Environmental impact assessment of oil and gas sector: A case study of Magurchara gas field

Abstract

This study focuses on the environmental impact assessment of Magurcherra gas field through environmental, socio-economical and meteorological study. The major activities involved are seismic activities, drilling activities, exploration and production. In the case of Magurcherra gas field, improper planning and drilling activities have created explosion and caused huge environmental damage. In order to evaluate the environmental damage due to exploration and drilling activities, checklist of possible environmental impact on the nature, society and socioeconomic activities of the proposed area has been identified by focus group discussion, survey and sample testing. During the observation pollution related with noise found as temporary and minor but the air is observed to be polluted by dust, SPM, SOx, NOx, and CO2 etc. The effects of explosion on the natural forests, land, wildlife, tea garden, infrastructure, local people and tea garden workers, livestock feeding, communication and transport etc are measured. During observation, water quality deterioration by spills and leaks of oil and grease, paints, solvents and chemicals was identified. It was found from the cumulative analysis of the study that the project is environmentally feasible. Key words: Magurcherra gas, meteorological study, environmental damage, feasible, socio-economical.