2011年-世界发展银行全球_Strategic_Environmental_and_Social_Assessment_of_Oil_and_Gas_Development_in_Mauritania_269页_4mb

Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment of Oil and Gas Development in Mauritania

Core Content

The Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) of the oil and gas sector in Mauritania, prepared by D'Appolonia S.p.A. and Integrated Environments (2006) Ltd. in 2011, aims to support the sustainable development of the hydrocarbon sector in line with international environmental and social standards. The report was prepared for the Government of Mauritania and the World Bank, and outlines key challenges, findings, and recommendations for the future of oil and gas operations in the country.

Main Objectives

The SESA has four main objectives:

• Identify social and environmental impacts of oil and gas development in both onshore and offshore areas.
• Provide recommendations to avoid, manage, and mitigate these impacts.
• Facilitate integration of these measures into a coherent policy.
• Support capacity building for government officials in the management of oil and gas sector impacts, especially for the Ministries of Environment and Petroleum, Energy, and Mines.

Key Findings

Institutional, Legal and Regulatory Framework

• The roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) and its coordination with other ministries are not clearly defined.
• There is a lack of coordination and capacity for effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes.
• The legal framework for oil and gas development is incomplete and lacks clarity on environmental management and compliance.
• There is no consistent application of best management practices for onshore operations, especially in remote areas.
• The country lacks the capability to respond to major oil spills.

Oil and Gas Development Context

• There is significant uncertainty regarding the actual hydrocarbon potential in onshore and offshore areas.
• Exploration in the Taoudeni Basin is at an early stage, and no onshore production has occurred yet.
• The legal and regulatory framework for offshore operations is underdeveloped.
• The coastal and marine environment is vital to the country's long-term economic health.
• The oil and gas industry has not clearly defined its impacts on fisheries or sensitive marine areas.
• There is a lack of clear policies to prevent and manage environmental damage, including no "no go" zones outside of national parks.

Strategic Recommendations and Action Plan

Priority 1: Immediate Actions (2011-2012)

• Streamline environmental roles and responsibilities by clearly defining the institutional structure for environmental management, with MEDD as the competent authority and the establishment of a National Environmental Agency (NEA) under MEDD.
• Improve the management of the EIA process by establishing a dedicated environmental unit within MEDD to oversee EIA for oil and gas projects.
• Extend the role of the Comité de Suivi to serve as an overall coordinating body for SESA implementation.
• Implement comprehensive training across all phases of oil and gas development, coordinated by the Comité de Suivi.
• Finalize the development of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan under the Ministry of Transport, in coordination with MEDD and the Ministry of Fisheries.
• Develop a Marine Strategy to ensure sustainable use and avoid conflicts with oil and gas operations.
• Establish a moratorium on E&P activities in blocks surrounding protected areas such as the Banc d'Arguin and Diawling National Parks.
• Create a Conservation Trust Fund for biodiversity, similar to those in West Africa.

Priority 2: Short-term Actions (2012-2013)

• Establish a dedicated spatial information system to assist in integrated planning of oil and gas activities.
• Undertake coordinated spatial planning to avoid land and resource conflicts.
• Implement a Regional SEA Cooperation Initiative to share results with other African oil-producing countries.
• Establish environmental damage liability provisions, incorporating the "Polluter Pays Principle" and requiring operators to subscribe to insurance or bonds.
• Improve consultation and community engagement for oil and gas projects in a culturally appropriate manner.

Priority 3: Medium to Long-term Actions (2012-2015)

• Create a Mauritania Operators Group to coordinate best practices and lobby for the industry.
• Implement a transparent revenue collection and distribution system to ensure local communities benefit from oil and gas development.
• Ensure wise use of water by developing a water management strategy linked to AGIRE and PANAGIRE, minimizing the use of potable water, and promoting recycled water.

Cost Estimate

• Priority 1: $2.76 million
• Priority 2: $0.88 million
• Priority 3: $0.28 million
  Total: $3.92 million

Given cost and resource limitations, the report recommends focusing on three key Priority 1 measures:

• Support for Comité de Suivi: $390,000
• Streamlining environmental responsibility: $150,000
• Establishing the National Environmental Agency: $400,000
  Total Immediate Implementation Cost: $940,000

Conclusion

The SESA emphasizes the need for a robust institutional, legal, and regulatory framework to support the sustainable development of Mauritania’s oil and gas sector. It recommends strengthening environmental governance, improving EIA processes, and ensuring community engagement and benefit-sharing. The report also highlights the importance of oil spill prevention and response, and the development of a marine strategy to protect sensitive ecosystems. The action plan outlines clear priorities and cost estimates to guide the implementation of these recommendations.