Question : Hydrocarbon Projects

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up hydrocarbon projects in Andhra Pradesh including Kakinada and East Godavari districts, if so, the details thereof and the name of Entity to which the said project is awarded along with the manner in which digging of well is likely to be executed and the progress made so far;
(b) whether the Government has taken environmental clearance from National Green Tribunal for the purpose, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is true that most of the agricultural fertile land became barren land and drinking water became not fit for human consumption due to digging of hydrocarbon wells and Methane projects in Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has granted hydrocarbon exploration projects in the Cauvery Delta region without ‘Public Hearings’ which is statutory mandated under EIA notification 2006, if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor along with the list of projects granted so far without public hearing; and
(e) whether the Government has granted hydrocarbon projects in Tamil Nadu in the Ecologically Sensitive Zones like mangrove regions and fishing grounds, if so, the details thereof and whether the Environment Impact Assessment has been carried out before granting hydrocarbon projects in these zones and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b): Under the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime, one Pre-NELP (New Exploration Licensing Policy) and 3 NELP blocks have been awarded in the State of Andhra Pradesh, out of which only two NELP blocks are operational at present. These blocks have been allocated to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL). For carrying out any exploration and development activity, Environmental Clearance (EC) and Forest Clearance are mandatory. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is pre-condition for obtaining EC. EIA report identifies environmental aspects and impacts arising out of the proposed activity and proposes mitigation measures. During public hearing for EC, consultations are held with stakeholders, including local public. Directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT), if any, are complied with. However, no consultations are held with NGT.
(c): No, Sir. Exploration and production activities are coexisting with agriculture not only in Tamil Nadu 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. Exploration and production activities in the Cauvery Delta region are limited to production of conventional oil and gas resources. There are no Coal Bed Methane (CBM) /Shale gas activities going on in the State of Tamil Nadu. Further, ONGC has been carrying Exploration and Production activities in Tamil Nadu for more than 50 years and as such there is no adverse effect in respect of agriculture and ecology.
(d) & (e): Seven Blocks have been awarded in the State of Tamil Nadu in various rounds of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP), out of which only two blocks are operational. Two Contracts have been awarded through International Competitive Bidding under Discovered Small Field Bid rounds for which Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) is awaited from State Government. Further, three Blocks were awarded under Open Acreage Licensing Policy. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is pre-condition for obtaining Environmental Clearance by the Contractor before carrying out any exploration and production activity.
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