Estate Service Asset - PDO

Petroleum Development Oman
Estate Services Asset
Environmental Assessment
2002 Review and Update
The specification outlines specific ecological zones and based on their importance,
defines specific requirements for carrying out projects. These are summarized in
Table 2.13 below.
Table 2.13: Classification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Ecological Zone Description Requirements
Zone 1: Areas of
Concern
National reserves or sanctuaries
Areas that provide habitat to particularly
sensitive wildlife
Areas containing high proportions of
endemic flora or fauna
Woodlands
Activities shall be
restricted
Zone 2: Areas of Interest
Areas of exceptional natural beauty
Areas having significant natural features
and beauty
Areas showing features of geological or
climatic history
Activities shall be
restricted for those not
compatible with the
protection of the area
Artificially created areas to attract
wildlife and migratory birds
Arabian Oryx Sanctuary Area defined by RD 9/94 Case-specific approval
from MRME&WR
2.4.9 Land Management
There is currently no specific Omani legislation on land management (site
preparation, abandonment and restoration). PDO’s policy on abandonment requires
that redundant assets shall be removed where appropriate and the environment
restored to, or as near as reasonably practicable, to its original state. PDO
specification SP-1012 on land management is summarized below in Table 2.14.
Table 2.14: Land Management Requirements
Project Stage Requirements
Site Selection - Selection of a site shall be carried out in accordance with PDO’s
procedure on HEMP and environmental assessment guideline
Site Preparation - Earthmoving shall be conducted to minimize environmental effects
- Trees shall not be felled or removed
- Borrow pits shall not be excavated more than 2m in depth
- Borrow pits shall not be excavated in wadis, in areas used by grazing
livestock or in areas which would cause nuisance to local inhabitants
- A 20m wide right-of-way shall be provided for all pipelines (10m each
side)
- Where pipelines or roads cross wadis, earthmoving shall be carried out
to minimize flow or characteristics of shallow aquifers
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