35
Compliance of Previous EC Background As required by the Terms of Reference issued by MoEF for undertaking EIA/EMP studies, a separate section on status of compliance of Environmental Conditions earlier granted by Centre to be provided. As per circular dated 30th May, 2012 issued by MoEF, a certified report by RO, MoEF on status of compliance of conditions on existing unit is also to be provided in EIA/EMP report. Two Environmental Clearances were issued to HOEC on behalf of the consortium, one in Aug 2007 and the second in April 2009. Environmental Clearance was granted to HOEC on behlf of the consortium consisting of OIL and IOCL in August 2007 for 2 exploratory drill sites i.e. one in Dirok Teas Estate and the other in N. Ledo. The CTE and CTO from the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) were also granted. Pursuant to the aforesaid EC, the Consortium has drilled one exploratory well in N. Ledo site between Nov’ 07 to Dec’07. As no commercially viable reserve was estimated at N. Ledo the well site was reinstated and returned to land owner. This well was located at 24 km away from the Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary. The other well was drilled in Driok tea estate from a single surface location but in two different trajectories and during two different time periods i.e. between Jan’08 to Apr’08 and then between Jun’10 to Dec’10. The surface location is termed as Dirok#1, while the subsurface locations termed as Dirok#1, 2. As the location of Dirok#1 and Dirok#2 were close to the Dehing Patkai Wild Life Sanctuary (DPWLS) and in absence of a well –defined regulatory process of seeking recommendation of SC of NBWL in year 2007, exploratory drilling in Dirok tea estate was undertaken after obtaining recommendation of DFO and conservator of Assam Sate Government in July 2007. After drilling and upon establishment of commercially viable reserve of natural gas at Dirok the well site was retained for future appraisal and development and now EC is being sought for development of these wells in Dirok tea estate. In April’ 2009 another EC was granted to the Consortium via. File no. No. J-11011/112/2009-1A- II (I) for drilling of three exploratory wells within the Block. As part of this EC one exploratory and appraisal well (Dirok#4) out of three wells was drilled within the Dirok Tea Estate during Feb’12 to Jun’12 in the Block. Being located close (~1.3 km) to the Dehin Patkai WLS and due to prolonged uncertainity in functioning of Wildlife Boards at State and National level during that time period, exploratory drilling at Dirok#4 was undertaken on the basis of recommendation of Chief Wildlife Warden (Assam State) in Dec 2011. Further, this well was suspended and awaiting clearance from SC of NBWL for further appraisal. In June 2015, the Standing Committee of NBWL has conditionally recommended appraisal drilling of Dirok#4.
