OREANDA-NEWS. The study work on the development of ESIA reports is carried out on a phased basis by AECOM (USA), a company awarded the tender for provision of environmental consulting services for SOCAR’s Oil-Gas Processing and Petrochemical Complex (OGPC) Project.

At the same time, a number of meetings were held on 1-4 October 2013 as per project schedule between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, coordinators appointed by Executive authorities of Garadagh and Absheron districts concerning ESIA study, also with participation of OGPC Project Department, Ecological Department, KBR and AECOM. The project status to date, relevant study on assessment of social-economic impacts as part of ESIA, work progress to date and initial outcomes, action plan for assessment of social and economic baseline, format of meetings with local community and public hearings and other important issues were discussed in the meetings. Furthermore, queries concerning the ESIA documents to be issued were responded and comments and proposals to the Project received during the meetings.

Field study work was launched on 04 September 2013 as per the respective schedule to assess baseline environmental conditions at OGPC site and surrounding areas. As part of above works, air quality assessment, soil, groundwater and surface water sampling, measuring of noise level in the noise-sensitive receptors available near the project site and other related activities have been performed. As a result of the field study performed, the environmental baseline report will be developed as a part of the overall ESIA report.