OREANDA-NEWS. North Caspian Operating Company B.V. (NCOC) jointly with its Agents Agip KCO and NC Production Operations Company B.V. (NCPOC) held public hearings to review the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) for 2015 in Atyrau and Mangistau regions.

As NCOC's Corporate Services Director Murat Mukashev noted in his opening speech: "We recognize the specialness of this area in many ways and we intend to keep it intact. This is why the Consortium invests millions of dollars each year in the environmental protection activities in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and local authorities.

Environmental Protection Plans for the coming year will be brought to public notice, which is not just a willingness of the Consortium to comply with the law, but an indication to sincere commitment to be transparent in environmental protection activities. Consortium is thankful for feedback and suggestions voiced in these meetings". Environmental Protection Plan for 2015 includes further measures on protecting the flora and fauna, research studies, information and outreach activities and raising public environmental awareness. It is expected that these efforts will result in reduction of the impact of the Consortium's operations on biodiversity, and conducting of baseline studies and seal & wildlife monitoring, yearly offshore and onshore surveys and etc.

The Public Hearings were held on 16th September in Aktau and on 17th September in Atyrau.