RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Shell Exploration B.V. (Guatemala) signed a production sharing contract with the Ministry of production sharing contract with the Ministry of Energy and Mines in November 1990 to explore a 3000 km2 area including Lake Izabal. Halliburton Geophysical Services has been awarded the contract on May 16 to acquire 500 km of 2D Seismic with a Digiseis cableless system for both land and shallow water work.
The contract area is environmentally very sensitive and public awareness of the need for environmental protection is very high due to adverse effects of earlier protection is very high due to adverse effects of earlier exploration and production activities. Contacts with the different environmental organizations are complex and a good understanding of their roles and motivations is essential to secure acceptability of operations.
A good preparation, including establishment of clear objectives, principles and guidelines incorporated into a Master Plan for Health, Safety and Environment is critical to achieve a, smooth start in such an environmentally sensitive area.
Government approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal requirement in Guatemala before starting any project. It proved, however, difficult to achieve a consensus about impacting/non impacting activities, and about the format and contents of the document.
Archaeology is also a critical issue.
Although the extensive preparatory work was necessary to secure the feasibility of the whole operation, it is expected to provide windfall benefits in the form of improved performance of the seismic crew in all domains.
Introduction
Shell Exploradora y Productora de Guatemala (SEPG) is acquiring data in the area of Lake Izabal. A variety of environments is found there, which complicate logistics. The area includes fragile ecosystems and is environmentally sensitive. Government and public awareness of this sensitivity is high, but general knowledge of oil operation low. These problems, combined with the need for keeping high standards, mount a significant challenge.
Key elements to set up a crew in a new environmentally sensitive area are, amongst others: - The degree of preparatory work, including environmental, by and public relations aspects. - Communication, by clearly defining the objectives and tasks, and by providing principles and guidelines to be implemented in the field. - Motivation, by developing contractor's responsibilities and accountability for safety and environmental protection. - Planning the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) aspects (before the first shot), including training, safety workshops, audits and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Since the first shot was delayed by extensive flooding of the area and problems related to approval of the EIA, this paper will concentrate on planning aspects and is organized in the following major sections: first the context in which the contract was signed is highlighted. Second, the objectives and policy are outlined. Third, the environmental aspects are presented. Section IV describes the actual seismic presented. Section IV describes the actual seismic technique in the field with the implementation of the HSE policy and the EIA recommendations. Based on the preparatory work, conclusions are drawn concerning two main issues and the expected performances to be achieved. performances to be achieved. P. 821