Independent Study of Marine Environmental Conditions and Influence of Oil and Gas Activities in Ghana

Transcription

1 Independent Study of Marine Environmental Conditions and Influence of Oil and Gas Activities in Ghana Launch of Final Report and Next Steps February 25, 2015 Accra Performed in collaboration with: Acorn International, LLC Boston, Houston and Worldwide Sponsored by:

2 Study Objective and Scope Objectives: Listen to and study key concerns Provide independent view of: Concerns raised by stakeholders Evidence of cause by oil and gas activities Realistic approaches to address concerns Build basis for cooperative solutions Scope: Fishery and fishing Whales Algal bloom / Sargassum Tar balls Marine environmental conditions Coastal socioeconomic conditions Takoradi

3 Scope and Methods Formed international study team, coordinated with Ghana EPA Reviewed >200 documents Interviewed >100 stakeholders Initial analysis, preliminary findings Stakeholder verification forums Analysis and report Establish basis for application of results and recommendations

4 Sources (selected examples) Published/unpublished reports Ghana Fishery Country Profile (FAO) Economic Viability of Marine Capture Fisheries (FAO) Biodiversity Threat Assessment for the Western Region of Ghana (CRC URI) Effects of Oil and Gas Exploration at the Jubilee Field on Water Quality in Oil Rich Coastal Communities in the Western Region, Ghana (Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis) Jubilee Field ESIA, Fish and Air Quality Studies (TGL) Ghana Offshore Production Environmental and Social Review Summary (IFC) Preliminary Report of the Subcommittee to Investigate the Incidence of Mortality of Cetaceans in Ghanaian Waters Women, Livelihood and Oil and Gas Discovery in Ghana: An Exploratory Study of Cape Three Points and Surrounding Communities (CCSE) Determining the Origin and Ecology of a Macroalgae (Ulva clathrata) Bloom Along the Coast of Western Ghana and Cote d Ivoire (US AID and CRC) Interviews: EPA (HQ & Western Region) Petroleum Commission Ghana Fisheries Commission Marine Fisheries Research Division Forestry Commission, Wildlife Division Member of Parliament Western Region USAID / World Bank University of Ghana, Dept Marine and Fish. Science University of Rhode Island / CRC International Finance Corporation Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Kosmos, Tullow, Hess, Anadarko Friends of the Nation Oil Watch IMANI Centre for Policy Education Africa Centre for Energy Policy ISODEC and Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas Western Region House of Chiefs Fisheries Alliance Ghana Canoe Fishers Association Fish Mongers Associations Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area 4

5 Study Team AK Armah University of Ghana, leading marine scientist, participant in Jubilee field development EIA and author of important marine environmental studies for Ghana. Yaw Osei CEHRT, a former Ghana EPA director / scientist and former TGL SIA specialist, deep knowledge of Ghanaian environmental conditions and policy. Dean Slocum Acorn International, global expert on social and environmental effects of oil & gas activities and governance Joe Ronzio Acorn International, former Environment Canada and World Bank consultant for management of oil and gas industry impacts. Andrew Buchman - Acorn International, former NGO and BP community liaison officer for oil and gas industry development. Alexis Peterson Acorn International, researcher with degrees in Sociology (Stanford) and Planning (Harvard) With support from other specialists in the US and Ghana 5

6 Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration - Timeline Source: Anadarko 6

7 Offshore Oil and Gas Production - Schematic Source: Anadarko 7

8 Offshore Oil and Gas Production - Participants 8

9 Findings - Fishery Fish catches declining since 1999 Fishing activities increased since 2001 Offshore E&P 1 began in 2007, 2010 Global declines due to overfishing Experts say that overfishing and illegal fishing practices are the key threats We don t believe there is a direct relationship between oil and decline of fishery but we do see oil as challenge to fishing industry in the future (due to potential spills) NGO EIA trivializes fishing impacts - involve fisheries sector in this analysis. Mitigation measures identified in the EIA were not fulfilled, including the need for FLOs at sea. Fishers Association Need for fishery impact assessments ignored - NGO The attraction of fish by the FPSO is a real frustration... Fishermen would welcome attempts by the company to find a method to repel fish from the area Fishers Association The catch is less diverse than it once was. Since 2009 the use of lights on boats has been reducing the available fish even further. Fisher Organizations / Fishmongers Illegal fishing practices and overfishing are the key threats to fisheries International expert 1 Exploration and production Finding: The decline is due primarily to overfishing. However, exclusion zones and support vessel damages complicate the ability of fishermen to earn a living. 9

10 Findings - Fishery Drilling Begins 2007 Production Begins 2010 Source: Acorn International, based on data from Ghana MFRD,

11 Findings Whales 24 beachings noted in last 6 years 20 in Western Region Given currents, most may have died west of Ghanaian waters Deaths attributable to a variety of habitat-wide causes Marine noise impacts being studied extensively Marine Mammals Observation (MMO) studies in offshore blocks observe whales Though the death of whales is not an uncommon phenomenon, the frequency within the last four years is worrying," - NGOs (per BBC, suggesting connection with E&P) There was some speculation that the oil and gas industry caused this, but we don t have any evidence to determine causes. - Wildlife Division Whales common offshore Cape 3 Points Intl expert EPA whale study: Many of the carcasses are so degraded that they were likely floating for several days or more A variety of causes including vessel strikes, fishing bycatch and ingestion of debris Ghana marine expert conclusion: Current patterns (west to east) indicate that most of these whales died well west of Ghana s marine zone and drifted in currents to Western Region beaches. Finding: No conclusive evidence that deaths caused by oil & gas activities per se. However: vessel collisions are a contributing factor, and marine noise impacts may also be a factor - requires better understanding. 11

12 Findings Algal Bloom / Sargassum Increase in algae 1 since 2011 Consistent with a global trend Causes of increase not well understood Fishers Associations: Sargassum was coming in the 80s and 1990s from Cote d Ivoire, but when it started coming on shore in Ghana (2011), given the amount, people began assuming it was coming from the Ghanaian oil activities. In the absence of information, people are assuming changes to the marine environment that they observe are due to the oil and gas activities. Poses problems to fishermen having a full net of the seaweed which takes 3 days to properly clean 1 Seaweed of Sargassum and Ulva (Enteromorpha) species Coastal Resources Center Study: Eutrophication of lagoon in Cote d Ivoire is periodically flushed, and this feeds the Ulva (Enteromorpha) blooms offshore Ghana. Ghana Marine Expert Report: Some researchers suggest an increase in coastal nutrient concentrations, resulting in increased Ulva (Enteromorpha) growth. Another suggestion says that the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may play a role by contributing more nutrients, and since the spill there was a temporary change in the current pattern, six months after which the Sargassum begun to increase. Finding: No credible evidence that oil and gas activities have caused increase in algae. 12

13 Findings Tar Balls Oil on beaches of Ghana since the 1960s.. Found on beaches worldwide Sources unclear, but with 2011 increase, many blamed the offshore oil and gas industry Chemical fingerprinting analysis shows tar ball samples from Western Region do not match Jubilee oil Source: NOAA Location of Natural Oil Seeps Worldwide Tar balls have been seen along the coast since the 1960s, and would appear for up to 2 or 3 weeks at a time. -Fishers Association Main sources of tar balls appear to be passing international tankers and seeps, but it is easy enough to trace the source from sample analysis. International marine experts Source: CGG As much as one half of the oil that enters the coastal environment comes from natural seeps of oil and natural gas. These geologic features are often found in places where oil and gas extraction activities are also located. As a result, many surface slicks and tar balls caused by seeps are often attributed to releases from oil and gas platforms. - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Finding: Tar balls can form from offshore oil and gas activities when oil is released in the marine environment, but tar balls on Ghana s beaches to date are likely from other sources. 13

14 Findings Marine Environmental Conditions (General) Offshore E&P activities generate: Routine discharge of drill cuttings, produced water and other operational discharges, Submarine noise that could disrupt / disorient whales Accidental spills that can harm the marine and coastal environment Improved practices to prevent/control spills over time. Spills to date have been minor and do not appear to have had a long-lasting effect. Ghana s (natural resources) are being depleted at an alarming rate:.. Fish, timber, and non-timber forest product stocks are decreasing rapidly. - World Bank (Marine environmental) conditions homogeneous, lacking special environmentally sensitive features that might support rare species habitat. - Hess The problem we have is that we have no baseline of marine environmental conditions to use as a basis of comparison. Petroleum Commission We have baseline data for the entire offshore region it is updated every 2 years. - EPA Finding: Offshore exploration and production activities have generated localized impacts to marine environmental conditions. The potential for an oil spill warrants careful attention. 14

15 Findings Marine Environmental Conditions (General) Advances in oil spill prevention technology and practices have led to a sharp decline in the number of spills over time. 15

16 Findings Coastal Socioeconomic Conditions Exclusion zones complicating fishing activities, irritating fishermen Increase in marine traffic leads to increase in damage to fishing equipment Cost of common goods and services has increased in general Community investments have generated significant benefits...but not noticed by all We want to believe that oil companies want to behave responsibly. If true, need to open channels of communications between people and companies. NGO Education is needed on improved record keeping, and verification. (Fishers would welcome this move) Fisher group We need to educate our children to take up other vocations as the fish resources dwindle - Fishmonger Jubilee partners invested $7.78M in Western Region communities in 2013, plus $2.25M in 2012 Economic Livelihood and enterprise development Education Jobs training, schools Health Safe Water Land-based impacts of offshore production are key major shore-based projects (Gas plant and Atuabo port) have little review and no land use planning. - International aid program leader in Western Region Finding: Evidence of impacts to fishing activities and evidence of some economic benefits to coastal communities due to oil and gas activities 16

17 Summary of Finding and Recommendations Concern Raised Y N Recommendation Decline in Fishery Localized impact around facilities Evidence 1? 1. Management plan to mitigate impact of exclusion zone (communication, possibly deterrents) Reduction of stocks Whales Death by vessel strikes General habitat impact Other causes of death and stranding Algal Blooms Increase in Sargassum, fouling of fishing gear and beaches Tar Balls Increase in tar balls, fouling of fishing gear and beaches?? 2. Strengthened capacity for governance of fishing activities 3. Recommendations of 2014 Subcommittee Report re marine vessel traffic management, by-catch management and others 4. Further study of marine noise impacts, advanced GIIP application 5. Source study and management plan 6. Fingerprint analysis and management plan 1 Is there evidence that these issues are caused by offshore exploration and production activities in Ghana? 17

18 Summary of Finding and Recommendations Evidence? Concern Raised Y N Recommendation Marine Environmental Conditions Localized cuttings and produced water discharges - managed Air emissions and waste generation managed Potential oil spill impacts - accidental Persistent impact to health of marine environment Socioeconomic Conditions Fishing activity interference / damages Impact to viability of fishing as a livelihood Disruptions to communities Community benefits + 7. Continuous improvement in GIIP, monitoring for discharges 7. Same, for emissions and waste 8. Continuous improvement in GIIP for spill prevention & response 9. Integrated, participatory and transparent baseline study/info 10. Continued awareness building, consider glowing or lighted nets, apply FIA requirements. 11. Improved land use planning/governance for on-shore projects 12. Coordinated consultation and capacity building programs 13. Continuous improvement to promote local content development 18

19 Next Steps Adoption of prioritized recommendations 8. Continuous improvement in good practices for spill prevention & response 9. Integrated, participatory and transparent baseline study & information management 10. More capacity building and alt. livelihood development for fishermen, apply FIA requirements 12. Coordinated consultation and capacity building programs in W Region communities Further definition and implementation of action plans Challenge: focus Ghana s talent and energy on addressing real challenges to marine environment, and to secure oil resource benefits to all. Who will take leadership EPA? Fisheries? PC? Subcommittee / Steering Committee? How can each interest group use results to promote improved environmental and social conditions? Who will oversee and sustain this effort? How will interested parties participate in monitoring? 19