CAPABILITY STATEMENT INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS GROUP IN AFRICA www.rsk.co.uk
RSK IS A FULLY INTEGRATED, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENGINEERING SERVICES COMPANY EMPLOYING MORE THAN 1000 STAFF IN OFFICES ACROSS THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY. The International Projects Group (IPG) is part of RSK Environment Ltd. We provide global environmental, marine and social expertise and support for all stages of project life cycles from feasibility to construction through operation to decommissioning The IPG team has diverse industry experience spanning conventional and renewable energy infrastructure and mining industries. With the ability to draw on expertise across RSK s technical offerings, including internal geographic information system (GIS) and geo-database development capabilities, we can provide a fully integrated approach covering all spheres of project development from landscape and visual assessment, to noise and air quality, biodiversity to hydrogeology and hydrology, soils and geomorphology to ecosystem services. Most of our senior staff have more than 20 years experience of working on international projects and many have lived and worked in developing countries, sometimes on placements within clients organisations. Our team, therefore, has a very practical overall understanding of the challenges facing companies working in such countries and of the vital importance of close working relationships with local partners and, crucially, enhancing local content and capacity building wherever we work. 2
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESHIA) SERVICES IPG team members have extensive experience of developing and managing environmental, social, human rights and cultural heritage impact assessments, both on- and offshore, to international standards, including World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation (IFC) performance standards; Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability; the Equator Principles; and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and African Development Bank performance requirements. WE OFFER FULL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) SUPPORT AND A RANGE OF STANDALONE SERVICES SCREENING AND SCOPING: We have wholly in-house capabilities for international ESIA screening and scoping studies such as gap analyses, secondary data collection, issue identification and mapping, and scoping-level stakeholder consultations. BASELINE STUDIES: Our personnel have a wealth of experience of environmental and social baseline studies using secondary data analysis and a range of fieldwork techniques and laboratory analyses for terrestrial and marine studies. We can also offer separate noise, air, water, social, indigenous people and human rights, community health and occupational health studies, archaeological evaluations and a range of marine studies, including near- and offshore marine surveys and phase 1 and 2 intertidal surveys. TOPIC-SPECIFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION: We can provide a comprehensive range of assessment and mitigation services, including landscape and visual, social issues and human rights, community health, occupational health and safety, ecosystem services and biodiversity, noise, air, soil, water, and marine physical and ecological impact assessments. These include direct, indirect, cumulative and transboundary impacts. MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLANS: We offer services for developing environmental and social management and monitoring plans covering a variety of topics. Our specific social management plan expertise includes resettlement and land acquisition, community development and social closure. PERMITTING ASSISTANCE AND POST-SUBMISSION SUPPORT SERVICES: Assisting clients and government agencies in the permitting and consultation process following submission of an ESIA is a vital part of any major international project. We have staff with extensive experience of international standard disclosure and consultation processes. THE IPG TEAM HAS DIVERSE INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE SPANNING CONVENTIONAL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND MINING INDUSTRIES. 3
Biodiversity offsets and biodiversity action plans (BAP) Our team includes staff with experience in biodiversity offsets, no net loss and net gain in accordance with IFC and EBRD performance requirements. This includes the initial identification of a project s offset requirements based on biodiversity impact assessments; using various offset calculators and other tools to assess the relative suitability of offset options; and ongoing management, monitoring and reporting on the long-term viability of the offset. The team can also develop, implement and monitor BAPs for major projects, including long-distance pipeline development Ecosystem services We offer ecosystem services assessment and impact mitigation strategies that are developed by our biodiversity and social specialists working together. This holistic approach provides sustainable ecosystem services solutions and management plans throughout a project s life cycle and beyond. Stakeholder engagement services RSK can provide staff with extensive experience of providing a variety of stakeholder engagement services in the international arena, including developing stakeholder engagement plans, protocols and databases, and leading stakeholder consultations and public disclosure meetings during all phases of a project. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLANNING CONSTRUCTION PHASE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT: Many members of our technical team have taken on in-field environmental and social supervisor roles during the construction of major projects and are experienced in construction-based environmental and safety management systems, inspection, monitoring and auditing. A key aspect of such roles is the ability to provide practical solutions in the field, communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams (often speaking multiple languages and with different cultures) and to develop good relationships with clients, contractors and site personnel. WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING: IPG staff have developed waste management schemes and provided input to waste facility design for a range of projects. The team can also provide general waste management advice with respect to waste transfer and handling, materials recovery, and end disposal facilities. RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLANS (RAP) AND LIVELIHOOD RESTORATION FRAMEWORKS (LRF): The IPG social team can provide full RAP and LRF services along with other land acquisition services and support, and has developed such documents and assisted in implementation across a diverse range of projects and geographical areas, including Africa, former Soviet Union states and Eastern Europe. SOCIAL PLANS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: In addition to developing RAPs and LRFs, our social team has extensive experience of developing a comprehensive range of social management plans aligned with international financial institution lender requirements, including local content, procurement and employment influx management corporate social responsibility community development indigenous people grievance systems. We also offer a wide range of environmental and social management services, carried out in accordance with international requirements and national in-country standards. Environmental and social management plans: The development of a technically sound and practicable environmental and social management plan encompassing the findings and commitments contained in the ESIA is crucial to a project s success. IPG staff have wide ranging experience in the development of commitments registers and management plans for diverse projects in many countries. We also develop integrated or standalone environmental and social management systems that meet the requirements of international standards, for example, ISO 14001 for environmental management systems, for existing facilities and projects at the inception stage. 4
KEY PROJECTS ESIA GAS PRODUCTION FIELD, PIPELINE AND PROCESSING FACILITY, COTE D IVOIRE A full ESIA for the Gazelle field offshore production drilling, production, multiphase pipeline and onshore gas treatment facility included a detailed environmental and social baseline and impact assessment, including the marine element of pipeline and offshore infrastructure, and the preparation of the relevant social management plans and stakeholder engagement. Undertaking baseline ecology surveys in Cote d Ivoire ESIA FOR SEISMIC SURVEY, SENEGAL RSK carried out an ESIA for a seismic survey, offshore Senegal, on behalf of Hunt Oil. The ESIA involved researching the sensitivities of Senegalese waters to potential impacts associated with seismic operations such as vessel traffic, submarine noise and accidental fuel oil spills. The deliverable was submitted to the Senegalese authorities. Discussing ecosystem services in Ethiopia LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS TERMINAL, TANZANIA RSK carried out studies and surveys to provide environmental and social data to support the site selection process for a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Tanzanian coast south of Dar es Salaam. The project required collating and analysing large amounts of data and synthesising the results to guide the site selection. We mobilised a multidisciplinary team to complete field surveys of five sites to verify the desktop data. We also made use of remote sensing processes to produce detailed maps highlighting the potential constraints and enable site comparisons using standardised criteria. The IPG has undertaken projects in remote locations ESIA FOR OFFSHORE DEEPWATER EXPLORATION, ANGOLA RSK produced an ESIA to World Bank standards for several developments in exploration Block 15, 370 km offshore Angola and in 1200 m of water, utilising West African ecological and social specialists. The key focuses were oil spill and air contamination assessments and mitigation measures. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE OF FOUR BIOMASS POWER PLANTS, ROMANIA The project was a desktop review of environmental and social records and site visits to provide information on the status of the current environmental and social management systems and performance of four biomass plants, and to assess whether the project was structured to meet the performance requirements of the financing bank, EBRD. The activities undertaken included due diligence audits and producing a due diligence report, non-technical summaries and stakeholder engagement plans. 5
MARINE SERVICES RSK S IPG INCLUDES A SPECIALIST MARINE TEAM WITH A SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY. THE MARINE TEAM SUPPORTS A WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS AND ITS SURVEY EXPERIENCE SPANS ALL ENVIRONMENTS FROM INTERTIDAL REGIONS TO THE HIGH SEAS, AND INCLUDES THE UK AND IRELAND, THE CASPIAN SEA, THE ARABIAN GULF, THE CARIBBEAN, GREENLAND, THE SOUTH ATLANTIC AND OFFSHORE AFRICA. The marine team s expertise feeds into the services listed above, particularly with respect to ESIA capabilities, and, therefore, enables RSK to provide holistic on- and offshore service capabilities separately or together for any projects involving both component environments. Key areas of expertise ESIA screening and scoping studies for near- and offshore environments Environmental and socio-economic baseline surveys, analyses, interpretation and reporting of survey data, and their incorporation into impact assessment Intertidal phase 1 and 2 surveys, including design, planning, implementation and management Subtidal and marine surveys and monitoring programmes (physicochemical and benthic ecology), including design, planning, implementation and management The provision of scientific observers for identification and reporting of cetaceans, reporting of catch data, etc. 2D and 3D offshore seismic surveying and support functions for oil and gas exploration RSK has more than 1000 technical support staff that the IPG can call upon OTHER SERVICES Risk assessments Our experts can undertake full environmental and social risk assessments in addition to topic-specific risk assessments. Auditing and due diligence The IPG has senior staff experienced in environmental, social and due diligence auditing for ESIAs, internal quality assurance and international finance lending purposes. In addition, we can offer specialised, topic-specific audits, for example, in resettlement and livelihood restoration processes, community and occupational health. Undertaking socio-economic baseline surveys in Cote d Ivoire 6
KEY PROJECTS ESIAS FOR EXPLORATION DRILLING, ETHIOPIA RSK completed two ESIAs and two addenda for several exploration wells and associated access roads and camps for Tullow Ethiopia, including all the associated surveys (including biodiversity) and stakeholder consultation. The wells were in a very remote area requiring RSK to set up safari camps and provide a 4 4 ambulance and a medic. CHAD EXPORT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) HINDCAST, CHAD AND CAMEROON RSK was invited to join an internal ExxonMobil team to undertake a hindcast of EIAs undertaken about 10 years ago for the IFC-funded Chad Export project. The hindcast team reviewed all the relevant project documentation, spent two weeks in-country visiting the operational phases of key project sites and project-affected communities, and assessed the accuracy of the impact prediction in the EIAs and the success of the proposed mitigation measures. ESIA FOR WELL DRILLING, MAURITANIA RSK developed an ESIA for an exploration well in Block C-10, Mauritania, in association with local partner Hydroconseil. When this was approved by the client, RSK had it translated it into French. RSK supported Marathon in presenting the ESIA s terms of reference to the competent authority, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, conducting public consultation meetings and presenting the ESIA s findings to a public inquiry. The IPG is experienced in leading field teams in different environments ESIA AND BASELINE SURVEY FOR THE EL MERK OIL AND GAS FIELDS, ALGERIA RSK produced an environmental baseline survey and ESIA for the proposed El Merk central processing facility at Bas de Vie, the central waste accumulation area and the pipeline network. The work involved field inspections and data gathering from the sites, quantifying and assessing likely environmental and social impacts, and producing EIA reports in French and English. ESIA FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS PIPELINE EXPANSION (SCPX), GEORGIA, AZERBAIJAN RSK produced environmental and social baseline studies and the subsequent ESIA for the expansion of a 680-km gas pipeline from the Caspian, through Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Turkish border. OFFSHORE DRILLING EIA, EQUATORIAL GUINEA RSK produced the EIA for a deepwater exploration well in the Gulf of Guinea in waters east of the island of Bioko. RSK also developed a project oil spill response plan using surface modelling studies produced by a contractor organisation. ESHIA FOR THE DUBAI FLOATING STORAGE AND REGASIFICATION UNIT PROJECT Shell Global Solutions commissioned RSK to manage the production of an ESHIA on behalf of the Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP). RSK undertook scoping, local stakeholder consultation and baseline surveys to assess the potential effects of this innovative gas storage and supply project. The project involves a floating storage and regasification unit moored permanently offshore just outside JAFZA port in Dubai and a subsea pipeline linked to the existing gas distribution network in order to provide an additional supply of gas over the summer. The floating storage and regasification unit will be supplied with gas from regular deliveries of liquefied natural gas by supply vessels. The ESHIA assessed the potential impacts of the development, including upset conditions, and indicated the mitigation measures to be implemented during the engineering design, construction and operation of the project. A detailed environmental management plan was also devised to assist DUSUP in the ongoing management of the project. The project was consented within three weeks of submission of the ESHIA. RSK is continuing to provide support to Shell Gas and Power (nominated by DUSUP as the technical lead) during the detailed design work. 7
RSK KEY PERSONNEL AND THEIR SPECIALTIES OUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED IPG TEAM HAS LANGUAGE CAPABILITIES THAT INCLUDE FRENCH, ARABIC, RUSSIAN, SPANISH, GERMAN, DUTCH AND ENGLISH. IN ADDITION, WE MAINTAIN SUCCESSFUL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXPERIENCED IN-COUNTRY CONSULTANTS THROUGHOUT AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. FULL RÉSUMÉS FOR ALL RSK S IPG STAFF ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST, BUT SOME OF OUR KEY PERSONNEL ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. DR CAROLYN YOUNG, MANAGING DIRECTOR: Carolyn has more than 20 years experience as an environmental consultant. Her work has included advising clients on environmental permitting, management and the production of high-profile ESIAs, audits of project implementation to international financial institution standards, and developing environmental and social management systems meeting EBRD and IFC requirements. DR HILDE VAN VLAENDEREN, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Hilde is a recognised expert in social impact assessments, stakeholder identification and engagement, due diligence, land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, community development and social management at all project stages. She provides strategic advice to enable clients to perform to international benchmarks. Hilde is fluent in French, English and Dutch, and her work spans five continents over 25 years. ROBERT GOULD, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Robert has led or supported the development of ESIAs and due diligence studies in a variety of sectors in various countries worldwide to international and national standards as appropriate. Robert is fluent in English and French, and has worked in many French-speaking countries. The projects he has worked on include upstream oil and gas developments, mining and ore beneficiation, roads, ports, fossil fuel power plants, nuclear power plants, renewable energy developments, manufacturing and municipal water infrastructure. DR JAN SWAN, DIRECTOR: Jan is an ecologist and environmental manager with over 30 years experience in the UK and overseas. She has managed many complex projects, including the routing and construction of cross-country pipelines and the planning, construction and auditing of major infrastructure and field developments. Her experience includes a broad range of projects completed to IFC, EBRD, European Investment Bank and other international financial institution s requirements. KATRINA COOPER, DIRECTOR: Katrina is an environmental planner with 25 years experience of ESIA, environmental project management, public and stakeholder consultation, environmental due diligence and environmental management systems. She has been the lead environmental and social project manager for many major infrastructure projects, in the UK and abroad, to international financial institution standards. DR DAVID WATSON, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Dave is a marine scientist with experience in impact assessment, project consenting and environmental monitoring. He has managed the production of several major EIAs for offshore developments, including projects for E.ON, BG, ExxonMobil, Shell, Marathon Oil, EirGrid, National Grid and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd. Dave has worked on projects in the North Sea, the Caspian, West and East Africa, the Far East and the Middle East. SÉBASTIEN ESSAYE, SENIOR CONSULTANT: Sébastien is a bilingual (French and English) speaking senior social consultant with several years of industry experience. He has worked on several ESIA projects in Africa in which he has undertaken scoping studies, social assessments, resettlement and stakeholder engagement planning in line with IFC and World Bank standards. In particular, he has spent the last couple of years working predominantly in French-speaking African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d Ivoire, Guinea and Mauritania. NIKKI O DONNELL, PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT: Nikki is a bilingual (French and English) speaking principal environmental scientist with 15 years experience of working on EIAs for complex infrastructure projects, including coal mines, oil and gas pipelines, gas collection facilities, oilfields, power lines, water treatment facilities, ports, railway lines and gas-fired power stations. She is also experienced in preparing BAPs. For further information, visit us at www.rsk.co.uk or contact: Carolyn Young: cyoung@rsk.co.uk (Tel: +44 (0)1928 726006) RSK Group plc has achieved certification to the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards for quality, environmental and health and safety management. M0356b_1