045-i. Advisory review: EIA for oil pipeline - Ecuador

The NCEA issued an advisory review of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for an oil pipeline. It concluded that the EIA in general is of sufficient quality, but that there are nevertheless opportunities for further improvement of the EIA report and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Rapports consultatifs et autres documents

11 mai 2001: Advisory review
Accompanying letter
Accompanying letter ES
Advice
Advice ES
Appendices Advice
Appendices Advice ES
Map
Map ES

Détails significatifs

The Ecuadorian Minister of Energy and Mines signed a contract with Oleoducto de Crudos Pesados (OCP) to construct and operate a heavy crude oil pipeline and to provide public services for hydrocarbons transportation. According to Ecuadorian law, an EIA has to be undertaken and approved before construction begins. This EIA was indeed conducted, and the environmental ministry of Ecuador requested the NCEA to review it.

In its advisory review, the NCEA observes the following:

  • The information in the EIA report is sufficient for informed and environmentally sound decision-making;
  • However, limited deviations from the projected 2 kilometer corridor should still be allowed if results from detailed design studies require this.

Recommendations to further improve the EIA are:

  • Include a description of possible exploration and development activities in the Amazon area that are associated with the oil transport system, and assess their environmental and social impacts;
  • Pay special attention to feedback of public participation and show how public comments will be taken into account in decision-making and implementation;
  • Prepare a more transparent comparison of alternatives, e.g. by means of a visual presentation.

The NCEA further recommended that the Environmental Management Plan elaborate on:

  • A procedure for disposal of chemically contaminated water;
  • An approach to deal with biologically important areas during construction and operation, and which mitigation measures will be taken;
  • The possibility to provide funds for a long-term plan for integrated conservation and development (e.g. eco-tourism);
  • Species to be monitored including species which are critically endangered;
  • Compensation of negative socio-economic impacts as a result of calamities.

Parties concernées

Membres du groupe de travail

van Bodegom
J. Rupke
van der Vuurst de Vries

Le président: Jan-Willem Kroon
Secrétaire technique: Ineke Steinhauer

Promoteur et Autorité de composants

Promoteur
Oleoducto de Crudos Pesados (OCP) Ecuador S.A.

Autorité de composants
Ministry for the Environment - Ecuador

Plus de détails

Pays: Ecuador


Mise à jour: 28 mai 2019