Estate Service Asset - PDO

Petroleum Development Oman
Estate Services Asset
Environmental Assessment
2002 Review and Update
Near the coast, the hydrogeology is influenced by seawater. The shallow ground water is
highly saline and not potable. Potable groundwater for MAF and RAH areas is sourced from
sustainable aquifer in Al Khoud, about 37 km from MAF. Water is extracted from Fars /UeR
formations.
The mean monthly temperatures range from around 20 o C in (January) to about 35 o C in July.
The maximum absolute temperature will be as high as 49 o C and the minimum absolute
temperature will be as low as 10 o C. Relative humidity is usually high and will be in 90s
during the summer months. The mean total annual rainfall is 86 mm, and most of the rainfall
occurs during the period of January-March. Fog is rare and may occur about twice a year.
The mean wind speeds range between 3 and 7 knots, with high wind speeds encountered
during the summer months. The dominant wind direction is northeast during June-September
and southwest during November-January.
MAF is highly urbanised, and consequently any natural vegetation might have been
destroyed. Nonetheless, small pockets of natural vegetation remain on the rocky coastal hills.
This vegetation is similar to that of the foothills of the northern mountains and can be
classified as an open xenomorphic Euphorbia community type.
Several fauna groups including mammals, birds and reptiles are seen. Mammals in MAF and
RAH areas and are low in diversity, largely due to the lack of suitable habitat.
The beaches along the coastline are composed primarily of fine sand derived from the
neighbouring land with shallow areas extending up to 2 km offshore.
The human populations within MAF terminal area and the surrounding areas are typically
urban population. The main populated area near MAF terminal is the PDO’s residential camp
in RAH, housing about 4000 persons. The other major populated areas are Qurum Heights
(about 1 away) and Darsait (about 4 km away).
There are no features of archaeology and cultural heritage within PDO’s assets area in MAF.
The MAF and adjoining Qurum beaches are used by local population and tourists for
recreation. There is however several ancient forts, museums, places of worship and
recreational areas located in the capital area
MAF industrial area is established exclusively for petroleum industries. In addition to the
accommodation, administrative and auxiliary facilities serviced by the estate services, several
industrial facilities are also located here. They include PDO offshore facilities, a petroleum
refinery and several bulk storage facilities for refined petroleum products.
Significant Environmental Effects
Based on the existing activities and the current status of the environment in the asset, the
environmental hazards and potential effects are identified. The potential environmental effects
are assessed based on the HEMP methodology outlined in PDO's document GU-195
"Environmental Assessment Guideline". The effects with a risk rating level of medium or
higher are short-listed and the necessary additional mitigation measures are recommended.
The following table summarizes the recommended additional mitigation measures against
each of the environmental specifications of PDO, viz., SP-1005 to SP-1012 and SP-1170.
©HMR Environmental Engineering Consultants
Oman’s Environmental Consultancy
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