Question : Hydro-carbon Projects

(a) the total quantum of agricultural land acquired for implementation of Hydro-Carbon projects in Delta region;
(b) whether the Union Government has made any survey on the delta region of the possible side-effects and losses on agricultural crops/yields by implementing these projects, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to announce white paper on the Hydro-Carbon projects to clear the doubts and fear of the people, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the Hydro-Carbon projects proposed to be located in Tamil Nadu;
(e) the details of pre-project clearances to be obtained before commencement of these projects; and
(f) the status of these clearances for Tamil Nadu projects?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) Oil India Limited (OIL) has informed that they have purchased a plot of agriculture land measuring 8.19 acre for drilling one exploratory well under Krishna Godavari Basin Project in the district of East Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has informed that they have acquired land of 47.18 acre in Cauvery Asset on permanent basis and 1728.73 acre on temporary basis. Total temporarily acquired land for ONGC operations under Krishna-Godavari Basin (Rajahmundry Asset) including land under marginal fields and permanently acquired land for Base office/workshop etc. is 2692.324 acres.
(b) & (c) Exploration and production activities are coexisting with agriculture not only in delta region but in other parts of the country also. Exploration and production activities for hydrocarbons have to comply with Health, Safety and Environment protection related statutory guidelines. These clearances are obtained from different authorities. Operators can commence Exploration & Production operations only when all the relevant approvals have been obtained. Further, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been carrying Exploration and Production activities in delta region for more than 50 years after getting relevant approvals.
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(d) & (f) The details of projects awarded during 2019-20 in the state of Tamil Nadu are as below: OALP Round Block Name Company Area in Sq. Km. States/UT Total/State-wise Area in Sq. Km. District II CY-ONHP-2018/1 Indian Oil Corporation Limited 474.20 Tamil Nadu 474.2 Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur III CY-ONHP-2018/2 ONGC 459.83 Tamil Nadu 386.53 Cuddalore, Nagapattinam Puducherry 73.30 Karaikal III CY-ONHP-2018/3 1403.40 Tamil Nadu 1259.43 Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram Offshore 143.97 -
Central Government has granted Petroleum Exploration Licenses (PELs) for offshore areas, the same is yet to be granted by Government of Tamil Nadu with respect to onshore areas.
(e) The following clearances are obtained before commencement of Hydrocarbon projects from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)/ State Pollution Control Board:
i. Environment Clearance;
ii. Forest Clearance (FC) if the project involves diversion of forest land;
iii. Wildlife Clearance (WLC) if the project falls within Eco-Sensitive Zone of Protected areas (Sanctuaries, National Parks, etc);
iv. Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Clearance if the project falls in CRZ area;
v. Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from State Pollution Control Board.
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