A public hearing on the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) of proposed LNG Terminal by Tabeer Energy Private Limited was conducted by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). M/s EMC Pakistan Private Limited was assigned the task of preparing the ESIA report for the project. The project team leader and senior environmentalist Saquib Ejaz Hussain disclosed the findings of the ESIA to the gathering. He informed that the project is fully compliant with all the local, national and international standards of environment, health and safety. The project aims to provide economically viable solution for bringing in natural gas into the National Gas Distribution Network, and observe the principles of sustainability by providing the benefits of economic gains while modifying the social and physical environment.
The project has obtained all required regulatory approvals, including the PQA, Ministry of Petroleum, OGRA, Sindh Forest Department and letter of support from the Directorate General Fisheries Sindh. LNG is odourless, colourless, non-flammable, non-corrosive and non-toxic, it will not pollute land or water resources. If it is released on water, it evaporates with no residual trace. LNG is stored at ambient pressure so that a tank rupture will not cause an explosion. LNG vapours are harder to ignite than other types of flammable liquid fuels. If LNG spills on the ground or on water, it will warm, rise and dissipate into the atmosphere. These features make it ideal from an environmental perspective.
A Health and Safety Plan for construction & operations phases Mangrove trees will be replanted in consultation with stakeholders at an area identified and allocated by Port Qasim Authority (PQA). The re-plantation work shall be carried out by Sindh Forest Department (SFD) and to be monitored by an independent third-party consultant such as IUCN Pakistan. It is Tabeer Energy’s first ever LNG project and NOC from the Forest department and letter of support from the Fisheries department have been obtained.
Engr Koshu Fujita from Tabeer Energy Ltd informed the forum that the facility is being designed strictly in total compliance with the codes and standards defined by Pakistan LNG Policy 2011, including SIGTTO (Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators), NFPA 59 A and PIANC codes and guidelines, besides all other relevant national and international rules, codes and regulations as well as industry best practices.
The proposed LNG import terminal has been designed for a peak throughput of 7.5 MTPA of LNG. The terminal is able to cater to LNG carriers with capacity ranging from 120,000m3 to 262,000m3. The project facilities include: a) Shipping, Marine & Berthing; b) Floating, Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU); c) HP Pipeline for transmission of LNG from the FSRU to the SSGC grid; d) Onshore RLNG Receiving and Metering Facility. At least 36 studies were conducted as part of the project design feasibility in conformity with the LNG Policy 2011.
