F. No. J-11011/615/2010- IA II (I)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment and Forests

(I.A. Division)

Paryavaran Bhawan

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road

New Delhi – 110 003

E-mail :ahuja.rai@nic.in

           Telefax:011: 2436 3973

                                                              Dated 12^th September, 2012

To,                  

Shri Vineeta Prasad, Dy. General Manager (HSE)

M/s Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd.

14^th Floor, Signature Tower “A”

South City, N.H.-8, Gurgaon-122 001, Haryana

E-mail : vprasad@geecl.com; Fax No.:  0124-258 0467                                   

Subject: Exploration, Testing of wells and Commercial Exploration of Mannargudi CBM Block, MG-CBM-2008/IV, in District Thiruvarur & Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu by M/s Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd. (GEECL) – Environment clearance reg.

Ref.      :  Your letter no. GEECL/ EC/MG/03 dated 28^th February, 2012.

Sir,

This has reference to your letter dated 28^th February, 2012 on the above mentioned subject alongwith project documents including Prefeasibility Report, Draft Terms of References, EIA/EMP, Public Hearing Reports and subsequent communication vide letter dated 27^th July, 2012 on the above mentioned subject.

2.0 The Ministry of Environment & Forests has examined your application. It is noted that the proposal is for exploration, testing of wells and commercial exploration of Mannargudi coal bed methane (CBM) Block, MG-CBM-2008/IV, in District Thiruvarur & Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu by M/s Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd. (GEECL). Production sharing contract (PSC) was signed with Govt. of India on 26^th July 2010. In phase-I, 46 core holes and 2 test wells (covering both the districts) and in phase II, 30 test wells will be drilled. Total block area of Mannargudi is 691 sq. km whilst effective area for CBM activity is 667 sq. km. Drilling will be carried out upto 600 m depth. Project cost is USD 20 million. Vadavur Bird Sanctuary exists within the CBM Blocks. Co-ordinates of CBM block MG-CBM-2008/IV are as given below:

S. N.	Latitude (E)			Longitude (N)
	Deg.	Min.	Sec.	Deg.	Min.	Sec.
A	79	31	350	11	5	283
B	79	31	290	11	4	307
C	79	30	149	11	2	627
D	79	30	072	10	59	730
E	79	29	964	10	59	218
F	79	29	926	10	58	404
G	79	29	490	10	57	183
H	79	31	301	10	54	477
I	79	31	668	10	50	642
J	79	29	685	10	45	323
K	79	29	521	10	43	671
L	79	30	216	10	39	083
M	79	29	600	10	38	436
N	79	29	586	10	37	394
O	79	29	167	10	36	233
P	79	28	817	10	34	600
Q	79	27	000	10	33	983
R	79	26	366	10	33	302
S	79	25	759	10	40	492
T	79	19	202	10	39	950
U	79	19	321	10	38	559
V	79	17	517	10	37	017
W	79	17	433	10	35	500
X	79	16	167	10	35	483
Y	79	16	333	10	36	767
Z	79	15	767	10	37	567
AA	79	16	483	10	38	383
AB	79	16	467	10	40	450
AC	79	17	183	10	41	233
AD	79	16	767	10	44	267
AE	79	18	750	10	47	067
AF	79	20	300	10	47	750
AG	79	21	783	10	49	267
AH	79	23	167	10	48	633
AI	79	22	633	10	50	083
AJ	79	24	050	10	52	517
AK	79	24	467	10	54	700
AL	79	26	800	10	56	167
AM	79	27	183	10	58	233
AN	79	28	317	11	0	150
AO	79	28	967	11	2	617
AP	79	29	533	11	3	717
AQ	79	29	733	11	4	933
A	79	31	350	11	5	283

List of core hole locations is given below:

Core Hole No.	Latitude (N)	Longitude (E)	Location Details
Thiruvarur District
CH-5	10°53`31.68"N	79°30`23.10"E	Sithadi Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-6	10°51`56.64"N	79°28`26.58"E	Kudavasal, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-7	10°51`10.08"N	79°27`14.16"E	Melapalaiyur village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-8	10°50`59.10"N	79°29`39.36"E	Maluvachery , Kudavasal Taluk
CH-9	10°50`21.06"N	79°28`41.94"E	Ohai Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-10	10°48`45.36"N	79°28`58.74"E	Keelapaliyur Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-11	10°48`53.70"N	79°27`16.02"E	Saranatham Village, Valangiman Taluk
CH-12	10°48`10.86"N	79°25`52.56"E	Manickamangalam Village, Valangiman Taluk
CH-13	10°47`15.18"N	79°26`57.84"E	Kamukakudi Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-14	10°47`11.88"N	79°29`9.42"E	Pathur Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-15	10°46`40.74"N	79°25`16.38"E	Kottaiyur Village, Valangiman Taluk
CH-16	10°45`56.58"N	79°26`24.24"E	Hanumanthapuram Village, Needamangalam Taluk
CH-17	10°46`3.42"N	79°28`48.72"E	Koradacheri Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-18	10°44`33.78"N	79°25`15.54"E	Poovanur Village, Needamangalam Taluk
CH-19	10°44`8.76"N	79°27`59.52"E	Keelalavandhacheri Village (Thondilam), Needamangalam Taluk
CH-20	10°41`58.50"N	79°27`39.84"E	Karnavur Village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-21	10°37`10.02"N	79°27`50.16"E	Vadapathi Village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-22	10°38`15.72"N	79°27`59.52"E	Serankulam Village Manargudi Taluk
CH-23	10°39`47.34"N	79°28`1.02"E	Manargudi, Manargudi Taluk
CH-24	10°40`58.74"N	79°28`10.02"E	Aravathur Village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-25	10°41`50.22"N	79°28`57.00"E	Savala Karan Village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-26	10°43`9.60"N	79°28`54.30"E	Arichapuram village, Needamangalam Taluk
CH-27	10°44`58.26"N	79°29`10.26"E	Hanumanthapuram Village, Needamangalam Taluk
CH-28	10°48`20.04"N	79°29`49.98"E	Arpar village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-29	10°49`59.64"N	79°30`7.50"E	Manjakudi village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-30	10°51`59.04"N	79°30`21.12"E	Vadaver village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-38	10°52`4.98"N	79°26`22.02"E	Kil Vadayal village, Valangiman Taluk
CH-39	10°49`22.62"N	79°25`39.54"E	Rajendranallur village , Valangiman Taluk
CH-40	10°47`56.70"N	79°24`27.18"E	Narthangudi village, Valangiman Taluk
CH-41	10°47`10.20"N	79°22`13.14"E	Koilvenni village, Needamangalam taluk
CH-42	10°46`21.18"N	79°23`7.14"E	Adhanur village, Needamangalam Taluk
CH-43	10°43`50.82"N	79°19`49.56"E	Moovarkottai village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-44	10°50`1.08"N	79°27`0.00"E	Kandiyur village, Valangiman Taluk
CH-46	10°48`29.88"N	79°28`0.06"E	Sellur Village, Kudavasal Taluk
CH-47	10°42`0.18"N	79°23`59.88"E	Paruthi Kottai Village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-48	10°43`39.96"N	79°26`30.06"E	Annavasal Village, Needamangalam Taluk
CH-49	10°43`37.86"N	79°24`40.92"E	Kalanjimedu village, Manargudi Taluk
CH-50	10°45`2.22"N	79°23`30.06"E	Kalacheri village, Needamangalam Taluk
Thanjavur District
CH-1	10°54`26.58"N	79°28`2.40"E	Kothangudi Village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-2	10°54`6.54"N	79°29`50.58"E	Perappadi Village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-3	10°54`5.82"N	79°28`49.92"E	Vanduvancheri Village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-4	10°53`0.48"N	79°27`30.12"E	Thirucherai Village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-31	10°56`5.10"N	79°29`20.22"E	Thukkatchi village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-32	10°57`48.06"N	79°28`59.70"E	Amangudi village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-33	10°58`50.16"N	79°28`51.36"E	Vittalur village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-34	10°59`58.62"N	79°29`40.20"E	Manjamali village, Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk
CH-35	11° 1`41.64"N	79°29`51.42"E	Narasingampettai, Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk
CH-36	10°55`49.92"N	79°28`10.50"E	Kumaramangalam village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-37	10°54`49.08"N	79°26`59.04"E	Natchiarkoil village, Kumbakonam Taluk
CH-45	10°40`8.76"N	79°18`36.90"E	Kulamnagalam village, Orathanad Taluk

3.0 Stack of adequate height will be provided to D.G. sets. Produced gas will be flared/utilized at the well site during testing. Water based mud system will be used to drill each exploratory well. Total water requirement for core hole and test wells from ground water source will be 11 and 56 m³/day respectively. During well drilling, wastewater will be segregated into waste drilling fluid and drill cuttings. Drill cutting will be stored onsite impervious HDPE lined pit for solar evaporation and drying. Effluent will be properly treated and treated effluent will conform to CPCB standards. The produced water will be stored onsite HDPE lined pit and reused in drilling of new wells and fire hydrant system. Drill cuttings will be stored in HDPE lined pits, treated and disposed in accordance with CPCB guidelines. Waste oil/used oil will be sent to authorized re-processors.

4.0 Off-shore and on-shore oil and gas exploration, development & production are listed at S.N. 1 (b) under category ‘A’ and appraised at Central level.

5.0 The proposal was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry-2) in its 20^th and 36^th Meetings held during 3^rd–4^th March, 2011 and 11^th–12^th June, 2012 respectively.

6.0 Public hearing/public consultation meetings were held on 29^th December, 2012 and 23^rd January, 2012 for Thanjavur and Thiruvarur Districts respectively.

7.0 The Ministry of Environment and Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to the above project under the provisions of EIA Notification dated 14^th September, 2006 subject to strict compliance of the following specific and general conditions:

A. SPECIFIC CONDITIONS : 

i. As proposed, In phase I only drilling of 46 core holes and 2 test wells (covering both the districts) shall be drilled. In phase II, drilling of 30 test wells including 2 test wells drilled in phase-I shall be drilled. No development and additional wells shall be drilled without prior permission from this Ministry.

ii. As proposed, no forest land shall be used for the proposed facilities/ activities.

iii. As proposed, Unit shall not drill any wells lying at a distance less than 10 Km of the Vadavur Bird Sanctuary. Therefore core well nos. CH-43, CH-45, CH-47 and CH-50 located within 10 Km from the Bird Sanctuary shall not be drilled.

iv. Compensation for the land acquisition to the land oustees, if any, and also for standing crop shall be paid as per the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy (NRRP) 2007 or State Government norms. It may be ensured that compensation provided shall not be less than the norms of the NRRP, 2007.

v. The surface facilities shall be installed as per the applicable codes and standards, international practices and applicable local regulations.

vi. Ambient air quality shall be monitored near the closest human settlements as per the National Ambient Air Quality Emission Standards (NAAQES) issued by the Ministry vide G.S.R. No. 826(E) dated 16^th November, 2009 for PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO_X, CO, CH₄, VOCs, HC, Non-methane HC etc. Efforts shall be made to improve the ambient air quality of the area.

vii. Mercury shall also be analyzed in air, water and drill cuttings twice during drilling period.

viii. The flare system shall be designed as per good oil field practices and Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) guidelines. The company shall take necessary measures to prevent fire hazards and soil remediation as needed. At the place of ground flaring, the flare pit shall be lined with refractory bricks and efficient burning system. In case of overhead flare stacks, the stack height shall be provided as per the regulatory requirements and emissions from stacks shall meet the MOEF/CPCB guidelines.

ix. The company shall make the arrangement for control of noise from the drilling activity and DG sets by providing necessary mitigation measures such as proper acoustic enclosures to DG sets and meet the norms notified by the MoEF. Height of all the stacks/vents shall be as per the CPCB guidelines.

x. The company shall comply with the guidelines for disposal of solid waste, drill cutting and drilling fluids for onshore drilling operation notified vide GSR. 546(E) dated 30^th August, 2005.

xi. Total fresh water requirement for core hole and test wells from ground water source shall not exceed 11 and 56 m³/day respectively and prior permission shall be obtained from the concerned Authority and a copy submitted to the Ministry’s Regional Office at Bangalore.

xii. During well drilling, wastewater shall be segregated into waste drilling fluid and drill cuttings. Drill cutting shall be stored onsite impervious HDPE lined pit for solar evaporation and drying. Effluent shall be properly treated and treated effluent shall conform to CPCB standards. The produced water shall be stored onsite HDPE lined pit for solar evaporation and reuse in drilling of new wells and fire hydrant system. Domestic effluent shall be disposed off through septic tank followed by soak pit. 

xiii. Water produced during drilling shall be reused in drilling of other core/test wells.

xiv. Ground water quality monitoring shall be done to assess if produced water storage or disposal has any effect.

15. Drilling wastewater including drill cuttings, wash water shall be collected in disposal pit lined with HDPE lining, evaporated or treated and shall comply with the notified standards for on-shore disposal on land. Proper toxicological analysis shall be done to ensure there is no hazardous material. Copy of toxicological analysis shall be submitted to Ministry’s Regional Office at Bangalore.

xvi. Only water based drilling mud shall be used. The drilling mud shall be recycled. Hazardous waste shall be disposed of as per Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboudary Movement) Rules, 2008. The recyclable waste (oily sludge) and spent oil shall be disposed of to the authorized recyclers/re-processors.

xvii. The Company shall take necessary measures to prevent fire hazards, containing oil spill and soil remediation as needed. At place of ground flaring, the overhead flaring stack with knockout drums shall be installed to minimize gaseous emissions during operation.

xviii. To prevent underground coal fire, preventive measures shall be taken for ingress of ambient air during withdrawal inside the coal seams by adopting technologies including vacuum suction. Gas detectors for the detection of CH₄ and H₂S shall be provided.

xix. The design, material of construction, assembly, inspection, testing and safety aspects of operation and maintenance of pipeline and transporting the natural gas/oil shall be governed by ASME/ANSI B 31.8/B31.4 and OISD standard 141. Pipeline wall thickness and minimum depth of burial at river crossing and casings at rails, major road crossings should be in conformity with ANSI/ASME requirements.

xx. The company shall develop a contingency plan for H₂S release including all necessary aspects from evacuation to resumption of normal operations. The workers shall be provided with personal H₂S detectors in locations of high risk of exposure along with self containing breathing apparatus.

xxi. Adequate well protection system shall be provided like Blow Out Preventor (BOP) or diverter systems as required based on the geological formation of the blocks.

xxii. The top soil removed shall be stacked separately for reuse during restoration process.

xxiii. Emergency Response Plan shall be based on the guidelines prepared by OISD, DGMS and Govt. of India. Recommendations mentioned in the Risk Assessment & Consequence Analysis and Disaster Management Plan shall be strictly followed.

xxiv. Project proponent shall comply with the environment protection measures and safeguards recommended in the EIA/EMP/risk analysis report/disaster management plan.

xxv. The company shall take measures after completion of drilling process by well plugging and secured enclosures, decommissioning of rig upon abandonment of the well and drilling site shall be restored in original condition. In the event that no economic quantity of hydrocarbon is found a full abandonment plan shall be implemented for the drilling site in accordance with the applicable Indian Petroleum Regulations.

xxvi. Occupational health surveillance of the workers shall be carried out as per the prevailing Acts and Rules.

xxvii. In case the commercial viability of the project is established, the Company shall prepare a detailed plan for development of gas fields and obtain fresh environmental clearance from the Ministry.

xxviii. All the commitments made to the public during the Public Hearing / Public Consultation meetings held on 29^th December, 2012 and 23^rd January, 2012 for Thanjavur and Thiruvarur Districts respectively shall be satisfactorily implemented.

xxix. Company shall adopt Corporate Environment Policy as per the Ministry’s O.M. No. J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 26^th April, 2011and implemented.

xxx. Provision shall be made for the housing of construction labour within the site with all necessary infrastructure and facilities such as fuel for cooking, mobile toilets, mobile STP, Safe drinking water, medical health care, crèche etc. The housing may be in the form of temporary structures to be removed after the completion of the project.

B. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

i. The project authorities must strictly adhere to the stipulations made by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), State Government and any other statutory authority.

ii. No further expansion or modification in the project shall be carried out without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests. In case of deviations or alterations in the project proposal from those submitted to this Ministry for clearance, a fresh reference shall be made to the Ministry to assess the adequacy of conditions imposed and to add additional environmental protection measures required, if any.

iii. The project authorities must strictly comply with the rules and regulations under Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 2000 as amended subsequently. Prior approvals from Chief Inspectorate of Factories, Chief Controller of Explosives, Fire Safety Inspectorate etc. must be obtained, wherever applicable.

iv. The project authorities must strictly comply with the rules and regulation with regarding to handling and disposal of Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 wherever applicable. Authorization from the State Pollution Control Board must be obtained for collections/ treatment/ storage/disposal of hazardous wastes.

v. The overall noise levels in and around the plant area shall be kept well within the standards by providing noise control measures including acoustic hoods, silencers, enclosures etc. on all sources of noise generation. The ambient noise levels shall conform to the standards prescribed under EPA Rules, 1989 viz. 75 dBA (daytime) and 70 dBA (nighttime).

vi. A separate Environmental Management Cell equipped with full fledged laboratory facilities must be set up to carry out the environmental management and monitoring functions.

vii. The company shall earmark sufficient funds for recurring cost per annum to implement the conditions stipulated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests as well as the State Government along with the implementation schedule for all the conditions stipulated herein. The funds so earmarked for environment management/ pollution control measures shall not be diverted for any other purpose.

viii. The Regional Office of this Ministry/Central Pollution Control Board/State Pollution Control Board will monitor the stipulated conditions. A six monthly compliance report and the monitored data along with statistical interpretation shall be submitted to them regularly.

ix. A copy of clearance letter shall be sent by the proponent to concerned Panchayat, Zila Parishad / Municipal Corporation, Urban Local Body and the local NGO, if any, from whom suggestions / representations, if any, were received while processing the proposal. The clearance letter shall also be put on the web site of the company by the proponent.

x. The project proponent shall upload the status of compliance of the stipulated environment clearance conditions, including results of monitored data on their website and shall update the same periodically. It shall simultaneously be sent to the Regional Office of the MOEF, the respective Zonal Office of CPCB and the TNPCB. The criteria pollutant levels namely; PM10, SO₂, NOx, HC (Methane & Non-methane), VOCs (ambient levels as well as stack emissions) or critical sectoral parameters, indicated for the projects shall be monitored and displayed at a convenient location near the main gate of the company in the public domain.

xi. The project proponent shall also submit six monthly reports on the status of the compliance of the stipulated environmental conditions including results of monitored data (both in hard copies as well as by e-mail) to the Regional Office of MOEF, the respective Zonal Office of CPCB and the TNPCB. The Regional Office of this Ministry / CPCB / TNPCB shall monitor the stipulated conditions.

xii. The environmental statement for each financial year ending 31^st March in Form-V as is mandated to be submitted by the project proponent to the concerned State Pollution Control Board as prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, as amended subsequently, shall also be put on the website of the company alongwith the status of compliance of environmental conditions and shall also be sent to the respective Regional Offices of the MOEF by e-mail.

xiii. The Project Proponent shall inform the public that the project has been accorded environmental clearance by the Ministry and copies of the clearance letter are available with the TNPCB and may also be seen at Website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at http:/envfor.nic.in. This shall be advertised within seven days from the date of issue of the clearance letter, at least in two local newspapers that are widely circulated in the region of which one shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned and a copy of the same shall be forwarded to the Regional office.

xiv. Project authorities shall inform the Regional Office as well as the Ministry, the date of financial closure and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of commencing the land development work.

8.0 The Ministry may revoke or suspend the clearance, if implementation of any of the above conditions is not satisfactory.

9.0 The Ministry reserves the right to stipulate additional conditions if found necessary. The Company in a time bound manner shall implement these conditions.

10.0 The above conditions shall be enforced, inter-alia under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules, 2008 and the Public (Insurance) Liability Act, 1991 along with their amendments and rules.

(Dr. P L Ahujarai)

Director

Copy to :-

1. The Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Ground Floor, Panagal Buildings 1, Jeenis Road , Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

2. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional Office (Southern Zone, Bangalore) Kendriya Sadan, 4th Floor, E&F Wing, II Block Koramangala, Banglore-560034.

3. The Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board Parivesh Bhavan, CBD-cum-Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, New Delhi - 110 032.

4. The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Corporate Office, 76, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.

5. Joint Secretary, IA II(I), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, New Delhi.

6. Monitoring Cell, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, New Delhi.

7. Guard File/Monitoring File/Record File.

(Dr. P L Ahujarai)

Director