consortium 1999) (see 

Figure 4-9): 

• Beekhuizen drainage area in the northern section of the pipeline corridor. The area covers in 

total 95 ha and has 1.2 km of main drainage canals, of which 0.44 km are underground; 



• Livorno drainage area in the central 2 km long section of the pipeline corridor. The area covers 

in total 610 ha and has 8 km of main drainage canals along the Winston Churchill Road, the 

Pandit Tewarieweg and the Livornoweg; and 

• Tout Lui Faut drainage area in the southern section of the pipeline corridor. The area covers in 

total 4 481 ha and has 21 km of main drainage canals. 

Figure 4-9: Drainage areas in the study area 

Note: Pipeline alignment is shown as a dashed line, drill pads are shown as black squares. 

Discharge standards for effluent do not exist in Suriname, and most industries discharge their water 

without any treatment. In addition, illegal household and industrial waste dumps may be present in 

all areas, although none were observed during field surveys. Household sewage may be 

contaminated by chemicals flushed through drains. Water quality is thus related to the density of 

residences and industries, with more contamination in the more densely occupied northern areas of 

the pipeline corridor. 

The Saramacca Canal is considered to be the most polluted open water in the area, as it receives 

drainage water and effluent from extensive residential areas and many industries in the area. The 

Tout Lui Faut Canal is far less polluted, because it drains a predominantly rural area with a low 

population density and relatively little agriculture. 

Water quality data collected by previous studies in the study area in 1999 and 2000 18 indicate that 

(Consortium 2001): 

• Oxygen levels are low to very low in most primary and secondary canals in Greater Paramaribo; 

18 Sampling locations are indicated in Figure 4-9, with their original code. 



• All sampled drainage canals in Greater Paramaribo have high to very high concentrations of 

coliforms, indicating bacterial contamination, most likely from septic systems. Coliform 

concentrations decrease further away from the source due to dilution and bacterial breakdown. 

The same trend is observed for organic matter, Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen 

Demand, total nitrogen, ammonium and chlorophyll-a; 

• The level of coliforms may pose a threat to health when water contact occurs during swimming 

or flooding; and 

• Concentrations of heavy metals, particularly mercury, lead, cadmium and zinc, are relatively high 

at many locations in the Paramaribo drainage system. These are thought to be caused by 

industry, waste dumping, discarded batteries and car wrecks. 

Specific water quality problems identified for the drainage areas within the study area are described 

in Table 4-8. 

Table 4-8: Water quality problems identified in the study area 

Area Identified water quality problems 

Beekhuizen • Low oxygen level and elevated nutrient levels 

• High concentration of heavy metals in the bottom sediment, (especially mercury, zinc and 

copper, with moderate levels of lead), possibly related to the former Bruynzeel wood 

processing industry and/or the dumping of wood ashes at open areas of the Bruynzeel site 

• Expected high level of coliforms, given the generally high to very high concentrations of 

coliforms in Paramaribo 

Livorno • Very low oxygen level 

• Oil observed in the water during three of four sampling rounds 

• High concentrations of coliforms 

Tout Lui Faut • Low oxygen level 

Saramacca 

Canal 

4.1.5.2 Groundwater 

• No visible contamination reported 

• Expected high level of coliforms, given the generally high to very high concentrations of 

coliforms in Paramaribo 

• High disturbance of canal by human activities 

• Elevated nutrient levels 

• High concentrations of coliforms in the water 

• Elevated heavy metal concentrations (particularly mercury, lead and zinc) in water and 

bottom sediment 

The study area is underlain by three major aquifers within the Corantijn Group (see Figure 4-10): 

• The A-sand aquifer (in the Burnside Formation) contains freshwater in many locations, including 

Paramaribo and the pipeline area. It is found here at approximate depths between 120 and 

160 m. The aquifer thickness varies from 10-60 m. The A-Sand aquifer is not directly recharged 

by rainwater, and it is suspected that upward leakage of groundwater from the older, underlying 

formation is likely; 

• The Coesewijne aquifer contains freshwater in many locations of the coastal plain, including 

Paramaribo and the pipeline area. The top of the aquifer is found at a depth of 70 m at 

Paramaribo and slightly less deep in the pipeline area. The Coesewijne sands are in hydraulic 

contact with the overlying Zanderij Formation, with groundwater flow in the southern Young 

Coastal Plain (Helena Christina road – Lelydorp) and diffusion in the northern Young Coastal 

Plain; and 



• The Zanderij aquifer contains mostly brackish water in the Young Coastal Plain, including the 

pipeline area. The Formation crops out in the Savanna Belt and dips to the north. At Paramaribo 

it is found at depths of about 30-50 m. The Zanderij Formation is in hydraulic contact with the 

sandy deposits of the Coropina Formation (Lelydorp Deposits) south of Lelydorp. To the north 

and in the study area, the aquifer does not have hydraulic contact with surface deposits due to 

the heavy clay in overlying layers. 

Figure 4-10: Hydrogeological section Zanderij-Paramaribo 

Source: Groen (1998) 

Groundwater is abstracted from the Zanderij aquifer south of Paramaribo (e.g. at Lelydorp) and the 

Coesewijne and A-Sand aquifers in Paramaribo itself. Within the study area, groundwater is 

withdrawn from the A-sand aquifer at Livorno, west of the pipeline area (see point labelled ‘SWM’ on 

Figure 4-9. 

4.1.6 Ecology 19 

4.1.6.1 Terrestrial ecology 

Vacant land covers 25-30% of the study area, as depicted in Figure 4-8. However, the original 

vegetation of the study area was cleared hundreds of years ago when plantations were developed in 

the area. As a result of that and subsequent developments, as described in Section 4.1.3.3, vacant 

areas are now covered with vegetation ranging from low grass growth to marsh forest (which 

occupies some 13% of vacant land in the study area). 

Vegetation was surveyed in comparable areas south of the Staatsolie refinery in 2009. All plants 

observed in those areas were very common species for these vegetation types, and no vulnerable, 

rare or endangered plant species were recorded. It is anticipated that the same holds true for all 

areas downstream of the Staatsolie refinery and upstream up to Paranam. As such, no sensitive 

ecological areas are expected to occur in the study area. 

19 Information on wildlife has been gathered from existing sources and through interviews with local people. 



Very locally isolated spots of Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle/racemosa) and/or Brantimaka 

shrub (Machaerium lunatum) occur along the river, but vegetation is scarce due to development of 

jetties, harbours, industrial and trade facilities and houses. 

The natural wildlife of the study area has either disappeared or is significantly reduced in numbers 

due to the loss of habitat, hunting and capturing. Remaining wildlife will be concentrated in the 

vacant and vegetated parts of the study area. Only species that are commonly associated with 

human presence have been encountered: 

• Mammals: opossums, bats, monkeys, edentates, carnivores and rodents; 

• Birds: herons, black vultures, hawks, parrots and a variety of water and singing birds; 

• Reptiles and amphibians: snakes, lizards, caimans, turtles, frogs and toads; and 

• Fish: several swamp fish species. 

A species list presented by Hardy BBT (1991) for Het Vertrouwen, some 2 km south of the Staatsolie 

refinery, indicates that no vulnerable, rare or endangered species occur in the area. 

4.1.6.2 Aquatic ecology 

The construction of the Afobaka Dam in the Suriname River had a large impact on the water quality 

and fish fauna downstream and upstream of the dam (Mol et al and Panday-Verheuvel in SRK, 

2008). The lower Suriname River is a moderately to highly disturbed ecosystem that has been 

adversely affected by anthropogenic activities. The study area is located in the lower part of the 

freshwater reach of the river (where salinity isbelow 1‰), while the river becomes mesohaline (with 

salinity levels of 1-20‰) in the downstream sections (upper estuary). 

Fish sampling conducted for the Suriname River Dredging Project (SRDP) found 14 species of fish, 

dominated by snook (Centropomus sp), koebi (Plagioscion auratus) and kwasimama (Hypopthalmus 

edentatus), in the freshwater reach. The upper estuary of the river (in the vicinity of Paramaribo) 

yielded a have higher diversity (25 species), probably as result of the varying water conditions 

created by the convergence of the estuarine and freshwater reaches of the river. Phytoplankton 

diversity does not correlate with fish diversity and was found to be highest in the freshwater reach of 

the river (SRK, 2008). The sampling results are summarised in Table 4-9. 

Table 4-9: SRDP results of aquatic sampling in the Suriname River 

Upper Estuary Freshwater Reach 

Distance from river mouth (i.e. 15 m lowtide 

depth contour) 

40 – 55 km 55 – 90 km* 

Water salinity Mesohaline (1-20‰) Freshwater (


No fish species endemic to the Suriname River or to Suriname were recorded during the SRDP 

aquatic ecology baseline study, although several species that occur in the lower estuary are 

considered threatened by the IUCN Red List classification. 

The Coastal Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) is commonly observed in the Suriname River estuary and 

had occasionally been reported as far upriver as Domburg before the construction of the Afobaka 

Dam. However, the construction of the dam reduced the reach of the salt water intrusion in the long 

dry season, and it is now unlikely that the Coastal Dolphin will be present in the study area. 

The red-listed Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and West Indian Manatee (Trichechus 

manatus) are better known from the reaches upstream of the study area, although Manatees are 

occasionally reported from lower reaches and even the estuaries (Husson 1978). The West Indian 

Manatee is classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red list. However, the Manatee is only very rarely 

observed in the Suriname River near the study area, probably because of the frequent river traffic. 

Other aquatic or semi-aquatic species that may occur in the Suriname River include amphibians 

(frogs and toads) and reptiles such as caimans and turtles. Of these, the Yellow-spotted sideneck 

turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2008). 

Special, sensitive habitats in the river are also located upstream of the study area, e.g. the 

Cabomba/Mayaca vegetated mid-river sandbanks of the Suriname River upstream of Paranam that 

are spawning areas for some marine fishes such as anchovies (Engraulidae). No sensitive habitats 

have been identified in the Suriname River near the study area. 

4.2 Socio-economic environment 20 

4.2.1 Overview of Ressorten in the study area 

The Staatsolie refinery is located in Ressort Houttuin in the Wanica District of Suriname. The 

pipeline will run through three Ressorten: Houttuin in Wanica and Livorno and Beekhuizen in the 

Paramaribo District. All are located in on the left bank of the Suriname River; Houttuin lies to the 

south of Livorno and Beekhuizen (see Figure 4-11). 

District Wanica 

District 

Paramaribo 

Staatsolie Refinery 

District 

Wanica 

Figure 4-11: Districts Wanica (left) and Paramaribo (right) and their Ressorten 

Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname and the national service centre, where activities at a national 

and regional level are coordinated. Paramaribo has diverse social and cultural facilities and a 

relatively high diversity of educational institutions. As a result, the population of Paramaribo tends to 

20 The information contained in this section was provided by Henna Guicherit for this EIA. 

District 

Paramaribo 

Suritex 



have a higher educational level, which strengthens Paramaribo’s economic position relative to that of 

other districts. The district is seat of a large number of companies and services providers. 

Ressort Beekhuizen is the northernmost suburb along the pipeline route, situated between 

Jaggernath Lachmonstraat to the north and the Saramacca Canal to the south. This Ressort is 

situated immediately south of the Paramaribo centre and includes the local airport at Zorg en Hoop. 

Ressort Livorno is located south of Beekhuizen and the Saramacca Canal. It is a semi urban area 

with industries located to the east of Sir Winston Churchill Road, along the Suriname River and the 

Saramacca Canal. 

Wanica district is a commuter district: thousands of people travel from Wanica to Paramaribo on a 

daily basis. Due to its proximity to Paramaribo, the infrastructure in Wanica is often better than in 

most other districts in Suriname. Although Wanica is urbanizing at a rapid pace, the agricultural 

sector (including agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, cattle breeding, aquaculture and fish 

processing) is still the most important economic sector in Wanica. The district is the biggest supplier 

of vegetables and fruits in the country. However, large areas of farmland are currently being 

developed (Districts strategisch & ontwikkelingsplan Wanica 2008). 

Historically, Ressort Houttuin was a rural farming area where vegetables, fruits and livestock were 

farmed. Local commercial activity is increasing, especially near the refinery site, where several 

commercial and light industrial developments are taking place or planned. Many people still grow 

vegetables and fruit and keep livestock in their yards. A commercial farm near the refinery grows fruit 

(mostly West Indian cherry). 

The socio-economic characteristics of these areas are described in the sections below. Figure 4-13 

shows the location of various facilities and institutions within the study area (which comprises 

sections of the Ressorten Beekhuizen, Livorno and Houttuin). 

4.2.2 Socio-economic characteristics 

4.2.2.1 Population and households 

District Wanica had a population of 95 125 in 2010 (ABS 2011), with a density of 194 people per 

km 2 , the second highest population density after Paramaribo. Approximately 12 168 people (12.7% 

of the district population) lived in Ressort Houttuin in 2010 (CRO, 2010). The population density in 

Houttuin is 176 people per km². 

Approximately half of Suriname’s population lives in Paramaribo District, which had a population of 

265 953 in 2010 (ABS 2011), with a density of 1 324 people per km². The Ressorten Beekhuizen 

and Livorno had populations of 17 354 and 7 088 and densities of 3 297 people per km² and 

932 people per km², respectively (see Table 4-10). 

Table 4-10: Estimated 2010 populations 

District / Ressort Male Female Total 

Paramaribo 132 562 133 391 265 953 

Beekhuizen 8 550 8 804 17 354 

Livorno 3 624 3 464 7 088 

Wanica 48 654 46 471 95 125 

Houttuin 6 193 5 975 12 168 

Source: ABS (2011) (Districts), CRO (2010) (Ressorts) 

Between 1997 and 2007, the proportion of Suriname’s population living in Paramaribo declined from 

52.4% to 49.4%, while the proportion of the population living in Wanica District grew from 17.4% to 



19.1% (Structuuranalyse Districten 2003 – 2008. SPS, March 2010). Together, Paramaribo and 

Wanica accommodate the vast majority of the urbanised population in Suriname. 

Household structures appear to be more traditional in Houttuin, which has the largest households 

(approximately 5 persons live in each household on average) and the fewest women-headed 

households. Households are significantly smaller in Livorno and Beekhuizen, where women-headed 

households account for more than one-third of all households. The number of dwellings 

approximately equals the number of households in all thee Ressorten within the study area (see 

Table 4-11). 

Table 4-11: Households and dwellings 

Ressort Households 

Average persons 

per household 

Households headed by women 

Number % of total 

# of dwellings 

Beekhuizen 4 443 3.9 1 737 39% 4 380 

Livorno 2 060 3.4 682 33% 2 007 

Houttuin 2 493 4.9 462 19% 2 454 

A count undertaken for the study recorded approximately 480 households within the study area. 

Most households are located along Sir Winston Churchill Road. 

4.2.2.2 Religion and language 

The main religions in the study area are: 

• Beekhuizen: Christianity, followed by Hinduism and Islam; 

• Livorno: Christianity, followed by Hinduism and Islam; and 

• Houttuin: Hinduism, followed by Christianity and Islam. 

The most-spoken household languages in the various Ressorten are: 

• Beekhuizen: Dutch, followed by Sranantongo and Aucaans; 

• Livorno: Dutch, followed by Sarnami and Sranantongo 

• Houttuin: Sarnami, followed by Dutch and Sranantongo. 

4.2.2.3 Education 

The population in Beekhuizen has the highest level of education of the three Ressorten, as a slightly 

higher percentage of the population holds a university degree. The population in Houttuin has the 

lowest education level, as 36% of people have only primary education (see Table 4-12). 

Table 4-12: Education levels 

Ressort 

Number of people (15 years +) whose highest level of eduction is: 

Primary 

education 

% of 

Ressort 

population 

Lower Vocational & 

Other Junior 

Secondary 

education 

% of 

Ressort 

population University 

% of 

Ressort 

population 

Beekhuizen 4 829 24% 6 462 33% 782 4% 

Livorno 2 310 28% 2 712 33% 232 3% 

Houttuin 3 631 36% 3 224 32% 280 3% 

Beekhuizen, which is situated closest to the centre of Parmaribo, has the best school infrastructure. 

The area has 26 educational facilities, several of which provide higher education. Schools in Livorno 

and Houttuin provide mostly basic (primary) education (see Table 4-13). 



Table 4-13: School infrastructure 

School type Beekhuizen Livorno Houttuin 

Primary schools (GLO) 9 6 5 

Junior secondary school (MULO) 5 2 1 

Lower vocational school (LBGO) 2 1 1 

Lower technical school (LTS) 3 

Senior secondary general education (VOS) 6 

Private education (BO) 1 

School facilities 26 9 7 

4.2.2.4 Employment 

Beekhuizen has the largest economically active population, but also a higher unemployment rate. 

The most important occupations are predominantly unskilled. Houtuin has the lowest unemployment 

rate (see Table 4-14). 

Government is an important employer in the entire study area, and many people travel daily to their 

offices in Paramaribo. Staatsolie is also an important employer, particularly in Houttuin. About 

50 people residing in Ressort Houttuin, and the Dijkveld area in particular, work at the Staatsolie 

refinery (representing some 30% of refinery staff). 

Table 4-14: Employment characteristics 

Employment aspect Beekhuizen Livorno Houttuin 

Economically active population 6 878 2 960 3 584 

Unemployment rate 11% 11% 7% 

Most important occupations Elementary occupations 21 

(1 249) 

Service Workers and Shop 

and Market Sales 

Workers 22 (1 029) 

Craft and Related Trade 

Workers 23 (833) 

Elementary occupations 

(488) 

Craft and Related Trade 

Workers (450) 

Service Workers and Shop 

and Market Sales Workers 

(399) 

Not available 

A count undertaken for the study recorded approximately 70 businesses in the study area. 

Businesses are varied in nature and include small commercial enterprises such as shops as well as 

larger industrial manufacturers. 

About 16 to 20 local commercial fishermen (with 12 small boats) who fish in the Suriname River 

have their base near the sluice gate on the Tout Lui Faut Canal. 

4.2.2.5 Water and electricity 

Most households in the study area have access to electricity and piped water. Coverage of both 

services is nearly universal in Beekhuizen, the Ressort closest to Paramaribo centre. Houttuin has 

the least coverage within the study area - only 62% of households had access to piped water in 

2004. Many households, particularly in Houttuin, supplement their water supply by harvesting 

rainwater (ABS, 2004). 

21 Including elementary occupations in sales and services, farming, mining, construction, industry and transport. 

22 Including salespersons, providers of personnel services, security personnel. 

23 Including skilled personnel in mining and quarrying, building and construction, machinery mechanics, skilled metal workers, 

handicraft workers, precision workers etc. 



Table 4-15: Access to water and electricity 

Ressort 

4.2.2.6 Health 

Dwellings with piped water Dwellings with electricity 

Number % of total Number % of total 

Beekhuizen 4 267 97% 4 192 96% 

Livorno 1 807 90% 1 822 91% 

Houttuin 1 510 62% 2 190 89% 

Five (primary) medical facilities were counted in each the three Ressorten of the study area, which 

would indicate that Beekhuizen has fewer facilities per capita than Livorno and Houttuin. More 

sophisticated medical facilities are located closer to the centre of Paramaribo. 

Table 4-16: Health care facilities 

Health care facility Beekhuizen Livorno Houttuin 

Health centre 1 1 

Clinic (public / RGD) 1 1 

Clinic (private) 3 3 3 

Dentist 1 1 

Health facilities 5 5 5 

4.2.2.7 Government representation 

The local government is represented by a Ressort Commissioner (RC) in each Ressort. National 

government representation within the study area includes: 

• Beekhuizen: Local office of the Ministry of Regional Development; 

• Livorno: Local offices of the Ministries of Regional Development and Natural Resources; 

• Houttuin: Local offices of the Ministries of Regional Development, Social Affairs, Agriculture, 

Husbandry and Fishery, Home Affairs, Education and Transport, Communication 

and Tourism (Structuuranalyse Districten 2003 – 2008). 

4.2.2.8 Community Based Organisations 

A number of Community Based Organisations are active in the study area, including social / cultural, 

neighbourhood and sports organisations. Those organisations located in Livorno and Houttuin are 

listed in Table 4-17. A list for Beekhuizen is not currently available. 

Table 4-17: Community Based Organisations 

Organisation Chairperson 

Livorno 

Soc. Cult. Org. Ujala Mr. Sangham 

Soccer Club Kamal Dewaker Dr. Ramkhelawan 

Foundation Boto 

Houttuin 

Belangengroep Dijkveld Mr Posetiko 

Belangengroep Lachmisinghweg Mr Gajadien 

Stichting OTHEO Mr Gangadin 

Buurtvereniging ESON Mr Moerawi 

Sportorganisatie BKV Mr Joerawan 



4.2.3 Transport infrastructure 

4.2.3.1 Roads 

Thousands of commuters travel from Wanica to Paramaribo every day, in buses or private cars. 

Heavy traffic between these two districts concentrates on three main roads that run in a south – 

north direction. Two of these are located within the study area: Martin Luther King Road and Sir 

Winston Churchill Road both run through Houttuin and Livorno, where they converge and cross the 

Saramacca Canal to Beekhuizen at the bridge to the Van ‘t Hogerhuys Road. Both roads are 

surfaced and have one lane in each direction. The bridge over the Saramacca Canal at the Van ‘t 

Hogerhuys Road experiences daily traffic jams at peak hours. 

Traffic intensity is high on Martin Luther King Road and moderate on Sir Winston Churchill Road. 

Most vehicles are passenger vehicles, but Martin Luther King Road in particular also carries 

significant numbers of heavy vehicles, transporting materials such as sand, gravel and timberto 

Paramaribo. According to a 2007 traffic count of the Road Authority, approximately 40 000 vehicles 

crossed the bridge over the Saramacca Canal every day (see traffic count at the bridge in Figure 

4-12). As the number of vehicles on the road and traffic intensity has increased further over the last 

years, this number is now likely to be higher. 

Figure 4-12: Traffic count at the bridge over the Saramacca Canal in 2007 

All primary roads in the study area are sealed and include: 

• In Ressort Beekhuizen: 

o Van ‘t Hogerhuys Road from the bridge at the Saramacca Canal to the 

Zwartenhovenbrug Road in the centre of Paramaribo; 

• In Ressort Livorno: 

o Sir Winston Churchill Road; and 

o Martin Luther King Road; 

• In Ressort Houttuin: 

o Sir Winston Churchill Road; 

o Martin Luther King Road; and 

o Wilhelmina Road and Cassia Lane. 




pipelines underneath the river 

Figure 4-13: Location of various socio-economic facilities and institutions in the study area 



4.2.3.2 Waterways 

The Suriname River is the most important shipping route in Suriname for seagoing vessels, but also 

for inland shipping: 

• Most sea-going vessels head for the harbour in Paramaribo (just downstream / north of the study 

area), but vessels headed to Paranam and Smalkalden pass the study area; 

• The majority of fishing vessels is located to the north of the study area, but trawlers moor at 

Bethesda, close to one of the pipeline drill pads; 

• Barges transporting river sand, bauxite, gravel and timber pass the study area during their 

journey from the interior of Suriname and Paranam to Paramaribo and the sea; 

• Oil tankers use the jetties at SOL and Tout Lui Faut within the study area; and 

• Considerable numbers of smaller leisure boats and commercial fishing vessels use the 

Suriname River in the vicinity of the study area. Day trips on the river are becoming more 

popular. 

Only large vessels are monitored by the MAS, with an average of some 50 ocean-going vessels 

recorded per month between the Nieuwe Haven and Paranam. These are mostly bulk carriers, 

general cargo ships, tankers and trawlers. As traffic intensity on the Suriname River increases, 

safety is becoming an ever greater focus of attention. 

More than 10 jetties are located in this section of the river (see Figure 4-14). They are built on 

foundations in the river bed and most of them are frequently used. 

Fishing near the study area is limited to purse seine fisheries (local name: hari-tité) for Koebi along 

the right bank of the Suriname River, outside of the river channel. The mouth of the Tout Lui Faut 

Canal harbours a number of small fishing boats that operate on the river and in the river mouth. 

The Saramacca Canal connects the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers and is used for the transport 

of timber, sand and gravel and for recreation or tourist boat trips. 



Bananas dock 

Suritex 

(former Chevron) 

IJsfabriek 

C.E.V.I.H.A.S. 

Figure 4-14: Jetties between the Tout Lui Faut and Saramacca canals 

SOL 

SUJAFI 

Abandoned jetty 

(former N.V. Surinam) 

Marina Doerga 

Kuldipsingh 

Kuldipsingh 

Vensur (cement) 




4.3 Planning framework and emergency response 

4.3.1 Policies and plans at district and Ressort level 

A number of local government initiatives are planned or underway in the study area. Projects 

planned for 2012 by the District Council of Paramaribo for Livorno and Beekhuizen, concerning the 

installation, improvement and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities, are listed in Table 4-18. 

Table 4-18: Projects planned by the District Council of Paramaribo for 2012 

Ministry Projects Ressort 

Justice and Police Build new precinct and houses for officials Livorno 

Police surveillance Livorno 

More police control Beekhuizen 

Regional Development Market Zuid / West at W. Campagne St Beekhuizen 

Furnish room for Ressort Council Livorno 

Natural Resources Provide clean water for all households, improve water pressure Beekhuizen 

Labour, Technological 

Development, Environm. 

Social Affairs and 

Housing 

Education and 

Volksontwikkeling 

Lay water pipes at Vervuurtweg, Laleweg and Jiwahweg Livorno 

Improve power supply Beekhuizen 

Install lighting on streets and sport fields Beekhuizen 

Install lighting on streets and sport fields Livorno 

Address odour problem in the surroundings of Sir Winston 

Churchill Road caused by Espee and Surimix 

Install neighborhood office at Ramnairain Oemrawweg Livorno 

Address housing problem and support housing for all Livorno 

Construct a technical school, VOS and 2 VOJ Livorno 

Renovate Ramanandschool Livorno 

Public Works Improve garbage collection at Pandit Paltan Tewarieweg Livorno 

Transport, 

Communication, Tourism 

Maintain open and closed sewer system Livorno 

Maintain open and closed sewer system Beekhuizen 

Asphalt Begonia St, Aster St and Awara dam Beekhuizen 

Clean up illegal garbage dumps at Calcutta St, Hernhutter St, 

Bolletrie St, Schidtweg, Djoemoemweg, W.Campagne St, 

Tapoeripa St 

Rehabilitate parks and road sides at Bolletrie St, Henhutter St, 

Groenhart St, Bruinhart St 

Beekhuizen 

Beekhuizen 

Maintain culverts Saron/Abrabroki/ Wilhelminaweg/Calcutta St Beekhuizen 

Construct speed bumps near OS 2 Livorno, Hotel Tropical, 

Toekomstweg, Slagbalstr en Voetbalstr (school) 

Construct speed bumps and traffic signs at Pawan Singoredjo 

St, E.T.O. Corantijn St 

Maintain sand tracks / patching and dips at Saron, Abrabroki and 

Corantijnstraat 

Livorno 

Beekhuizen 

Beekhuizen 

Introduce new bus connections Toekomstweg - City Livorno 

Home Affairs Construct new civil registry office preferably in the 

neighbourhood of the RHS clinic at Ramnarain Oemrawweg 

Source: Districtsplan Paramaribo 2012 

Livorno 

The five year investment plan of district Wanica (2008 – 2012) includes the maintenance and 

rehabilitation of secondary and tertiary roads, drinking water supplies, waste collection and disposal 

and public markets. It envisages that all secondary roads will be paved with concrete blocks in the 

foreseeable future. Sand roads will be rehabilitated by adding sand and shell sand. The Suriname 



Water Company (Surinaamsche Waterleiding Maatschappij - SWM), responsible for drinking water 

supply in urban areas, aims to increase coverage in Wanica to 75% at the end of the planning 

period. 

4.3.2 Oil spill response 

The planned response to a major oil spill in Suriname is dealt with in two plans: 

• Oil Spill Contingency Plan, last updated in January 2008 and currently under review. It forms 

part of the new Suriname National Disaster Plan; and 

• National Oil Pollution Response and Cooperation (OPRC) Plan, originally drafted in 2004. A 

committee consisting of government and industry is finalizing the draft for adoption by 

parliament. 

The ATM, through MAS and NIMOS, is the government authority responsible for oil spill 

preparedness and response, which is coordinated by the National Disaster Coordinator in Suriname, 

through the following channels: 

• The Directorate of MAS, assisted by NIMOS, is responsible for the National Oil 

Spill Contingency Plan, drafted in accordance with OPRC 90 24 ; 

• The National Contingency (Disaster) Coordination Centre (NCCR) for Suriname is the national 

spill notification point and hosts the National Response Centre at the NCCR headquarters; 

• Each district is required to establish a counter-pollution organization as part of the National Oil 

Spill Contingency Plan and designate a district coordinator who is responsible for preparedness, 

response and co-operation with industry for counter-pollution measures at sea, in ports, on rivers 

and on land in the specific district, under the auspice of the National Coordinator; and 

• The response to an incident is entrusted to a National Oil Pollution Response Team (which deals 

with policy, international aspects and Tier 1 - 3 oil spills) and a District Oil Pollution Response 

Team (Tier 1 - 2 oil spills and counter pollution measures). Both teams have a staff of 

designated government representative and experts and could be expanded depending on the 

type of incident. 

24 The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC 90) is the 

international instrument that provides a framework designed to facilitate international co-operation and mutual assistance in 

preparing for and responding to major oil pollution incidents and requires States to plan and prepare by developing national 

systems for pollution response in their respective countries, and by maintaining adequate capacity and resources to address 

oil pollution emergencies. Suriname is not a contracting state to OPRC 90. 



5 Stakeholder engagement 

5.1 Objectives and approach 

The purpose of stakeholder engagement in an EIA process is to ensure that the views, interests and 

concerns of stakeholders are taken into account in the assessment of the potential impacts of the 

project as well as in project decisions, particularly in the design of mitigation measures. 

SRK will aim to: 

• Ensure timely dissemination of information that is understandable and accessible to all 

stakeholders; 

• Provide adequate opportunity for stakeholders to raise issues and concerns; and 

• Ensure that all issues and concerns raised by stakeholders are considered and appropriately 

responded to in the EIA documentation. 

The following general principles are being adhered to during public consultation as part of the EIA 

processes: 

• Consultation will be undertaken in good faith; 

• SRK will remain independent at all times and is neither a representative nor agent of local 

communities nor of Staatsolie; 

• Consultation must have a realistic timeframe and should not be an open-ended process and 

should take account of both community requirements and the needs of Staatsolie; and 

• The engagement process is not intended as a vehicle for negotiation between Staatsolie and 

local communities (especially in respect of any compensation demands). Consultation may lead 

to the identification of issues and management measures that warrant negotiation, but such 

negotiation is expected to occur in a different context and forum. 

5.2 Previous stakeholder engagement activities 

During the Screening and Scoping phases, Staatsolie undertook two rounds of stakeholder 

engagement with key stakeholders, notably adjacent landowners, to discuss the proposed terrestrial 

pipeline route alternative. These meetings occurred on 12 December 2010 and 6 January 2012. 

Staatsolie also consulted key stakeholders with regards to the alignment in the Suriname River: 

• Meetings with the MAS were held on 25 October 2011, 22 December 2011 and 6 January 2012, 

at which MAS did not raise any objections to the proposed alignment in the Suriname River; and 

• Meetings with the District Commissioners of Wanica, Paramaribo Noordoost and Paramaribo 

Zuidwest were held on 5 January 2012. All three DCs support the proposed alignment of the 

pipeline in the Suriname River. 

5.3 Impact Assessment Phase stakeholder engagement activities 

The following stakeholder engagement activities will be undertaken for the Impact Assessment 

phase: 

• Notification of stakeholders about the EIA process and an opportunity to provide comment on 

the Draft EIA Report and Draft Management Plans, through advertisements in at least the 

following newspapers: 

- De Ware Tijd; 



- Times of Suriname; 

- De West; and 

- Dagblad Suriname; 

• Release of an Executive Summary of the EIA Report, in Dutch and English, to the public; 

• Release of the EIA Report and Management Plans for public comment; 

• Stakeholder meeting to present the findings of the EIA, held in simple English with Dutch and 

Sranan Tongo translator present (see Section 8); 

• Meetings with key stakeholders to discuss the project; 

• Responses to comments and queries received on the EIA Report and Management Plans; and 

• Documentation of meeting proceedings and comments received. 



6 Assessment of environmental impacts 

6.1 Introduction 

The impacts 25 of a pipeline are mostly linked to the design and construction method of the pipeline, 

the sensitivity of the receiving environment along the alignment and the overall extent or footprint of 

the pipeline and associated facilities and operations, all of which are briefly discussed below. 

Design and construction method 

The design and construction method have been refined by Staatsolie with a view to minimise 

environmental impacts of the pipeline: 

• The alignment of the pipelines has been refined and adjusted based on environmental 

conditions and extensive talks with landowners; 

• The pipelines will be laid using HDD, which will place the pipelines up to 30 m underneath the 

river bed and only impact on limited surface areas at the entry/exit points of the pipeline. 

Goodland (2005) notes that “horizontal directional drilling can avoid damage to […] areas by 

drilling laterally as far as possible. Directional drilling technology is improving annually and 

needs to be fully exploited before contemplating entering any sensitive area.” He further 

emphases the need to “avoid trenching which is so damaging to aquatic life and fish 

reproduction.” Trenching in water courses will be avoided through the use of HDD in this project; 

• Locating the pipelines underground aims to minimise the risk of third party damage to the 

pipelines, e.g. through collisions or tampering with the pipelines; 

• Cathodic protection equipment will be installed on the pipelines to prevent corrosion. 

Sensitivity of the environment 

The environment that will be affected by the pipelines is not considered to be sensitive as: 

• The area has been developed for over 300 years; 

• Oil sector activities have taken place at the refinery site since 1988, and in 1997 the current 

refinery commenced operation; 

• The pipeline corridor is situated adjacent to peri-urban and industrial areas, and only plant and 

animal species that are commonly associated with human presence occur; 

• The Suriname River is highly impacted by human activities such as shipping, dredging, 

construction of the upstream Afobaka dam, construction of jetties on the river bank and release 

of stormwater and (treated) wastewater from greater Paramaribo and other inhabited areas 

located along both sides of the river; 

• The Suriname River is regularly flushed by tidal water. 

None of the criteria for ‘sensitive’ and ‘no-go’ areas for pipelines as identified by Goodland (2005) in 

Box 6-1 below apply to the area within which the Staatsolie pipeline will be located. 

25 Note that these are different from risks inherent in pipelines (e.g. of rupture or leakage), which will be the 

subject of a separate Quantitative Risk Assessment and addressed in Section 6.7. 



Box 6-1: 'Sensitive' and 'No-Go' Areas according to Goodland (2005) 

1. Areas supporting many people who would have to be involuntarily displaced and resettled (e.g., 

a town or several villages) 

2. Areas used by Indigenous Peoples or vulnerable ethnic minorities 

3. Protected areas (e.g., UN World Heritage sites; UN Biosphere Reserves; Ramsar sites. 

4. Areas meeting IUCN’s categories I thru VI, and marine categories I-V (e.g., fishing or fish 

breeding reserves). Proposed or recognized protected area; Areas maintaining conditions vital 

for protected areas (e.g., watersheds, buffer zones). 

5. Areas critical for rare, vulnerable, migratory or endangered species. 

6. Areas with cultural property: archeological, historic or sacred sites 

7. Outstanding aesthetic value, beauty spots 

Source: Goodland (2005) 

Overall size or footprint of pipelines and associated facilities / operations 

The overall size and footprint of the pipelines and associated facilities is limited compared to 

pipelines that cross hundreds of kilometres and country boundaries, as: 

• The proposed pipeline corridor is less than 7 km long; 

• Storage facilities and terminals at the start and end of the pipelines largely exist, and only minor 

modifications are required for the operation of the pipelines (e.g. the installation of pumps and 

pig launchers); 

• The entry / exit points of the pipeline, where drilling will take place, are generally accessible via 

existing roads that can accommodate construction vehicles, minimising the need for and impact 

of new access and service roads; and 

• The pipeline pumps have a relatively low pump capacity. 

Based on the above observations, SRK is of the opinion that many impacts of the pipeline are likely 

to be of low significance, which will be reflected in the potential impacts identified as well as the type 

and scope of specialist studies undertaken for the EIA (see Sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 below). 

6.1.1 Environmental issues identified for the project 

Based on the professional experience of the EIA team, the following key environmental issues – 

potential negative impacts and potential benefits – have been identified: 

• Socio-economic – 

- Possible socio-economic benefits from job creation during construction and operation 

(associated with maintenance) of the pipelines and the improvement in the security of 

Suriname’s automotive diesel and gasoline supply; 

- Possible socio-economic costs to businesses adjacent to the pipeline route if structures 

(e.g. jetties) are affected by the pipeline or commercial activity is disrupted during 

construction; 

• Flora and Fauna – Potential damage to habitats along the pipeline route where vegetation is 

cleared for drilling pads or very limited trenching; and 



• Water Quality and Aquatic Ecology – potential deterioration of water quality in the Suriname 

River due to disturbance during the construction of drill pads or leaking of drilling mud during 

drilling activities, which could result in an impact on aquatic fauna and flora and water users. 

6.1.2 Specialist input 

A significant amount of information on environmental aspects in the project area is already available 

from previous or ongoing studies, including the: 

• Suriname River Dredging Project (SRK, 2008); 

• EIA undertaken for the Staatsolie Refinery Expansion Project (SRK, 2010); 

• Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) for the proposed pipelines (Burger, 2012); 

• Feasibility and/or engineering studies undertaken by Staatsolie; and 

• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the proposed pipeline route (SRK, 2012). 

The additional specialist input that has been undertaken for this EIA is described below: 

• Geology and soils: Limited specialist input to confirm the characteristics of the material in which 

the pipeline will be installed and the capability of land adjacent to the pipeline route, especially 

where the pipeline lies close to the surface and where drill pads will be installed. This information 

will also inform the Quantitative Risk Assessment; 

• Water quality and aquatic ecology: Limited specialist input to confirm the sensitivity, status 

and dynamics of the section of the Suriname River that lies adjacent to the proposed pipeline 

route 26 ; 

• Terrestrial flora and fauna: Limited specialist input to confirm the sensitivity and status of 

vegetation adjacent to the pipeline route, especially where drill pads and laydown areas will be 

established, noting that the environment along the proposed route has been severely modified 

by human activities; and 

• Social: Specialist input to describe the social characteristics of the wider area and the 

population that might be affected by the pipeline, both physically through the location of the 

pipeline nearby and otherwise through e.g. employment. 

A separate QRA is being undertaken for the proposed project. The main findings of that assessment 

are reported in the EIA (see Section 6.7); and 

SRK has assembled a team of local and international specialists to provide the necessary input, as 

indicated in Table 6-1 below. 

26 A comprehensive aquatic study is not warranted for this project as: 

- The pipelines will not be in direct contact with the river once it has been inserted into the drill hole. Impacts from the 

pipelines on the river are thus likely to be limited to the construction phase and can be largely mitigated with good 

environmental management; 

- The river and its western bank are not pristine environments and have been significantly modified; and 

- The tidal nature of the Suriname River frequently flushes the river in this area, minimising the magnitude of standard 

project impacts, such as limited siltation during construction. 



Table 6-1: Proposed EIA specialist studies and relevant specialists 

Specialist field Specialists 

Geology and soils Dirk Noordam (Suriname) 

Water quality and aquatic ecology Dirk Noordam (Suriname) 

Terrestrial flora and fauna Dirk Noordam (Suriname) 

Social Henna Guicherit (Suriname) 

Risk Dr. Lucian Burger (South Africa) 

The terms of reference (ToR) for each of the specialists are provided below: 

Geology and soils: 

• Describe the baseline geology and soil composition based on existing information; and 

• Propose suitable mitigation, remediation and monitoring methods to minimise negative impacts 

and enhance benefits. 

Water quality and aquatic ecology: 

• Briefly describe the baseline surface water and groundwater conditions based on existing 

information, including the studies undertaken for the Suriname River Dredging Project (2008); 

• Describe any water contamination identified in the Suriname River; 

• Identify sensitive areas and habitats in the Suriname River that could be affected by the project 

(e.g. particularly at the drill pads / pipeline entry and exit points); and 

• Propose suitable mitigation, remediation and monitoring methods to minimise negative impacts 

and enhance benefits. 

Terrestrial flora and fauna: 

• Describe vegetation and habitats adjacent to the pipeline route; 

• Review existing information related to terrestrial flora and fauna in the area; 

• Obtain input by relevant government and independent specialists to verify the findings, if 

required; and 

• Propose suitable mitigation and monitoring methods to minimise negative impacts and enhance 

benefits. 

Social: 

• Provide a comprehensive description of the socio-economic information for areas within and 

adjacent to the terrestrial pipeline corridor, including the following: 

o Identification and analysis of stakeholders; 

o Community size and composition; 

o Facilities, structures and activities adjacent to the pipeline route; 

o Resource users; 

o Economic activities; 

o Intensity of traffic on land and river; 

o Planned activities by the Government or private agencies; and 

o Existing emergency response resources; 




benefits. 

Risk: 


benefits. 

SRK consultants with the necessary qualifications will provide input on other aspects and issues, 

such as climatic conditions, visual conditions and noise impacts, as required. 

6.1.3 Impact assessment and methodology 

The significance of potential impacts that may result from the proposed project has been rated in 

accordance with the standard methodology outlined below. The assessment of impacts is based on 

the professional judgement of the EIA team (including specialists), fieldwork and desk-top analysis. 

The significance of an impact is defined as a combination of the consequence of the impact 

occurring and the probability that the impact will occur, which are determined as follows: 

Table 6-2: Criteria used to determine the Consequence of the Impact 

Rating Definition of Rating Score 

A. Extent– the area over which the impact will be experienced 

Local Confined to project or study area or part thereof 1 

Regional The region (e.g. wider corridor along the proposed pipeline route) 2 

(Inter) national Beyond the district borders 3 

B. Intensity– the magnitude of the impact in relation to the sensitivity of the receiving environment, taking into 

account the frequency of the impact and degree to which impact may cause irreplaceable loss of resources 

Low Site-specific and wider natural and/or social functions and processes are negligibly 

altered 

Medium Site-specific and wider natural and/or social functions and processes continue 

albeit in a modified way 

High Site-specific and wider natural and/or social functions or processes are severely 

altered 

C. Duration– the timeframe over which the impact will be experienced and its reversibility 

Short-term Up to 2 years 1 

Medium-term 2 to 15 years 2 

Long-term More than 15 years 3 

The combined score of these three criteria corresponds to a Consequence Rating, as follows: 

Table 6-3: Method used to determine the Consequence Score 

Combined Score (A+B+C) 3 – 4 5 6 7 8 – 9 

Consequence Rating Very low Low Medium High Very high 

Once the consequence was derived, the probability of the impact occurring was considered, using 

the probability classifications presented in Table 6-4 below. 

Table 6-4: Probability Classification 

Probability– the likelihood of the impact occurring 

Improbable < 40% chance of occurring 

Possible 40% - 70% chance of occurring 

Probable > 70% - 90% chance of occurring 

Definite > 90% chance of occurring 

REUT/DALC 439414_StaatsoliePipelineEIA_Draft EIA Report_Final June 2012 

1 

2 

3


The overall significance of impacts was determined by considering consequence and probability 

using the rating system prescribed in Table 6-5 below. 

Table 6-5: Impact significance ratings 

Consequence 

Probability 

Improbable Possible Probable Definite 

Very Low INSIGNIFICANT INSIGNIFICANT VERY LOW VERY LOW 

Low VERY LOW VERY LOW LOW LOW 

Medium LOW LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM 

High MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH 

Very High HIGH HIGH VERY HIGH VERY HIGH 

Finally the impacts were also considered in terms of their status (positive or negative impact) and the 

confidence in the ascribed impact significance rating. The prescribed system for considering impacts 

status and confidence (in assessment) is laid out in Table 6-6 below. 

Table 6-6: Impact status and confidence classification 

Status of impact 

Indication whether the impact is adverse (negative) or 

beneficial (positive). 

Confidence of assessment 

The degree of confidence in predictions based on 

available information, SRK’s judgment and/or specialist 

knowledge. 

+ ve (positive – a ‘benefit’) 

– ve (negative – a ‘cost’) 


Low 

Medium 

Different types of impacts will also be considered in the impact ratings, as listed in Box 6-2 below. 

Box 6-2: Types of impact 

Direct – impacts that result from the direct interaction between a project activity and the receiving 

High 

environment (e.g. dust generation which affects air quality). 

Indirect – impacts that result from other (non-project) activities but which are facilitated as a result 

of the project (e.g. in-migration of job-seekers, which places additional demands on natural 

resources) or impacts that occur as a result of subsequent interaction of direct project impacts within 

the environment (e.g. reduced air quality that affects crop production and subsequently impacts on 

subsistence-based livelihoods). 

Cumulative – impacts that act together with current or future potential impacts of other activities or 

proposed activities in the area/region that affect the same resources and/or receptors (e.g. 

combined effects of waste water discharges from more than one project into the same water 

resource, which may be acceptable individually, but cumulatively result in a reduction in water 

quality and fishing productivity). 

There is no statutory definition of ‘significance’ and its determination is therefore necessarily partially 

subjective. Criteria for assessing the significance of impacts arise from the following key elements: 

• Status of compliance with relevant Suriname legislation, policies and plans, any relevant or 

industry policies, environmental standards or guidelines and internationally accepted best 

practice; 

• The consequence of the change to the biophysical or socio-economic environment (e.g. loss of 

habitats, decrease in water quality) expressed, wherever practicable, in quantitative terms. For 

socio-economic impacts, the consequence should be viewed from the perspective of those


affected, by taking into account the likely perceived importance of the impact and the ability of 

people to manage and adapt to the change; 

• The nature of the impact receptor (physical, biological, or human). Where the receptor is 

physical (e.g. a water resource) its quality, sensitivity to change and importance will be 

considered. Where the receptor is biological, its importance (e.g. its local, regional, national or 

international importance) and its sensitivity to the impact will be considered. For a human 

receptor, the sensitivity of the household, community or wider societal group will be considered 

along with their ability to adapt to and manage the effects of the impact; and 

• The probability that the identified impact will occur. This is estimated based upon experience 

and/or evidence that such an outcome has previously occurred. 

For this assessment, the impact significance rating should be considered by NIMOS and Staatsolie 

in their decision-making processes based on the definitions of ratings ascribed below: 

• INSIGNIFICANT: the potential impact is negligible and will not have an influence on the 

decision regarding the proposed activity. 

• VERY LOW: the potential impact is very small and should not have any meaningful influence on 

the decision regarding the proposed activity. 

• LOW: the potential impact may not have any meaningful influence on the decision regarding the 

proposed activity. 

• MEDIUM: the potential impact should influence the decision regarding the proposed activity. 

• HIGH: the potential impact will affect the decision regarding the proposed activity. 

• VERY HIGH: The proposed activity should only be approved under special circumstances. 

In the report, practicable mitigation and optimisation measures are recommended and impacts were 

rated in the prescribed way both without and with the assumed effective implementation of mitigation 

and optimisation measures. Mitigation and optimisation measures are either: 

• Essential: must be implemented and are non-negotiable; and. 

• Optional: must be shown to have been considered and sound reasons provided by the 

proponent if not implemented 27 . 

Negative impacts (with mitigation) rated high or very high should be shaded in red, while positive 

impacts (with optimisation) rated high or very high should be shaded green. 

SRK recognises that many of the recommended mitigation measures are routinely incorporated into 

design, construction methods and operating systems; they are nevertheless explicitly listed in this 

report so as to provide a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures. Note that only key measures 

are incorporated in the impact significance rating tables presented in this chapter – the 

comprehensive suite of measures is presented in the EMMP in Section 6.9. 

6.1.4 Integration of Studies into the EIA Report, and Review 

The completed specialist studies and their findings have been integrated into the EIA Report. The 

key findings of each specialist were evaluated in relation to each other to provide an overall and 

integrated assessment of the project impacts. 

27 Generally management measures are phrased as firm and unequivocal actions. Where management measures are 

(purposefully) phrased in such a manner that they should be considered or further investigated before deciding to proceed, 

SRK expects and assumes that Staatsolie will do so through rigorous and documented evaluation procedures. 



SRK has considered the suite of potential impacts in a holistic manner and in certain instances, 

based on independent professional judgment and this integrated approach, may have altered impact 

significance ratings. Where this has been done it has been indicated in the relevant section of the 

report. 

6.2 Less significant (or minor) impacts 

More significant impacts are assessed later in this chapter. In addition, there are a number of minor 

or less significant impacts associated with the pipeline: these include: 

• Groundwater impacts; 

• Visual impacts; 

• Air quality impacts; 

• Noise and vibration impacts; 

• Land and river use impact; and 

• Climate change impacts. 

If recommended mitigation measures are adopted, these impacts are not expected to be significant 

nor long term and have therefore not been subjected to detailed impact analysis. However, they 

have been assessed by the EIA team through desktop investigation and groundtruthing, and are 

discussed below. 

6.2.1 Groundwater impacts 

The proposed pipeline corridor is underlain be three major aquifers: 

• The A-sand aquifer, containing freshwater, at an approximate depth of 120 m. Drinking water in 

the study area is abstracted from this aquifer; 

• The Coesewijne aquifer, containing freshwater, at an approximate depth of 70 m. The 

Coesewijne sands are in hydraulic contact with the overlying Zanderij Formation; and 

• The Zanderij aquifer, containing brakish water, at an approximate depth of 30-50 m. 

The pipelines will be located above the top-most aquifer in the Zanderij formation. Nearby drilling 

records show an approximately 30 m thick clay layer in the area, overlying the aquifers. As such, it is 

expected that the pipelines will be embedded in this clay layer for most if not all of its length. 

During construction, potential sources of groundwater contamination and associated impacts on 

drinking water include drilling through an aquifer or leaking of drilling mud into an aquifer. The 

magnitude of potential groundwater impacts from the above sources is considered insignificant, as: 

• The pipeline will be installed above the upper-most aquifer and does not transect any aquifers; 

• The pipeline will be embedded in a clay layer with very low permeability, making it unlikely that 

any drilling mud will permeate to groundwater; 

• The drilling mud is non-toxic and quickly disperses in water; and 

• The groundwater in the Zanderij aquifer underlying the pipeline corridor is brackish and not of 

good (drinking water) quality. 

During operation, potential sources of groundwater contamination and associated impacts on 

drinking water provision include leaking of oil or diesel into an aquifer. The magnitude of potential 



groundwater impacts from the above sources during normal operation of the pipelines is considered 

insignificant 28 , as: 

• The pipelines are designed to prevent leakage of any product (they will have ample wall 

thickness, additional coating and a cathodic protection system to prevent corrosion); 

• The pipeline will be embedded in a clay layer with very low permeability, making it unlikely that 

any drilling mud will permeate to groundwater; and 

• The groundwater in the Zanderij aquifer underlying the pipeline corridor is brackish and not of 

good (drinking water) quality. 

It must be noted that the above assessment is based on the assumption that the following measures 

are implemented in the project design, construction and operation phases: 

• Investigation of the proposed pipeline corridor prior to the commencement of drilling to ensure 

that the depth of aquifers and ground composition is known along the route; 

• The alignment of the drill path will stay within the clay layer where possible and will not lie within 

the Zanderij aquifer underlying the pipeline corridor; 

• Ensure that the structural integrity of the pipeline is regularly and sufficiently monitored, e.g. 

through pigging; 

• Maintain the cathodic protection system in working order at all times; and 

• Monitor and compare product volumes entering and exiting the pipelines for indications of lost 

product. 

6.2.2 Visual impacts 

The visual quality and sense of place of the proposed pipeline corridor is characterised by the 

activities on the Suriname River and its bank. Dense (secondary) vegetation grows along the bank of 

the river on unused plots, while various forms of industrial structures and associated jetties are 

located on most of the other (cleared) plots along the pipeline route. The river is used by a variety of 

large cargo and smaller recreational vessels. 

During construction, potential sources of visual impacts include drilling equipment at the pipeline 

entry / exit points, activities at the pipeline assembly area, pipeline strings laid out for insertion into 

the borehole and construction activities along the trenching and pipe rack sections. The magnitude 

of potential visual impacts from the above sources is considered insignificant, as: 

• Most activities will take place within areas already used for industrial purposes and characterised 

by industrial structures; 

• The visual absorption capacity of the landscape is considered to be high: 

o Remaining vegetation is high and dense and will effectively shield the construction activities 

from many areas; and 

o Industrial structures on other plots are congruent with pipeline construction activities and will 

effectively absorb visual impacts; 

• Pipeline construction activities will mostly take place on the river bank and away from main 

public roads or places. As such, there will be relatively few people exposed to the visual impacts 

28 The risk of a pipeline rupture is discussed in Section 6.6 below. 



of the project. The main visual receptors will be people located on vessels passing by the area 

and people working on the respective properties where activities take place; 

• Construction activities are spread over some 6 km of pipeline corridor and will only affect 

discrete places and not the entire corridor. Any one person is only ever likely to see one or two 

aspects of the construction activities; 

• Visual receptors are not considered sensitive, as they will be exposed for short times only 

(people on the Suriname River) or are workers in an industrial facility with similar visual 

characteristics; and 

• The visual impact from construction activities is relatively short-lived. 

During operation, the pipelines will mostly lie underground and construction equipment, such as 

drills, would have been removed. Potential sources of visual impacts include remaining drill pad 

structures in or near the river and the approximately 1 km of pipe rack. The magnitude of potential 

visual impacts from the above sources is considered insignificant, as: 

• Drill pads are expected to blend in with other man-made structures along the western bank of 

the Suriname River, e.g. numerous jetties and the MNO Vervat dry dock; 

• The pipe rack will be located within the properties of OGANE and SOL, where they are similar to 

many existing pipelines associated with the OGANE and SOL operations; and 

• Observations noted above regarding the visual absorption capacity and sensitivity of viewers 

apply. 



• Aim to design permanent structures (such as drill pads) to be as unobtrusive as possible, e.g. 

low in height and with natural contours / colours. 

6.2.3 Air quality impacts 

The air quality in the study area is influenced by emissions from a number of industrial activities in 

the area, including the existing Staatsolie refinery, SPCS power plant, facilities of SOL, OGANE and 

Suritex as well as various other industrial activities in the area, such as the ice factory, fish factory, 

cement factory etc. No comprehensive air emissions inventory for the study area is available 29 , but 

emissions by the existing refinery and the SPCS were modelled for the Staatsolie Refinery 

Expansion Project EIA. The study concluded that estimated ground level concentrations of pollutants 

emitted by these installations did not indicate any exceedances of relevant international standards, 

and that air quality in the vicinity of the refinery at the southern extent of the study area is acceptable 

and not likely to impair human health (SRK, 2010). 

During construction, potential sources of air quality impacts include wind-blown sand exposed during 

earthworks and exhaust fumes of construction / drilling equipment. The magnitude of potential air 

quality impacts from the above sources is considered insignificant, as: 

• Most of the pipelines will be laid by HDD and, some, by pipe rack: very little excavation and 

earthworks will thus take place; 

• Soil is typically clayey or wet and does not easily create dust; 

29 As air quality impacts from the pipeline project are considered to be insignificant, baseline air quality measurements were 

not undertaken for this EIA. 



• Emissions of exhaust fumes from construction equipment will be concentrated at the drill pads, 

which are located in industrial areas near the river, where fumes will be relatively quickly 

dispersed and impact few people; 

• Impacts from the construction phase will be very short-term. 

During operation, any potential impacts of the project on air quality are considered insignificant, as: 

• The pipeline will mostly lie underground and not release emissions to the air; 

• Earthworks will not be required for maintenance of the pipeline or corridor; and 

• The emissions associated with the operation of pumps to move the product in the pipelines are 

expected to be minimal compared to the other industrial emissions in the area. 



• Maintain all generators, vehicles, vessels and other equipment in good working order to 

minimise exhaust fumes; and 

• Cover stockpiles of dry, loose material with netting or similar to avoid dust, especially during 

windy and dry conditions. 

6.2.4 Noise and vibration impacts 

Detailed noise measurements are not available for the study area 30 , but are likely to vary depending 

on the land use in specific locations. Land use varies from vacant and vegetated plots (where noise 

will be dominated by more natural sounds of birds and frogs) to residential areas (characterised by 

traffic, dogs barking, household noise etc) and industrial activities (where noise levels might be 

comparable to those measured at the Staatsolie refinery). 2009 measurements in the vicinity of the 

Staatsolie refinery indicated that current ambient noise levels in residential, commercial and 

industrial areas lie below guideline levels stipulated by the IFC. 

During construction, potential sources of noise and vibration impacts include drilling activities at the 

pipeline entry / exit points, activities at the pipeline assembly area, construction activities along the 

trenching and pipe rack sections and construction vehicles and vessels. The magnitude of potential 

noise and vibration impacts from the above sources is considered insignificant, as: 

• Most activities will take place at a few discrete points over the 6 km long pipeline corridor, within 

areas already used for industrial purposes and at considerable distance from residential areas 31 ; 

• There are only five drill locations, spread over an approximately 6 km long corridor; 

• The use of a 250 tonne drill (such as the one proposed for this project) in close proximity of 

residences for other HDD operations did not cause any vibration-related complaints (Southern 

Water, not dated); 

• Vibrations caused by heavy trucks at nearby structures may create annoyance but are unlikely to 

cause damage; such vibrations would not be unusual in the area as heavy trucks already use 

roads in the area; 

30 As noise impacts from the pipeline project are considered to be insignificant, baseline noise measurements were not 

undertaken for this EIA. 

31 The nearest residence to any drill pad is located approximately 200 m from the pad near Suritex. At all other drill pads, 

residences are located at least 500 m from the site. In general, only people living within 100 m of the site boundary are likely 

to be seriously impacted by construction noise. 



• The construction activities are short-term. 

During operation, the pipelines will lie underground. Any potential impacts of the project on noise and 

vibration are considered insignificant, as: 

• The pipeline will lie deep underground in most areas; 

• Any above-ground sections of the pipeline will lie within existing industrial areas; and 

• Pumps and pig launchers are located within industrial areas (at the Staatsolie refinery and 

OGANE). 



• Maintain all equipment in proper working order to avoid excessive noise generation; 

• If complaints regarding noise are received from residents, consider installing partial screening 

around the noisiest activities and/or mufflers on noisy equipment; and 

• Where possible, restrict working times during construction to between 7 am and 7 pm on 

weekdays. Notify any nearby receptors if construction work is planned outside of those times. 

6.2.5 Land and river use impacts 

Potential sources of land and river use impacts include disturbance of areas due to trenching and 

filling, restrictions to activities on land and in the Suriname River near the pipelines and disposal of 

drill cuttings. Any potential impacts of the project on land and river uses are considered insignificant, 

as: 

• Most sections of the proposed pipelines will lie deep underground; 

• Limited restrictions to surface land use will only apply to short sections at and close to drill pads, 

and where the pipeline lies above ground; 

• The project involves only minimal trenching and some pipe rack on land belonging to Staatsolie, 

OGANE and SOL; 

• Privately owned land will be largely avoided by the pipelines; 

• Drill cuttings will be used for fill and are non-hazardous, as they consist of the material removed 

from the borehole (mostly clay and sand) and traces of drilling mud, which is non-toxic; 

• The pipeline imposes no restrictions on shipping traffic; and 

• The pipeline imposes no restrictions on future maintenance dredging in the area. 



• Inform all potentially affected parties of any temporary and permanent restrictions to land and 

river use; 

• Clearly mark all terrestrial areas to which temporary and permanent restrictions apply. 

6.2.6 Climate change impacts 

The project area is located in Suriname’s low-lying coastal plain and adjacent to / in the Suriname 

River. This area is likely to be vulnerable to possible effects of climate change such as sea level rise 

and changing rainfall and wind patterns. The burning of fossil fuels is generally accepted to be a 

factor contributing to climate change. 



Any potential impacts of the project on climate change or vice versa are considered insignificant, as: 

• The pipeline is located mostly underneath the Suriname River, and rises in its level will therefore 

not affect the pipeline; 

• Drill pads on the riverbank are only used during the construction period; and 

• The conveying of the product in the pipelines will not result in the release of significant amounts 

of greenhouse gases. 

6.3 Potential impact: Surface water pollution due to construction 

activities 

Potential impacts of routine activities during the pipeline construction phase on surface water quality 

may result from: 

• Disposal of surplus drilling mud into the Suriname River (see Section 6.7.1 for potential impacts 

of accidental releases of drilling mud); and 

• Runoff of sediments or contaminated water from construction activities. 

Disposal of remaining drilling mud into the Suriname River 

Some 360 tons of water based drilling mud, equating to 18 tons of bentonite, will remain in the mud 

pits at the end of drilling and need to be disposed of. One option for disposal is the release of this 

surplus mud into the Suriname River 32 . It is assumed that each of the four drill sections will generate 

a fraction of the overall surplus mud, so that a smaller quantity of drilling mud needs to be 

discharged every time a HDD section has been completed. 

Bentonite is non-toxic, and based on the preliminary list of likely and possible ingredients of the 

drilling mud, it is not expected that the mud will contain trace metals, which can have toxic effects on 

aquatic organisms (Visser & Smit Hanab, 2011). Bentonite mud is listed on the PLONOR 33 list. 

However, it could result in increased silt content in the vicinity of the release point and benthic 

invertebrates, aquatic plants and fish and their eggs can be smothered by the fine bentonite particles 

(Sacramento Municipal Utility District, 2001). 

In a separate, unrelated study of marine, dispersion modelling for the discharge of 500 tons of drilling 

mud and 500 tons of drill cuttings into the marine environment approximately 5 m above the sea bed 

indicated a radial pattern of deposition. The modelled thickness of bottom deposition is highest at the 

discharge source and does not exceed 10 mm at a distance of 50 m from the source. A conservative 

estimate of the depth of instantaneous smothering that the major organism classes within the 

benthos communities inhabiting sediments on the continental shelf would be able to survive is 5 cm 

(based on research on the effects of dredged sediment on marine benthic polychaetes, molluscs and 

crustaceans by Maurer et al. (1980, 1981 & 1982, cited in SRK, 2011a)). Marine benthic macrofauna 

32 The other disposal option considered for the surplus drilling mud is working it into the soil of nearby farmland. Bentonite has 

been successfully used in farming as an additive to degraded, light–textured soils to enrich them with nutrients, increase their 

capacity to retain water and decrease erosion (e.g. in northern Thailand). The availability of sufficient farm land near the study 

area and suitability of soils (many of which are already high in clay content and water logged) for enrichment with bentonite 

must be determined by Staatsolie if this option is to be pursued. Due to the benign nature of bentonite and the assumed 

absence of trace metals from the drilling mud, no significant negative environmental impacts are anticipated from working the 

surplus drilling mud into farmland. 

33 Lists substances / preparations used and discharged offshore which are considered to pose little or no risk to the 

environment 



(i.e. organisms of >1 mm in size) would require at least 1 mm of deposition to generate chronic 

effects. 

The above results cannot be directly transferred to this project, although it suggests that total 

concentration of bentonite in the water column of the Suriname River and deposition rates on the 

river bed are also likely to be low because: 

• The tidal nature of the Suriname River in this section contributes to vigorous mixing of the waters 

and an elevated capacity for dilution; and 

• The overall volume of drilling mud released at any one time is likely to be low relative to the 

water mass of the Suriname River, which is more than 1 km wide and 5 m deep in this section. 

Impacts on the aquatic ecology in the river as a result of the release of drilling mud are expected to 

be limited as: 

• Any impacts are likely to be very localised around the discharge point; and 

• No sensitive or unique environmental characteristics were identified for the study area; 

Runoff of sediment and contaminated water from construction activities 

Exposed soil at work areas near or in the river, could be washed into the Suriname River by 

stormwater and blown in during windy periods, which could result in increased turbidity and sediment 

loads in the river. 

Vehicle movements and area where soil will be disturbed will be restricted to the drill pads, and the 

potential increased in turbidity and sedimentation in the Suriname River is therefore limited. In 

addition, the Suriname River is already very turbid and has a high sediment load and, any sediment 

discharged into the river during construction would create only a negligible increase in 

turbidity/sediment load. 

During the construction of the drill pads and drilling operation, a number of potential pollutants will be 

handled and/or generated (e.g. 2 200 l diesel/day and smaller volumes of hydraulic oil, motor oil and 

coolant). Small volumes of these pollutants may leak or spill into the Suriname River. Any 

unregulated dumping of waste materials (construction rubble, waste oil, etc.) into the river would 

contribute to contamination of the river, but it is assumed that such dumping will not take place. 

Due to the relatively small quantities of pollutants and the high dilution capacity of the river, the 

potential impact of pollutants discharged during normal construction activities on surface water 

quality will be localised, of low intensity and short-term duration. The potential contamination of the 

Suriname River during the construction phase is therefore assessed to be of very low (negative) 

significance. 

The impacts can and should be mitigated by implementing good environmental management and 

housekeeping procedures during the construction period. The implementation of recommended 

mitigation measures would reduce the likelihood of any impact occurring and would result in an 

insignificant residual impact. 

Table 6-7: Significance of surface water pollution – Construction 

Extent Intensity Duration Consequence Probability Significance Status Confidence 

Without 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Short-term 

1 

Very Low 

3 

Probable VERY LOW -ve Medium 

Key mitigation measures: 

• Consider staggering the release of the surplus drilling mud over time, and at different locations, preferably in fastflowing 

conditions and deeper river sections to aid the rapid dispersion of the bentonite. 

• Consider disposing of at least some surplus drilling mud on land. 

• Comply with Project effluent quality standards for stormwater discharge. 




• Develop (or adapt and implement) procedures for the safe transport, handling and storage of potential pollutants. 

• Design and construct hazardous material storage facilities, especially fuel storage, with suitable impermeable 

materials and a minimum bund containment capacity equal to 110% of the largest container. 

• Ensure all on-site staff is trained in the use of spill prevention measures. 

• Comply with any additional mitigation measures contained in the EMMP. 

With 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Short-term 

1 

Very Low 

3 

Possible INSIGNIFICANT -ve Medium 

During operation, the sealed pipelines will lie up to 30 m below the Suriname River and not be in 

direct contact with the river. Under normal circumstances, they will not have an impact on surface 

water (see Section 6.7.2 for potential impacts of accidental releases of hydrocarbons). 

6.4 Potential impact: Loss or deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic 

habitat during construction 

Potential impacts of routine activities on terrestrial and aquatic habitat quality during pipeline 

construction may result from: 

• Vegetation clearing for the establishment of drill pads and assembly areas; and 

• Filling of land to extend drill pads into the river 34 . 

HDD will require the construction of up to four drill pads for the placement of the drill rig at the entry 

point of each drill section. Each of the four drill pads measures up to 2 500 m 2 ; a combined area of 

up to 10 000 m 2 . The assembly area will essentially be a long narrow corridor along which the 

pipelines can be laid out, adjacent to local roads in the area. 

All construction sites are located in highly disturbed areas that contain no or very limited secondary 

vegetation nor vulnerable, rare or endangered plant species. Similarly, wildlife species present are 

commonly associated with human presence. 

The riverbank has been modified by the development of jetties, filling into the river, possible bank 

stabilization in places, construction of inlets and industrial facilities. The fill required for the drill pads 

is relatively minor compared to existing structures in the river in this section, many of which extend 

further into the river. 

The potential impact of vegetation clearing and filling on habitat quality will be localised and of low 

intensity. The impact is expected to be of medium-term duration as vegetation will either grow back 

or a new equilibrium is likely to establish, in the absence of subsequent disturbance from other 

activities. The potential degradation of habitat quality during the construction phase is therefore 

assessed to be of low (negative) significance and with the implementation of mitigation is reduced 

to very low (negative). 

Table 6-8: Significance of loss or deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic habitat – Construction 


Without 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Medium 

2 

Low 

4 

Probable LOW -ve Medium 


• Minimise landtake and associated vegetation clearing / filling in the river. 

• Avoid disturbance to areas outside of construction areas as far as possible. 


34 Trenching will be limited and is not expected to have impacts on terrestrial or aquatic habitats as it will be done in areas that 

are already severely degraded (Bruynzeel site, SOL and OGANE). 



With 

mitigation 


Local Low Medium Low 

Probable VERY LOW 35 1 1 2 4 

-ve Medium 

6.5 Potential impact: Employment creation 

Employment provides many socio-economic benefits to employees and their dependants, including 

improved material wealth and standard of living, enhanced potential to invest and improved access 

to social services such as education, health services, etc. The employment and training of unskilled 

workers facilitates skills development and improves the future employment prospects of such 

workers. 

The HDD will be primarily executed by an international contractor, who is expected to bring its own 

skilled personnel and specialised equipment to Suriname for the duration of the drilling phase. It is 

further assumed that most materials, such as the pipelines and construction material (e.g. drilling 

mud), will be imported. 

All ancillary work related to the pipeline construction, such as the preparation of drill pads and 

trenching of the relevant sections, as well as the drilling of shorter sections at Bruynzeel, will be 

undertaken by local (Surinamese) contractors. It is estimated that approximately 25 workers will be 

engaged in those activities for some 3 months. 

It is not expected that new employment will be created by the pipeline construction, but rather that 

existing employment at the contracted firms will be supported. Indirect employment generated 

through the (local) purchase of materials and services and expenditure in the local community by the 

workforce is expected to be small. 

The impact of construction phase employment generation is deemed to be of local extent and low 

intensity, as few direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created. The potential impact is 

therefore considered to be of very low (positive) significance before mitigation. 

Implementing the recommended mitigation measures may marginally increase the intensity of this 

benefit. However, due to the relatively limited size of the project, and short construction period and 

the assumed specialised skills and equipment requirements of HDD, it is expected that Staatsolie’s 

scope to expand local employment and procurement beyond currently envisaged levels is limited 

and the significance of the potential impact remains very low (positive) after mitigation. 

Table 6-9: Significance of employment creation – Construction 


Without 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Short-term 

1 

Very low 

3 

Probable VERY LOW +ve Medium 


• Consider maximising the employment of local workers and formalise this policy in Staatsolie’s HR guidelines and 

contracts. 

• Work closely with the local community to identify and communicate required skills and resources that the local 

community could provide. 

• Consider implementing labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive work methods wherever possible. 

• Consider purchasing resources from Surinamese sources wherever possible. 


With 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Short-term 

1 

Very low 

3 

Probable VERY LOW +ve Medium 

35 Although the impact rating methodology results in an impact significance rating of ‘Low’, the rating has been reduced to 

‘Very Low’ based on professional opinion and the condition of the surrounding area. 



It is not expected that new employment will be created during the operations phase. Rather, existing 

Staatsolie employees or contractors will assume the tasks of operating, monitoring and maintaining 

the pipelines. 

6.6 Potential impact: Disruptions to road and river traffic 

Potential impacts of the pipeline project on transportation may result from the: 

• Movement of construction vehicles; 

• Limited restrictions imposed on river traffic during pipeline stringing; and 

• Transport of construction materials, equipment and workers to and from the work sites. 

Road traffic 

Transportation infrastructure in Suriname and in the greater Paramaribo area is experiencing 

increased demand and is characterised by a gradually deteriorating road network, although 

initiatives to upgrade certain roads are being implemented. Walking and cycling are important modes 

of transport in rural and urban areas, although few formalised facilities are provided for these. Given 

the generally poor state of the transportation network combined with the high number of pedestrians, 

mopeds and cyclists, road safety is a concern in the country and in comparison to other countries 

there is a fairly high fatality rate. 

The drill pads and other work areas will be accessed mainly via Sir Winston Churchill Road and the 

local, unsurfaced road network. During the construction phase, some heavy vehicles will utilise the 

local road network to access the site to deliver materials and equipment. No information is available 

on the expected numbers of heavy construction vehicles that will service the sites, but traffic is 

expected to be limited. Similarly the number of vehicles transporting the workforce will also be 

limited. 

As a result, the additional (local) traffic due to the pipeline construction is expected to be relatively 

minimal, with low intensity impact on the local road network (congestion, community safety and road 

deterioration). The impact would be localised and of short-term duration, as the level of construction 

phase traffic would not be constant for the entire duration of the construction phase. 

River traffic 

The lower Suriname River is a major transportation route and provides shipping access to a number 

of businesses located along the pipeline route. Other users of the river include commercial, 

subsistence fishermen, cargo vessels, sand barges, tourism operators and passenger transport 

providers. As such, a high number and variety of vessels utilise the Suriname River. 

During the construction phase of the pipeline project, some material (e.g. sand) will be delivered by 

barge to the drill pads. However, this is not expected to result in a noticeable increase in river traffic. 

The drill rigs will be land-based. The pipeline strings will be laid out on the river before insertion into 

the drill hole. This is likely to necessitate restrictions to river traffic along the section where the string 

is laid out for approximately 3 to 4 days per HDD section. Jetties in the vicinity and small boat 

operations may be impacted. Drilling activities will not impose other restrictions or have other 

impacts on river traffic in the study area. 

The potential impact of road and river traffic related to the construction phase of the project would 

therefore be of medium intensity and of local extent and of short-term duration. It is therefore 

assessed to be of very low (negative) significance. The implementation of the recommended 

mitigation measures would reduce the intensity of the interference with and increased safety risks to 

other road and river users, although the residual impact remains very low (negative) (see Table 

6-10). 



Table 6-10: Significance of disruptions to road and river traffic – Construction 


Without 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Medium 

2 

Short-term 

1 

Very low 

4 



• Attempt to time the transportation of construction workers and materials to avoid peak traffic hours as far as 

possible. 

• Ensure compliance with international and national (MAS) safety standards and procedures for barge and tanker 

operations. 


With 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Short-term 

1 

Very low 

3 


Once the pipeline is operational, only occasional trips by service vehicles to drill pads or pipe rack 

sections will be required. This project phase is thus not expected to impact on traffic. 

6.7 Potential risks 

The impacts of possible non-routine events are discussed below; they include: 

• Accidental release of drilling mud during construction (frac-out); 

• Potential damage to jetties and structures on the river bank; and 

• Accidental release of hydrocarbons due to pipeline rupture or leakage. 

It should be noted that the assessment of the potential “risk” impacts is based on the premise that an 

accident occurs, which is considered unlikely. Therefore, the probability ratings presented in the 

assessment tables below is the probability of the effects described occurring, should an incident take 

place, and not the probability of the accident itself occurring. 

6.7.1 Risk: Accidental release of drilling mud during construction (frac-out) 

Probability of an incident 

Drilling mud can accidentally reach the surface environment if: 

• The mud leaches out through geological “cracks” or fractures in the formation (an event referred 

to a hydro-geologic fracture or frac-out); or 

• The pressure of the drilling mud in the borehole is too high relative to the surrounding pressure. 

Such a blow-out is most likely to take place in shallow drill sections (less than 5 m deep). 

During HDD, drilling mud can escape from the borehole either through geological fissures/fractures 

or if the mud pressure exceeds that of the surrounding environment. Such frac-outs are more likely 

to occur in shallow sections of the borehole, suddenly releasing large amounts of drilling mud. 

Depending on the type of frac-out and sub-surface material, some of the bentonite might already 

have been filtered out of the mud by the time it reaches the surface. The likelihood of such accidents 

decreases as the depth of the borehole increases (Sacramento Municipal Utility District, 2001). 

The soil profile along the pipeline corridor appears to consist predominantly of clay, with intermittent 

silt and sand content. Sandy substrata with some gravel occur in the profile in a thickness of several 

meters and more, getting more abundant and prevailing with depth. Visser & Smit Hanab (2011) 

note that the risk of losing mud circulation and of blow-outs is considered low in this type of soil 

profile. 

Visser & Smit Hanab (2011) further note that the risk is largely limited to the short entry and exit 

sections where soil cover is shallow (less than 5 m) and its weight might not counter the mud 



pressure in the borehole. A frac-out is more likely to occur during the pilot drilling phase than during 

the reaming or pull-in phases. 

Impact if the incident occurs 

The northern-most entry point is located on land, near the Suritex property. Frac-outs on land are 

relatively easy to contain if containment structures (e.g. straw bales, silt fence or plastic sheeting) 

are available. Once contained, the escaped mud can be removed and is not expected to pose a 

danger to the environment. 

Four of the entry / exit points are located on the riverbank. Frac-outs in aquatic environments are 

very difficult to contain, because bentonite readily disperses in flowing water. Water-based 

(bentonite) drilling mud is generally not toxic, but could result in increased silt content in the 

immediate vicinity of the release point. The increased silt load could impact on the aquatic 

environment by e.g. smothering fish (by clogging their gills) and / or fish eggs and benthic organisms 

when the bentonite settles out (Sacramento Municipal Utility District, 2001). 

Should a frac-out occur, the impact will depend on the volume of mud that is released, which 

determines the extent of the plume and settlement patterns. However, given the size of the 

Suriname River and its dilution capacity, as well as the absence of sensitive habitats or species in 

this area, a frac-out that is quickly detected and dealt with is expected to have limited impacts on the 

overall system. 

The potential impact of an accidental release of drilling mud, should it occur, is rated to be of local 

extent (as the mud quickly disperses in the water) and medium intensity (as a large quantity of mud 

could be released). Duration is rated as short-term as the system is expected to restore itself after an 

incident. The impact is therefore assessed to be of low (negative) significance. 

The implementation of the recommended mitigation measures would reduce the likelihood of an 

incident (which is not reflected in the rating below) and the volume of mud released in the event of 

an accident, thereby reducing the intensity of the impact and the overall significance to very low 

(negative) (see Table 6-11). 

Table 6-11: Significance of frac-out, should this occur 


Without 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Medium 

2 

Short-term 

1 

Low 

4 

Probable LOW -ve Medium 

Essential mitigation measures: 

To reduce the probability of an incident (does not affect significance rating): 

• Closely monitor drilling pressures and penetration rates. Ensure that mud pressure is optimal to penetrate the 

formation. 

To reduce the impact in the event of an incident: 

• Visually monitor the areas around the drilling site for signs of drilling mud leakage, especially while drilling 

shallower sections near the entry / exit points. 

• Compare the estimated and actual volume of drilling mud returns, to detect escaping mud. 

• Cease drilling operations if returns of drilling mud decrease or if a surface release of drilling mud is detected, to 

determine what actions need to be taken, in line with stipulations in the EMMP and the spill response plan. 


With 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Low 

1 

Short-term 

1 

Very Low 

3 


6.7.2 Risk: Accidental release of hydrocarbons due to pipeline rupture or leakage 

The discussion below is largely based on the QRA undertaken for the Staatsolie Pipeline Project 

(Burger 2012) and contributions by Dirk Noordam. 



Probability of an incident 

Generally, the main causes of pipeline failures, though rare, are: 

• Damage from anchors, vessels or dropped objects (offshore pipelines); 

• Third party interference (e.g. digging or driving stakes into the ground) (terrestrial pipelines); 

• Material defect; 

• Mechanical failure (e.g. excess pressure in the pipeline, splitting weld or stress on the steel); 

• Natural hazards (e.g. flooding, landslides, earthquakes and sinkholes); and 

• Operator error or malfunction of the pressure control and protection systems. 

The risk of a pipeline incident is generally highest for the land-based portions of the pipelines and the 

areas where the underground pipeline lies shallowest near the drill entry and exit points, as these 

sections are more exposed. The risk of a pipeline failure through third party interference / external 

damage decreases rapidly with the increasing depth of the pipeline underground. Natural hazards 

are considered a relatively unlikely risk in Suriname, as the geology is considered very stable. Risk 

stemming from operator error or malfunction can be minimised through the use of backup systems. 

Impact if the incident occurs 

The accidental release of large volumes of fuel from the pipeline could have a number of potential 

impacts: 

• Pollution of groundwater; 

• Pollution of the Suriname River and terrestrial areas; 

• Health hazard to people exposed to the leaked fuel; and 

• Fire due to the ignition of the fuel. 

Pollution of groundwater 

As indicated in the section above, the soil profile along the pipeline corridor appears to consist 

predominantly of clay, with intermittent silt and sand content, found most commonly at depth of 20 to 

30 m. The water contained in these sand bodies exhibits a negative hydraulic pressure 36 , which 

appears to illustrate both the embedded character of the sand body and the impermeability of the 

surrounding clay. The pipeline may cross some of these sand bodies, in which case the negative 

pressure is likely to be neutralized by allowing the inflow of additional groundwater. Should a pipeline 

leak in this or a nearby section, any leaked hydrocarbons will enter the sand body, but are unlikely to 

move far from the leak due to the absence of groundwater flow. The spread of pollutants is only 

possible through diffusion, which is a very slow process, and the contamination will remain localized. 

In places where the pipelines lie within or very close to the Zanderij aquifer, a leak would cause only 

localised contamination of the aquifer, because groundwater flow is virtually absent (as there is no 

extraction) and diffusion is slow, coupled with a tendency for the hydrocarbons to move upwards. 

The water in the Zanderij aquifer is brackish in the study area and not used for drinking water. 

Contamination of deeper-lying aquifers that do provide drinking water is not considered plausible 

because of the thickness of the Zanderij aquifer and the presence of a clay layer between aquifers 37 . 

36 The water pressure is lower than in the surrounding environment and so has a tendency to remain in situ rather than flow. 

37 Some diffusion from the Zanderij to the Coesewijne aquifer is shown by Groen, but this is a very slow process. 



With the implementation of mitigation measures listed below, the risks of substantial sub-surface 

contamination or aquifer contamination following a leak is considered minimal. 

Pollution of surface water and areas 

The risk of any spill reaching the surface is higher in areas where the pipeline lies above ground or 

shallow underground, as there is little or no overlying material that could prevent or slow the rise of 

fuel and exert counter pressure on the pipeline. However, shallow underground pipeline sections are 

expected to be specially protected by a plate inserted above them and thicker pipeline walls. 

The majority of the pipeline lies embedded in a clay layer up to 30 m underneath the Suriname 

River, and is further encased by the bentonite drilling mud that remains in the drill hole and congeals. 

The clay layer and congealed bentonite mud are relatively impermeable, and any leaks, particularly 

gasoline or diesel, would be expected to only slowly leak upwards through fissures in the ground. 

Leakage that occurs within a compact clay layer would thus be very localised 38 . These sections of 

the pipelines are also well protected from external interference, and the risk of an incident and/or the 

leaked material causing widespread pollution is lower. 

Based on the calculations undertaken in the QRA to evaluate pipeline risks, the maximum individual 

risk is low, i.e. generally well below 1x10 -6 per year risk of a fatality (meaning there is a one in a 

million chance of a fatality per year). The highest risk was calculated for the areas where pipeline 

sections HDD2 and HDD3 connect and the SOL and OGANE offtakes, where the fatality risk was 

calculated at a still very low 1.6x10 -6 per year. Based on international guidelines, this risk is 

considered to be acceptable without any further mitigation. 

The potential impact of an incident depends on the type of fuel that is spilled and the environment in 

which the spill occurs, as described in Table 6-12. 

Table 6-12: Potential impacts from pipeline leaks in various environments 

Product 

Location 

Suriname 

River 

LPG spill Diesel/gasoline spill 

An LPG spill is likely to reach the surface 

(river bed) more quickly, as the LPG is 

much lighter than its surrounding 

material. 

It is expected that an LPG incident in the 

Suriname River would have no long-term 

environmental damage as the gas 

evaporates rapidly with little or no impact 

to surroundings. 

The main hazard associated with the 

LPG pipeline is loss of containment 

resulting in a gas release, which could be 

ignited by a vessel in the vicinity. The 

resultant fire could engulf the vessel and 

cause fatalities to the crew and 

passengers on board, either directly due 

to the fire or due to the vessel sinking (in 

the worst case). 

A gasoline or diesel spill, if / once it has worked its 

way up from the pipeline, forms a layer on the 

water surface and therefore has a higher potential 

impact to the bio-physical environment than LPG. 

Diesel and gasoline will be transported with the 

river flow (ebb and flow conditions), with the 

influence of wind drag. 

Evaporation occurs immediately after release. As 

the surface slick spreads, more of the diesel and 

gasoline are exposed to the atmosphere, causing 

the evaporation rate to increase. Since gasoline is 

considerably more volatile, it would evaporate 

much more readily than diesel. Evaporation is the 

most significant physical-chemical process 

causing the reduction in the spill volume. 

Diesel and gasoline plumes may reach the 

riverbanks, with deposition along the shoreline, to 

be later re-entrained into the river current. 

Some of the suspended oil droplets may also sink 

to the riverbed. The oil deposited on the channel 

bottom may be transported laterally or 

resuspended, or undergo further biological or 

physical-chemical reaction. 

38 As opposed to leakage within a sandy substrate, in which the fuel could easily spread over a large area before reaching the 

river, resulting in extensive sub-surface contamination 



Product 

Location 

On land 

LPG spill Diesel/gasoline spill 

A full-bore LPG pipeline breach would 

result in a complex two-phase choked 

gas flow. The possibility of a significant 

flash fire resulting from delayed remote 

ignition is extremely low due to the 

buoyant nature of the vapour, which 

generally precludes the formation of a 

persistent flammable vapour cloud at 

ground level. The dominant hazard is 

thermal radiation from a sustained jet or 

trench fire, which may be preceded by a 

short-lived fireball. 

Spillage of gasoline and diesel could result in an 

unignited vapour cloud, pool fire or, in the case of 

gasoline, a delayed flash fire. The risk due to toxic 

cloud formation, either as an unignited cloud or a 

burning pool (jet fire) is low. 

As discussed above, the intensity of an impact would depend on the volume and type of pollutants 

released and the type of environment into which it is released. Particularly, a spill of diesel or 

gasoline in the Suriname River could cause an impact of regional extent through the dispersion of 

the fuel on the river, while the intensity of an impact from a jet fire could be high. In all cases, it is 

expected that the pollutant will disperses relatively quickly, particularly in the water, and that any 

terrestrial areas can be remediated. 

The potential impact from an accidental release of hydrocarbons due to a pipeline leakage or rupture 

is therefore assessed to be of medium significance (negative) without mitigation (Table 6-13). 

The implementation of the recommended mitigation measures would reduce the likelihood of an 

incident (which is not reflected in the rating below) and the extent and intensity of an impact by 

shortening the response time, thereby limiting the amount of fuel that is spilled before the leak can 

be stopped. The overall significance of the impact, should it occur, reduces to very low (negative) 

after mitigation. 

Table 6-13: Significance of accidental release of hydrocarbons from the pipeline – Operation 


Without 

mitigation 

Regional 

2 

High 

3 

Short-term 

1 

Medium 

6 

Probable MEDIUM -ve Medium 

Essential mitigation measures: 

To reduce the probability of an incident (does not affect significance rating): 

• Design the pipelines to minimise the risk of failure (including coating and weld inspection) 

• Regularly monitor and maintain the pipelines through smart pigging to prevent failures. 

• Install a cathodic protection system and maintain in good order. 

• Regularly inspect the pipeline corridor to detect anything that could damage the pipeline. 


• Avoid drilling through sand bodies, as far as possible. 

• Maximise the vertical distance between pipelines and the Zanderij aquifer (aim for 10 m or more). 

• Maintain a minimum distance of 200 m from drinking water wells along the pipeline route. 

• Aim to leave a layer of bentonite in the drill hole to act as further sealant for the pipeline. 

• Monitor and compare product volumes entering and exiting the pipelines for indications of lost product. 

• Ensure adequate spill response measures are included in the Emergency Response Plan. 

• Notify MAS and adjacent landowners immediately in the event of a spill. 

• Ensure adequate spill containment and response equipment are available, including oil booms and oil spill 

dispersants. 

• Ensure all relevant staff are trained in the requirements of the Emergency Response Plan and in the use of spill 

containment and response equipment. 

With 

mitigation 

Local 

1 

Medium 

2 

Short-term 

1 

Very low 

4 




6.8 Cumulative impacts 

Anthropogenic activities can result in numerous and complex effects on the natural and social 

environment. While many of these are direct and immediate, the environmental effects of individual 

activities (or projects) can combine and interact with other activities in time and space to cause 

incremental or aggregate effects. Effects from disparate activities may accumulate or interact to 

cause additional effects that may not be apparent when assessing the individual activities one at a 

time (Canadian Environmental Protection Agency, no date). 

The IFC Procedure for Environmental and Social Review of Projects (IFC, 1998) states that 

environmental assessment should include consideration of “… cumulative impacts of existing 

projects, the proposed project and anticipated future projects.” For the purposes of this report, 

cumulative impacts are defined as ‘direct and indirect impacts that act together with current or 

future potential impacts of other activities or proposed activities in the area/region that affect 

the same resources and/or receptors’. 

6.8.1 Cumulative impacts of existing activities 

It is reasonably straightforward to identify significant past and present projects and activities that may 

interact with the project to produce cumulative impacts, and in many respects, these are taken into 

account in the descriptions of the biophysical and socio-economic baseline. 

The main potential impacts of this project, though very limited, occur during the construction phase 

and affect water and habitats as well as employment and traffic. Existing activities that currently 

affect the above aspects, and which therefore determine the cumulative impact of all activities, are 

discussed in Sections 4.1 and 4.2. 

As most of the impacts associated with the pipelines are of very low or no significance, the pipelines 

project is not expected make a significant additional contribution to existing impacts on the 

biophysical and socio-economic resources in the study area. 

6.8.2 Potential cumulative impacts of future activities 

Relevant future projects that are included in the assessment are defined as being those that are 

‘reasonably foreseeable’, i.e. those that have a high probability of coming to pass in the foreseeable 

future; speculation is not sufficient reason for inclusion. 

For the most part, cumulative effects or aspects thereof are too uncertain to be quantifiable, mainly 

due to lack of (accurate) data. This is particularly true of cumulative effects arising from potential or 

future projects, the design or details of which may not be finalised or available and the direct and 

indirect impacts of which have not yet been assessed. 

In this particular case, however, one important future project that will determine cumulative impacts 

is the Staatsolie Refinery Expansion project, which the pipelines will service, and the potential 

expansion of the SPCS power plant. The refinery expansion is currently underway, and potential 

impacts of the project are well understood from the EIA that was undertaken for the project in 

2009/10. 

Generally, the following cumulative impacts were identified for the Refinery Expansion Project: 

• Further alteration of the landscape (visual quality and sense of place) and reinforcement of the 

long term trend to urbanisation; 

• Acceleration of the deterioration of ambient air quality in the vicinity of the refinery; 

• Increase in the ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the refinery site; 



• Increase in the number of employed persons, and hence those earning wages and salaries, 

during the construction phase of the project, leading to a likely increase in average household 

incomes and levels of disposable income and an improvement in the local standard of living; 

• Pollution of water resources (though with a minimal contribution by the Refinery Expansion 

Project); and 

• Increase in nuisance impacts such as light pollution and increased traffic on the roads and the 

Suriname River. 

Very limited detail is available regarding other future developments. However, it is considered highly 

likely that residential and industrial / commercial areas will continue to expand, bringing with it further 

intensification of the trends identified in the list above. 

As most of the impacts associated with the pipelines are of very low or no significance, the pipeline 

project is not expected to make a significant additional contribution to future cumulative impacts in 

the study area. The project itself is also not expected to be a catalyst for future development, as it is 

only intended and capable of supplying the refinery at this stage, unless any spare capacity in the 

pipeline will be used for further future expansion of refinery production or gasoline distribution in 

Suriname. However, such projects would be driven by demand in Suriname rather than pipeline 

capacity. 

6.9 Management Plans 

If and when the proposed project is approved and the necessary permits granted, construction of 

infrastructure will commence, followed by operational activities. It is critical that mechanisms are in 

place before each project stage begins to ensure that the recommendations and mitigation 

measures contained in the EIA Report are fully and effectively implemented. Typically, a customised 

management plan is the mechanism through which these measures are implemented. 

The preparation of management plans is also consistent with the EA Guidelines published by 

NIMOS, which require, inter alia, that EIA reports should include: 

(8) Proposed Mitigation Measures or an Environmental Management Plan (EMP); 

(11) Follow Up & Monitoring Plan; and 

(12) Decommissioning Plan. 

Two management plans will be developed by SRK as part of the EIA process, discussed in more 

detail below: 

• An EMMP; and 

• A Conceptual Decommissioning Plan. 

The management plans will be released to stakeholders for comment together with the Draft EIA 

Report before being finalised. It is however important to recognise that management plans in general 

are living documents that will need to be periodically reviewed and updated even after their initial 

completion. 

6.9.1 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan 

The objective of the EMMP is to set out the management and monitoring measures required to both 

minimise any potentially adverse environmental impacts and enhance the environmental benefits of 

the expansion project. A further objective of the EMMP is to ensure that responsibilities and 

appropriate resources are efficiently allocated to implement the plan. By formally documenting 

environmental management measures and commitments, the EMMP serves a vital role in ensuring 



that potential impacts of the project are minimised, and that the significance of those impacts is as 

predicted by the EIA process. 

Management and monitoring measures were developed from the recommendations and mitigation 

measures listed in the EIA Report (Section 6). The tables with mitigation measures relevant to the 

pipelines project are contained in the tables below. The measures in the EMMP are structured to 

facilitate their incorporation into tender documents and ease of on-site implementation. 

The mitigation measures should be implemented within the framework provided in the EMMP 

developed for the Refinery Expansion Project (SRK Report No. 398251/8, January 2010). That 

EMMP lays out a structure for the implementation of measures and the monitoring of and reporting 

on environmental performance. Generally, the EMMP is a living document and environmental 

management must be reviewed and adapted throughout the construction phase and lifetime of the 

pipeline to respond to specific operational circumstances. 

Mitigation measures apply to the following three phases of the pipelines project: 

• Design Phase: These measures relate to the detailed layout, planning and design of the 

pipelines and their alignment and associated infrastructure. They will largely be implemented by 

the planning and development team, prior to the commencement of any physical on-site 

activities. These mitigation measures are presented in Table 6-14. 

• Construction Phase: These mitigation measures are applicable during site preparation and 

laying of the pipelines. They must be implemented by the relevant contractors and subcontractors. 

These mitigation measures are presented in Table 6-15. 

• Operations Phase: These mitigation measures are applicable during the long-term operation of 

the pipelines and must be implemented by the relevant Staatsolie management team. These 

mitigation measures are presented in Table 6-16. 



Table 6-14: Project-specific management and mitigation measures that must be implemented during the design phase 

Design phase mitigation measures 

Aspect ID Mitigation measure / Procedure Responsible Implementation 

timeframe 

Alignment 1. • Survey the proposed pipeline route prior to the commencement of 

drilling to understand the: 

- Ground composition along the entire route; 

- Depth of aquifers; and 

- Location and depth of structures on the riverbank, e.g. jetties and 

their piles. 

2. • Plan the alignment of the drill path to stay within the clay layer where 

possible, and stay clear of the Zanderij aquifer underlying the pipeline 

corridor. 

3. • Plan drill path with sufficient margin of error to avoid drilling too close 

to structures on the riverside. 

Pipeline design 4. • Design pipelines to minimise the risk of rupture or leakage, e.g. 

through: 

- Sufficient pipeline thickness, potentially adjusted for the depth at 

which individual sections will be lying; 

- Coating of the pipelines. 

5. • Afford extra protection to pipeline section located shallow or above 

ground. 

6. • Comply with relevant international standards for pipeline design. 

7. • Aim to design permanent structures (such as drill pads) to be as 

unobtrusive as possible, e.g. low in height and with natural contours / 

colours. 

• Surveyor, appointed 

by Staatsolie Project 

Manager 

• Contractor, in 

consultation with 

Staatsolie Project 

Manager 




Manager 




Manager 




Manager 

Monitoring methods Performance indicators 

• Before construction • Review of survey report • Availability of sufficiently 

detailed survey report 

• Before construction • Review planned 

alignment 

• Before construction • Review planned 

alignment 

• Alignment stays well clear 

of aquifer 

• Alignment stays clear of 

structures 

• Before construction • Review plans • Compliance with 

international standards 

and requirements 

• Before construction • Review plans 



Table 6-15: Project-specific management and mitigation measures that must be implemented during the construction phase 

Construction phase mitigation measures 

Aspect ID Mitigation measure / Procedure Responsible Implementation timeframe Monitoring methods Performance indicators 

Preconstruction 

Construction 

sites 

1. • Inform jetty owners and users before drilling occurs in the section 

where the jetty / structure is located. 

• Discuss backup plans with jetty owners whose jetties are located 

close to an entry / exit point and who make regular use of their jetties. 

2. • Inform adjacent residents and business owners at least one month 

before construction activities will start in a particular section. 

3. • Undertake awareness training to ensure that all staff are aware of 

environmental management of construction activities and the 

stipulations of the EMMP, particularly: 

- Spill protocols (fuel and drilling mud) and emergency procedures; 

- Run-off management; and 

- Waste management. 

• Consider implementing a penalty system if required, e.g. contractors 

are liable for the remediation of sites they pollute and, in the case of 

repeat offences, consider issuing a stop work order. 

4. • Ensure that access to construction sites is restricted and sign-posted. 

• Control access to all working areas such that only approved vehicles 

and persons have access. 

5. • Ensure that the site office, toilets and storage areas for building 

materials are located at least 50 m away from the river. 

6. • Avoid damage to natural areas that fall outside of the direct 

construction footprint, e.g. through the careful placement of laydown 

areas, construction camps, stockpiles etc on currently disturbed 

areas, as far as possible. 

7. • Ensure that storage and laydown areas are appropriately bunded to 

prevent runoff from these areas towards canals or the river. 

• Staatsolie 

Project Manager 

• Before drilling in the 

relevant section 

• All contractors • Regularly, throughout 

construction 

• At regular toolbox talks 

• All contractors 

operating sites 

• When new personnel 

comes on site 

• Keep a record of 

attendance at all training 

sessions 

• Record of meetings and 

interactions 

• Training records 

• Awareness of staff 

• Throughout construction • Security and entry logs • Number of breaches of 

access restrictions 

• Review site layout • Suitable distance 

• Visual inspection of areas 

surrounding construction 

site 

• Visual inspection of areas 

surrounding construction 

site 

8. • Keep a copy of the EMMP at each construction site. • Check availability of 

EMMP 

9. • Keep construction sites tidy and all activities, material and machinery 

contained within an area that is as small as possible. 

• Screen construction sites and camps that are established for longer 

periods of time with materials that blend into the surrounding area. 

10. • Keep sufficient fire fighting equipment on site at all times, especially 

where activities such as welding are performed. 

• Impact on natural areas 

• Bund in place 

• No runoff observed from 

site or in adjacent areas / 

water bodies 

• Visual inspection of site • Construction site relatively 

non-intrusive visually 

• Check availability of fire 

fighting equipment 





Hazardous 

materials 

Transportation 

and refuelling 

Construction 

near / in the 

Suriname River 

11. • Design and construct hazardous material storage facilities, especially 

fuel storage, with suitable impermeable materials and a minimum 

bund containment capacity equal to 110% of the largest container. 

12. • Locate hazardous material storage facilities, especially fuel storage, 

as far as practically possible from the Suriname River and canals. 

13. • Ensure that contaminants (including cement) are not placed directly 

on the ground (e.g. mix cement on plastic sheeting). 

14. • Develop (or adapt and implement) procedures for the safe transport, 

handling and storage of potential pollutants. 

15. • Avoid unnecessary use and transport of hazardous substances. 

16. • Keep Material Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous materials on site 

and ensure that they are available for reference by staff responsible 

for handling and storage of materials. 

17. • Undertake regular maintenance of vehicles and machinery to identify 

and repair minor leaks and prevent equipment failures. 

18. • Undertake any on-site refueling and maintenance of 

vehicles/machinery in designated areas. Line these areas with an 

impermeable clay surface and install oil traps. 

19. • Use appropriately sized drip trays for all refueling and/or repairs done 

on machinery – ensure these are strategically placed to capture any 

spillage of fuel, oil, etc. 

20. • Ensure that boats and barges do not release pollutants into the water 

and have adequate mooring or anchoring facilities. 

21. • Ensure compliance with international safety standards in barge and 

tanker operations. 

22. • Clean up any spills immediately, through containment and removal of 

free product and appropriate disposal of contaminated soils 

23. • Keep spill containment and clean-up equipment at all work sites and 

for all polluting materials used at the site. 

• All contractors • Throughout construction • Visual inspection of 

hazardous materials 

handling and storage 

areas 

• All contractors • Throughout construction • Visual inspection of 

vehicles, barges, 

machinery and 

refueling/maintenance 

areas 

• Number of incidents of 

non-compliance with 

safety procedures 

concerning hazardous 

materials, including waste 

materials 

• Number of spills of 

hazardous materials, 

including waste materials 

• Cost of cleaning up spills 

• Evidence of contamination 

and leaks 

• Number of incidents of 

non-compliance 

• Number of leaks and spills 


24. • Avoid removal of vegetation until soil stripping is required. • All contractors • Throughout construction • Visual inspection of • Areas not being worked in 

construction site and are vegetated 

25. • Stabilise exposed surfaces if required to avoid soil erosion. 

surrounding / downstream 

land and river areas • Visible erosion 

26. • Avoid dumping of material on, or within 50 m of, the Suriname River 

and canals. 

• Indication of dumping in 

water bodies 





27. • Limit construction activities near the river to the dry season, if 

possible. 

28. • Avoid any discharge of effluents or polluted water into the river or 

canals. 

• Contain contaminated stormwater runoff and all wastewater 

generated from construction areas and treat prior to discharge as far 

as practicable. 

• Motivation for construction 

during wet season 

• Indication of runoff into 

water bodies 

• Indication of pollution of / 

discharge into water 

bodies 

• Presence of stormwater 

containment 

29. • Avoid washing of vehicles and machinery near the river or canals. • Dedicated wash place 

HDD 30. • Ensure that drill entry / exit pits are bunded to prevent stormwater 

from entering the pits and to retain all drilling mud within the pits, 

preventing leakage into the surrounding area / the Suriname River. 

31. • Keep spill response equipment on site at a readily accessible location 

and in good working order. 

32. • Closely monitor drilling pressures and penetration rates. Ensure that 

mud pressure is optimal to penetrate the formation. 

• Monitor drilling at shallow depth particularly carefully, e.g. close the 

drill entry and exit points. 

33. • Visually monitor the areas around the drilling site for signs of drilling 

mud leakage, especially while drilling shallower sections near the 

entry / exit points. 

34. • Compare the estimated and actual volume of drilling mud returns, to 

detect escaping mud. 

35. • Cease drilling operations if returns of drilling mud decrease or if a 

surface release of drilling mud is detected, to determine what actions 

need to be taken, in line with stipulations in the EMMP and the spill 

response plan. 

36. • Identify the location of a frac-out over several hours to determine if 

the drilling mud congeals (bentonite will usually harden, effectively 

sealing the frac-out location). 

37. • Draft a spill response plan that lays out steps to be followed in the 

event of spills and frac-outs and contact details of personnel qualified 

to deal with such situation. 

• HDD contractor • Throughout drilling 

operations 

• Record of monitoring and 

incidences 

• Visually inspect drill entry 

and exit sites and areas 

along the drill path 

• Check availability of spill 

response plan 

• Indication of runoff into 

water bodies 

• Number of incidents 

• Number of work 

stoppages 


• Designated monitoring 

person 

• Compliance with 






Noise and air 

emissions 

Waste 

management 

38. • Consider staggering the planned release of the surplus drilling mud 

over time, and at different locations, preferably in fast-flowing 

conditions and deeper river sections to aid the rapid dispersion of the 

bentonite. 

• Monitor first release of drilling mud and evaluate observations 

regarding dispersion rate and any observable impacts on aquatic life 

to improve subsequent release methods. 

• If significant impacts on aquatic life become apparent, identify 

alternative methods of drilling mud disposal. 

39. • Consider disposing of at least some surplus drilling mud on land. 

40. • Continuously monitor the position of the drill head relative to river side 

structures. 

• Stop operations and realign drill path if it gets too close to piles. 

41. • Investigate requirements to allow for the compensation of businesses 

if they are affected by damage to their jetties as a result of driling. 

42. • Limit the use of heavy machinery and construction activities 

associated with high noise levels to 07h00 to 19h00 from Mondays to 

Saturdays, particularly where residential areas or sensitive institutions 

are situated close to the road. 

• Notify any nearby residents if construction work is planned outside of 

those times. 

43. • Reduce airborne dust at construction sites through e.g.: 

- Damping dust-generating areas with freshwater; 

- Use of cloth or brush-barrier fences; and 

- Covering dumps or stockpiles of lose material with plastic sheeting 

or netting, especially during windy conditions. 

• Apply appropriate measures to suppress dust generated by 

construction vehicles on dirt roads that service the construction sites. 

44. • Maintain all generators, vehicles, vessels and other equipment in 

good working order to minimise exhaust fumes and excess noise. 

45. • If complaints regarding noise are received from residents, consider 

installing partial screening around the noisiest activities and/or 

mufflers on noisy equipment. 

46. • Develop a waste management plan or implement the waste 

management plan applied to the entire Refinery Expansion Project. 

47. • Aim to minimise waste through reducing and re-using (packaging) 

material. 


operating 

machinery 

• Before and at each 

planned release of surplus 

drilling mud 

• Throughout drilling 

operations 

• Discussion of planned 

release with Staatsolie 

project manager 

• Keep written and 

photographic record of 

each release 

• Record of incidences and 

any compensation 

• Throughout construction • Visual assessment of dust 

plumes 

• Random machinery 

checks 

• Staatsolie • Before site establishment • Availability of plan 

• All contractors • Throughout construction • Visual inspection of waste 

collection and disposal 

• Extent of silt plume in river 

• Rate of dispersion 

• Smothered animals or 

plants 

• Number of registered 

complaints 

• Number of days that dust 

plumes are visible 

• Visibility of dust coming off 

construction site 

• Dust mitigation measures 

in place 

• Presence of litter 





River and road 

traffic 

management 

48. • Collect all waste in bins and/or skips at the construction site. 

• Prevent littering by construction staff at work sites by providing bins 

or waste bags in sufficient locations. 

49. • Provide separate bins for hazardous / polluting materials and mark 

these clearly. 

• Store hazardous / polluting materials on impermeable ground until it 

is disposed of / collected. 

50. • Dispose of waste appropriately to prevent pollution of soil and 

groundwater. 

51. • Collect recyclables separately if facilities exist to process these. 

• Delivery recyclables to suitable facilities or arrange for collection. 

52. • Do not allow any burning or burying of waste on site. 

53. • Re-use drilling mud as much as possible, also between drill sites, to 

minimise waste mud. 

54. • Manage construction sites and activities so as to minimise impacts on 

road traffic as far as possible, e.g.: 

- Attempt to arrange delivery of materials when it will least disrupt 

traffic; 

- Keep construction materials and machinery at the construction site 

throughout the construction period, where possible. 

55. • Ensure that all safety measures are observed and that drivers comply 

with the rules of the road. 

56. • Attempt to maximise the occupancy rate of vehicles to minimise the 

number of required vehicles. 

• Encourage personnel to carpool when driving to and from the site. 

57. • Ensure compliance with international and national (MAS) safety 

standards and procedures for barge and tanker operations. 

58. • Inform all potentially affected parties of any restrictions to road and 

river use. 

• Clearly mark areas to which restrictions apply. 

• HDD contractor • Throughout drilling 

operation 


operating 

vehicles or 

barges 



Employment 59. • Consider maximising the employment of local workers. • Staatsolie 

Project Director 


areas 

• Visual inspection of 

construction areas (litter) 

• Visual inspection of mud 

recycling plant 

• Throughout construction • Keep record of incidences 

and complaints 

• 2 weeks before 

restrictions become 

effective 

• Availability of rubbish bins 

and skips 

• Degree to which rubbish 

bins and skips are filled 

• Degree to which different 

waste is separated 

• Frequency of waste 

collection 

• Area of land used for 

waste 

• Discarding of drilling mud 

during drill operation 

• Overall volume of drilling 

mud used 

• Number of incidences and 

complaints 

• Keep record of vehicles • Number of vehicles 

travelling to site each day 

• Number of trips 

• Inspection of required 

papers 


vessels 

• Keep record of 

communications 

• Throughout construction • Keep record of employed 

staff split by origin 

• Availability of all required 

papers and certificates 

• Condition of vessels 

• Frequency and type of 

restrictions 

• Number of incidents and 

complaints 

• Number of Suriname 

nationals employed




Community 

interaction 

Construction 

site 

rehabilitation 

60. • Work closely with the local community to identify and communicate 

required skills and resources that the local community could provide. 

61. • Consider implementing labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive 

work methods wherever possible. 

62. • Consider purchasing resources from Surinamese sources wherever 

possible. 

63. • Consider giving preference to qualified Surinamese nationals when 

filling vacancies. 

64. • Develop a communication policy and mechanism that allows local 

communities to raise issues and concerns to Staatsolie. 

65. • Develop a company policy on interaction between migrant 

construction workers and the host communities. 

66. • Provide construction workers living in camps with an induction and 

clear guidance on community interaction. 

67. • Maintain a complaints register. 

68. • Remove all building materials and obsolete structures from the site 

after construction. 

69. • Ensure soil stability by e.g. re-profiling or re-vegetating the site or 

using stabilisation measures such as geotextiles if required and 

possible. 

70. • Check the site for contaminated soil. 

• Treat any contaminated soil with remediation products. 




Project Director 


operating sites 

• Throughout construction • Keep record of inductions 

and complaints. 

• At end of construction 

activities in any one 

section 

• Visual inspection of site 

by Staatsolie Project 

Manager before site 

hand-over to Staatsolie / 

land owner 

• If required, sampling of 

portions of the site to 

determine contamination 

• Keep records of clean-up 

activities / disposal of 

contaminated material 

• Availability of 

communications policy 

• Awareness of policy 

• Number of noncompliances 

with policy 

• Availability of complaints 

register on site 

• Number of complaints or 

compliments received 

• Material and structures 

remaining on site and in 

adjacent areas 

• Contamination of soil (e.g. 

discoloration, test results) 

• Indications of erosion 



Table 6-16: Project-specific management and mitigation measures that must be implemented during operations 

Operations phase mitigation measures 


Timeframe 

Pipeline 

maintenance 

Leak 

prevention 

1. • Develop and implement a pipeline monitoring programme 

in line with international standards. 

2. • Ensure that the structural integrity of the pipeline is 

regularly monitored, e.g. through pigging. 

3. • Maintain the cathodic protection system of the pipelines in 

working order at all times. 

4. • Perform regular internal and external audits of the pipeline 

monitoring programme to ensure it is implemented 

effectively. 

5. • Develop (or adapt and implement) a detailed pipeline spill 

management prevention and response plan for the various 

products conveyed through the pipelines, addressing: 

- Pipeline and product monitoring systems; 

- Notification and reporting procedures; 

- Investigation procedures; 

- Measures to halt the spill; 

- Spill containment and removal procedures; and 

- Clean up procedures. 

6. • Operate pipelines in line with international standards and 

design criteria to minimise the risk of pipeline failure. 

7. • Ensure that product flow is continuously monitored, to 

detect and ensure no produce is lost due to leakage. 

8. • Consider installing monitoring wells / boreholes above the 

shallow sections of the pipelines, which are exposed to the 

greatest stresses, to periodically monitor soil for any 

leakages. 

9. • Ensure staff is adequately trained in the operation of the 

pipeline. 

• Conduct regular spill response exercises. 

• Staatsolie Refining 

Operations Manager 



• Before pipeline 

becomes operational 

Monitoring Methods Performance Indicators 

• Review monitoring 

programme 

• Throughout operations • Regularly review 

pigging schedule and 

results 

• Before pipeline 

becomes operational 

• Regularly review 

system 

• Regularly review audit 

reports and schedule 

• Throughout operations • Regular review of 

operations 



• Capacity to implement 

programme 

• Problems identified 

• Functionality of system 

• Compliance with audit 

schedule 

• Outcome of audits 

• Review plan • Compliance with 


• Regularly review logs of 

pipeline operation 

• Capacity to implement 

plan 

• Number and type of 

incidents 

• Volume of product lost 

• Result of investigation 

• Inspect monitoring wells • Results from wells 

• Review training 

schedule 

• Keep attendance 

registers and results 


standards 

• Percentage of staff 

adequately trained 



Operations phase mitigation measures 


Timeframe 

Pipeline 

corridor 

management 

10. • Monitor compliance with any temporary and permanent 

restrictions to land and river use along the pipeline 

corridor. 

11. • Clearly mark all terrestrial areas to which temporary and 

permanent restrictions apply. 

12. • Routinely check areas where shallow sections of the 

pipelines are located for erosion, subsidence and 

exposure of the pipelines or protection plate. 

13. • Control vegetation in areas where shallow sections of the 

pipelines are located to prevent damage from roots. 

14. • Securely fence above-ground facilities associated with 

pipeline operations, if any. 



• Throughout operations • Visual inspection of 

corridor 

Monitoring Methods Performance Indicators 

• Number and type of 

activities within corridor 

that do not comply with 

requirements 

• Corrective actions 

undertaken 



6.9.2 Conceptual Decommissioning Plan 

The objective of the Conceptual Decommissioning Plan is to provide recommendations for the 

decommissioning of the pipeline and rehabilitation of the area at the end of the operational lifespan 

of the project, to achieve sustainable land use conditions and avoid or minimise costs and long term 

liabilities to Staatsolie. 

The method of decommissioning is likely to vary between above-ground and underground pipeline 

sections. As such, it is expected that: 

• Above-ground sections of the pipelines will be removed upon decommissioning. This is expected 

to involve the depressurising and purging of the pipeline, physical removal of the pipe and all 

associated structures and rehabilitation of the pipeline corridor. Maintenance of the corridor is 

discontinued; and 

• Underground sections of the pipelines will be abandoned in situ, as international best practice 

recognises that removing pipelines from the ground is unlikely to be a commercially or 

environmentally viable option (APIA, 2009). This is expected to involve the physical 

disconnection, purging, cleaning and sealing (capping) of the pipelines. The pipe would then be 

left to corrode and biodegrade in situ 39 . 

The plan recommends measures to implement during the following three phases of the pipelines 

project: 

• Operations Phase: These measures relate to the minimisation of closure costs (e.g. through 

ongoing containment of pollutants) and the successful planning of decommissioning. 

• Decommissioning Phase: These measures are applicable during the decommissioning of the 

pipelines project or individual pipelines to minimise residual impacts on the environment. 

• Post closure: These measures include potential monitoring requirements, where appropriate, 

following the decommissioning of the pipelines project or individual pipelines to monitor any 

residual impacts on the environment post closure, based on information available at the time of 

compiling the plan. 

These measures are presented in Table 6-17. 

39 Any ground subsidence due to the long term structural deterioration of a pipeline abandoned in place is considered unlikely 

to be a critical issue by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, as a structural failure due to corrosion may take 

many decades and significant lengths of pipeline would not collapse at the same time. Ground subsidence would be negligible 

for pipelines up to 232.9mm in diameters. Filling with an inert material may be appropriate at critical locations (e.g. 

infrastructure crossings). This will need to be determined in consultation with the relevant authorities at the time of 

decommissioning and take into account the long term plans for the pipeline (APIA, 2009). 



Table 6-17: Measures recommended for decommissioning 

Aspect ID Measure / Procedure Responsible Implementation 

timeframe 

OPERATIONS PHASE 

Minimise 

decommissioning 

costs 

Determine 


requirements 

1. • Ensure that the pipelines are well maintained. • Staatsolie Refining 

2. • Ensure that any spills are addressed and cleaned up 

immediately. 


3. • Keep maintenance and monitoring data to facilitate a review 

of the operational history of the pipelines to inform 

decommissioning. 

4. • Maintain an inventory of existing equipment and hazardous 

materials used. Use information on operational history to 

determine potentially contaminated areas. 

5. • Undertake soil and groundwater sampling where the 

possibility of contamination is suspected. Dispose of 

contaminated soil / mark contaminated areas appropriately. 

6. • Determine the potential ecological and health implications of 

contaminated areas and inform the relevant authorities 

accordingly. 

7. • Initiate consultation with key stakeholders (e.g. relevant 

authorities, affected landowners) before any planned 

decommissioning to discuss potential decommissioning 

options and methods. 

8. • Determine other potential commercial uses for the pipelines 

(and infrastructure) to be decommissioned (e.g. use for other 

products / by other operators). 

9. • Identify and assess any potential environmental and societal 

risks associated with the standard assumed method of 

decommissioning (removal of above-ground pipes and 

abandonment in situ of underground pipes). 

10. • Address potentially significant environmental and societal 

risks by amending the proposed method of decommissioning 

to prevent any significant adverse impacts. 

11. • Review operational history of the pipeline(s) to be 

decommissioned. 



• Throughout 

operations 

• Approximately 1 

year before planned 


• Approximately 6 

months before 

planned 



• As per EMMP • As per EMMP 

• Regularly review that 

data and backups 

thereof are kept 

• Review inventory 

protocol and results 

• Review test protocol 

and results 

• Continuity of data 

• Number of areas 

investigated 

• Number of areas 

identified as polluted 

• Success of 

remediation 

• Cost of remediation 

• Review study • Risks identified 

• Monthly review of 

progress 

• Number of 

stakeholders notified 

• Completion of relevant 

milestones 




timeframe 

DECOMMISSIONING PHASE 

12. • Prepare a detailed Decommissioning Plan, laying out the: 

- Decommissioning objectives; 

- Decommissioning procedures; 

- Environmental and social implications of 

decommissioning; 

- Implementation strategy, including stakeholder 

engagement; and 

- Waste management, including opportunities to reuse or 

recycle material. 

13. • Identify areas where subsidence of an abandoned pipeline 

cannot be tolerated (e.g. infrastructure crossings) and might 

require filling the pipeline with an inert material to prevent 

subsidence. 

Pipe cleaning 14. • Notify relevant authorities and adjacent land owners before 

decommissioning activities commence. 

Waste 

management and 

pollution 

remediation 

15. • Vent and clean the pipeline that is to be decommissioned to 

prevent future leakage of hydrocarbons into the environment 

or build-up of gases. 

16. • Clean and purge all associated equipment before 

disconnecting or removing it. 

17. • Ensure that product removed from the pipeline during 

decommissioning cleaning is used or disposed of 

appropriately. 

18. • Ensure that water (or any other substance used to clean the 

pipe) is treated and tested for hydrocarbons before being 

discharged or disposed of. 

19. • Reuse and, if that is not possible, recycle as much of the 

removed material as possible. Disposal of material should be 

a last resort, and done so as to prevent pollution of the 

environment. 

Rehabilitation 20. • Rehabilitate areas where surface disturbance took place as 

part of the pipeline decommissioning (e.g. through removal of 

surface equipment or pipeline). 

21. • Based on the investigations undertaken prior to 

decommissioning, consider filling the pipeline with e.g. 

cement slurry or other appropriate material to prevent 

subsidence where appropriate. 

Alternatively, consider maintaining the cathodic protection of 

the pipeline to prevent corrosion and collapse thereof. 



or as determined in 

detailed 

Decommissioning 

Plan 




detailed 


Plan 




detailed 


Plan 

• Before 


activities start 

• At the start of 


• Throughout 


• After 



• Review notifications 

sent 

• Regular review of 

progress 

• Review disposal 

procedures 

• Review test protocol 

and results 

• Review disposal 

procedures 


those areas 

• Review requirements 

of detailed 

Decommissioning Plan 

• Number of 

stakeholders notified 

• Completion of relevant 

milestones 

• Result of tests 

• Incidents of 

contamination 

• Cost of clean up 

• Amount of material 

reused/recycled vs. 

disposed 

• Success of 

rehabilitation 




timeframe 

22. • Notify relevant authorities and adjacent land owners when 

decommissioning and rehabilitation are completed. 


• Review notifications 

sent 

General 23. • Provide adjacent landowners with contact details to register • Staatsolie Refining • Before the end of 

any observations and complaints following decommissioning. Operations Manager decommissioning 

24. • Clarify issues of residual liability before relinquishment. 


detailed 


Plan 

• Review results of 

study. 

POST CLOSURE 

Monitoring 25. • Monitor or audit abandoned pipeline(s) for a specified period 

following decommissioning as agreed with the authorities for: 

- Subsidence 

- Rehabilitation success 

- Any other aspects, as agreed with relevant parties 




detailed 


Plan 

• After 

decommissioning / 

rehabilitation for a 

period as agreed 

• Review monitoring 

protocol, progress and 

results 

• Completion of all 

requirements 



7 Conclusions and recommendations 

Pipelines are generally considered relatively safe and efficient conduits for fuel and are used 

worldwide under a wide range of conditions. The proposed Staatsolie pipeline is relatively smallscale 

compared to the major oil and gas pipelines and will be laid underground along most of its 

length. Consequently, the proposed Staatsolie pipeline is predicted to have few and limited impacts, 

which can be effectively mitigated. 

The EIA has examined the available project design information and drawn mainly on available 

(secondary) baseline data to identify and evaluate environmental (biophysical and socio-economic) 

impacts of the proposed Staatsolie pipelines. The EIA Report aims to inform decision-makers of the 

key considerations by providing an objective and comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts 

and benefits of the project and has created a platform for the formulation of mitigation measures to 

manage these impacts. 

This chapter presents the general conclusions that have been drawn from the EIA process and 

which should be considered in evaluating the project. It should be viewed as a supplement to the 

detailed assessment of individual impacts presented in Chapter 6. 

7.1 Principal findings 

There are a number of minor or less significant impacts associated with the pipeline. If 

recommended mitigation measures are adopted, these impacts are not expected to be significant 

nor long-term. They include groundwater, visual, air quality, noise and vibration, land and river use 

and climate change impacts. 

A summary evaluation of the potentially significant impacts that will result from the proposed project 

is presented below. Table 7-1 summarises the potentially significant impacts and their significance 

ratings before and after application of mitigation and/or optimisation measures. Relevant 

observations with regard to these impacts are: 

• Impacts on surface water quality in the Suriname River are most likely the result of construction 

activities, notably the planned disposal of surplus drilling mud into the Suriname River and runoff 

of sediments or contaminated water from construction sites. Impacts on water quality are 

expected to be limited due to the tidal nature of the river (resulting in vigorous mixing and dilution 

capacity), the expected small volume of pollutants and the absence of sensitive habitats in the 

area; 

• Impacts on terrestrial and aquatic habitat quality will be confined to the construction phase 

when vegetation clearing for drill pads and assembly areas and filling of land to extend drill pads 

into the river will occur. Impacts on habitat quality are expected to be limited as construction sites 

are very smalland located in highly disturbed areas of no conservation value; 

• The project will generate only limited employment. It is not expected that new employment will 

be created by the pipeline construction. Rather, existing employment at the contracted firms will 

be supported. Indirect employment generated through the (local) purchase of materials and 

services and expenditure in the local community is expected to be small; and 

• The movement of construction vehicles, laying out of pipeline strings in the river and the 

transport of construction materials, equipment and workers to and from the work sites may affect 

road and river traffic. However, the impact is considered limited as additional (local) road traffic 

due to the pipeline construction is expected to be minimal, and river-based activities related to 

the pipeline project are only locally restricted for short periods of time. 



The EIA also considered the impacts of possible non-routine events, or “risks”, such as the 

accidental release of drilling mud during construction (frac-out) and the accidental release of 

hydrocarbons due to pipeline rupture or leakage. The significance of these impacts, should an 

incident take place, was assessed and deemed to be very low following the implementation of 

recommended mitigation measures. 

Table 7-1: Summary of potential impacts resulting from the Refinery Expansion Project 

Impact 

POTENTIAL IMPACTS 

Surface water pollution 

due to construction 

activities 

Loss or deterioration of 

terrestrial and aquatic 

habitat due to 

construction activities 

Significance rating * 

Before 

mitigation 

Very Low 

Low 

After 

mitigation 

Insignificant 

Very Low 

Employment creation Very Low Very Low 

Disruption of road and 

river traffic 

Very Low 

Very Low 

Key mitigation/optimisation measures 

• Consider staggering release of the surplus drilling mud 

over time, and at different locations, preferably in fastflowing 

conditions and deeper river sections to aid the 

rapid dispersion of the bentonite. 

• Consider disposing of some surplus drilling mud on land. 

• Comply with Project effluent quality standards for 

stormwater discharge. 

• Develop (or adapt and implement) procedures for the safe 

transport, handling and storage of potential pollutants. 

• Design and construct hazardous material storage facilities, 

especially fuel storage, with suitable impermeable 

materials and a minimum bund containment capacity 

equal to 110% of the largest container. 

• Ensure all on-site staff is trained in the use of spill 

prevention measures. 

• Minimise landtake and associated vegetation clearing / 

filling in the river. 

• Avoid disturbance to areas outside of construction areas 

as far as possible. 

• Consider maximising the employment of local workers and 

formalise this policy in Staatsolie’s HR guidelines and 

contracts. 

• Work closely with the local community to identify and 

communicate required skills and resources that the local 

community could provide. 

• Consider implementing labour-intensive rather than 

capital-intensive work methods wherever possible. 

• Consider purchasing resources from Surinamese sources 

wherever possible. 

• Attempt to time the transportation of construction workers 

and materials to avoid peak traffic hours as far as 

possible. 

• Ensure compliance with international and national (MAS) 

safety standards and procedures for barge and tanker 

operations. 

POTENTIAL RISKS (note: rating reflects impact significance should an incident take place) 

Accidental release of 

drilling mud during 

construction (frac-out) 

Low 

Very Low 

To reduce the probability of an incident (does not affect 

significance rating): 

• Monitor drilling pressures and penetration rates. Ensure 

that mud pressure is optimal to penetrate the formation. 


• Visually monitor the areas around the drilling site for signs 

of drilling mud leakage, especially while drilling shallower 

sections near the entry / exit points. 

• Compare the estimated and actual volume of drilling mud 

returns, to detect escaping mud. 

• Cease drilling operations if returns of drilling mud 

decrease or if a surface release of drilling mud is detected, 

to determine what actions need to be taken, in line with 

stipulations in the EMP and the spill response plan. 



Impact 

Accidental release of 

hydrocarbons due to 

pipeline rupture or 

leakage 

Significance rating * 

Before 

mitigation 

Medium 

After 

mitigation 

Very Low 

Key mitigation/optimisation measures 

To reduce the probability of an incident (does not affect 

significance rating): 

• Design the pipelines to minimise the risk of failure. 

• Regularly monitor and maintain the pipeline to prevent 

failures. 

• Install and maintain a cathodic protection system. 

• Regularly inspect the pipeline corridor to detect anything 

that could damage the pipeline. 


• Avoid drilling through sand bodies, as far as possible. 

• Maximise the vertical distance between pipelines and the 

Zanderij aquifer (aim for 10 m or more). 

• Maintain a distance of 200 m from drinking water wells. 

• Monitor and compare product volumes entering and 

exiting the pipelines for indications of lost product. 

• Ensure adequate spill response measures are included in 

the Emergency Response Plan. 

• Notify MAS and land owners in the event of a spill. 

• Ensure adequate spill containment and response 

equipment are available. 

• Ensure all relevant staff are trained in the requirements of 

the Emergency Response Plan and in the use of spill 

containment and response equipment. 

Note: * Potential negative impacts are shaded in orange, benefits are shaded in green. White indicates a neutral impact. 

7.2 Key recommendations 

A summary of the specific recommended mitigation and optimisation measures is listed in Table 7-1 

and Staatsolie would need to implement them to demonstrate adherence to best industry practice. 

Key general recommendations, which are considered essential, are: 

• Implement the EMMP to guide construction and operations activities and to provide a framework 

for the ongoing evaluation of environmental performance; 

• Ensure adequate response mechanisms are in place and corrective action is taken to address 

any instances of non-compliance with standard parameters or procedures; 

• Establish and/or maintain lines of communication with the local communities in the vicinity of the 

pipeline alignment, especially drill pads and other structures at or close to the surface. Ensure 

that the local communities are aware of the Staatsolie grievance mechanism and how to utilise it. 

Develop a complaints registry and investigation procedure to ensure that all grievances are 

adequately addressed; 

• Maximise the employment of local (Surinamese) nationals and the procurement of local 

resources during the construction and operations phases to ensure maximum benefit to the local 

economy; 

• Compile and implement a detailed Emergency Response Plan prior to commencing with 

construction, setting out roles, responsibilities and procedures to address all potential incidents; 

• Liaise with the local authorities to ensure coordination of emergency response procedures; and 

• Implement monitoring programmes to monitor the integrity of the pipeline; 

• Implement the Conceptual Decommissioning Plan at the end of the operational life of the 

pipelines. 



8 Way forward 

This Draft EIA Report has identified and assessed the potential biophysical and socio-economic 

impacts associated with the proposed installation of pipelines between the Staatsolie refinery at Tout 

Lui Faut and the Suritex depot. 

By using HDD to install the pipelines, most impacts of the project will be minimised and of very low 

or no significance following the implementation of standard mitigation measures. Staatsolie is 

committed to ensuring that the pipelines are operated to high standards, achieved through 

implementation of the recommended mitigation measures and ongoing monitoring of performance. 

Based on this commitment, SRK firmly believes and the EIA demonstrates that through effective 

implementation of the stipulated mitigation measures, the adverse impacts and risks can be reduced 

to levels compliant with international standards or guidelines. 

Ultimately, however, NIMOS will need to consider whether the project benefits outweigh the potential 

impacts. The essential benefit of the project is that pipelines are a proven and safe method of 

conveying LPG to the refinery and refinery products to distributors. 

This Draft EIA Report is now available for public comments and we invite stakeholders to review the 

report and to participate in the stakeholder engagement process. A Non-Technical Summary (in 

English and Dutch) of this report is available from SRK on request (details below). Electronic copies 

of the full Draft EIA Report and Non-Technical Summary are available on the websites of SRK: 

www.srk.co.za (via the ‘Recent Publications’ and ‘Public Documents’ links) and Staatsolie: 

www.staatsolie.com. Consultation meetings, including a public consultation meeting, will also be held 

to present and discuss the findings of the EIA with key stakeholders and members of the public. 

Details of the public consultation meeting are as follows: 

Venue: Staatsolie Refinery Training Facility 

Date: 23 June 2012 

Time: 17h30 – 19h30 

Meetings will be widely advertised and stakeholders who were previously engaged will be directly 

invited to the meeting(s). 

Comments on the Draft EIA Report can be submitted to SRK Consulting, in English or Dutch, at the 

following details: 


Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa 

Tel: + 27 21 659 3060; Fax: +27 21 685 7105 

E-mail: sreuther@srk.co.za 

Comments must be submitted by 19 July 2012 to be incorporated into the Final EIA Report. 

Once stakeholders have commented on the information presented in the Draft EIA Report, the Final 

EIA Report will be prepared and submitted to NIMOS for consideration. NIMOS will evaluate the 

environmental and social sustainability of the proposed Project and advise Staatsolie of their 

decision. 



Prepared by 

Sue Reuther 

Reviewed by 

Chris Dalgliesh 

All data used as source material plus the text, tables, figures, and attachments of this document 

have been reviewed and prepared in accordance with generally accepted professional engineering 

and environmental practices. 



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SRK Consulting: Project No: 439414 Staatsolie Pipeline EIA – Draft EIA Report 

SRK Report Distribution Record 

Report No. 439414/3 

Copy No. 

Name/Title Organisation Copy Date Authorised by 

Staatsolie office Tout Lui Faut Public viewing 1 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

District Commissioner Wanica Public viewing 2 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

District Commissioner Paramaribo Noordoost Public viewing 3 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

District Commissioner Paramaribo Zuidwest Public viewing 4 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

Politiepost Houttuin Public viewing 5 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

Karin Lie-A-Kwie Staatsolie 6-7 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

Sue Reuther SRK 8 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

Library SRK 9 6 Jun 2012 S. Reuther 

Approval Signature: 

This report is protected by copyright vested in SRK (SA) (Pty) Ltd. It may not be reproduced or 

transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever to any person without the written permission of 

the copyright holder, SRK.

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