Resolution No. 4 of 2005 - Executive bylaw for the Environmental Protection Law

Following Article 65 requirements, any party working in the oil sector must comply with the procedures determined by this bylaw, such as: 

• Install the separation and flaring systems required to produce and transport petroleum products
• Take the required measures to avoid leaks of gas during drilling tests
• Manage storage tanks emissions according to international Standards
• use of compressed air in instruments tools instead of natural gas whenever is possible
• To get rid of associated gas that cannot be utilized, in a safe manner according to the international standards. 

The resolution presents as well eight appendices. These include: 

 

Appendix No. (1) – Outlines categories of public or private development projects that by their nature are liable to cause environmental damage and, thus, are subject to a permitting scheme linked to an environmental impact assessment process.  Oil and gas projects are thereby listed, including activities of research, exploration, extraction, processing, production, refining, storage, transportation, sale and collection of oil and gas and its by-products.

 

Appendix No. (2) – Presents standard forms, plans, permits, approval steps and licenses, including environmental permits.

 

Appendix No. (3) – Introduces environmental standards, including air quality standards and standards for the oil and gas industry, encompassing the refining and petrochemical sectors as well.  The regulation sets limits for:

• Vessel loading facilities and facilities containing volatile organic compounds (greater than 1000000 m3 annually) must undertake recovery of 95% of VOCs (by weight).
• Emissions from sources of fuel combustion (e.g. 10 mg / Nm3 maximum daily average emissions for total organic carbons).
• Chimneys' unburned hydrocarbons emissions (20 mg /Nm3)
• Leaks (lower than 20 mg /Nm3 for any operation)
• Flares' black smoke (maximum of 5 minutes per hour, according to Ringelmann chart)

Also, the regulation requires that preventive measures be taken to ensure safety of personnel at offshore sites. Furthermore, it states that all offshore facilities must submit a plan to stop flaring operations. 

 

Appendix No. (6)  - Pertaining to facility activity records, requires that operators record environmental impacts related to operations.

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