Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

PROCEEDI NGS OF THE PUBLI C HEARI NG OF M/ S.OI L & NATURAL GAS CORPORATI ON LI MI TED, CHENNAI PROPOSES TO UNDERTAKE ADDI TI ONAL EXPLORATORY DRI LLI NG I N PEL- 1A AND 1B BLOCK OF KG BASI N I N ANDHRA PRADESH, AT 13 LOCATI ONS Viz., ELURUPADU ( KALLA MANDAL) , CHI NAAMI RAM ( BHI MAVARAM MANDAL) , KOLAMURU ( UNDI MANDAL) , VI PPARRU ( PENTAPADU MANDAL) , ANNAVARAPUPADU ( PERAVALI MANDAL) , MULAPARRU ( PENUGONDA MANDAL) , UNI KI LI ( ATTI LI MANDAL) , VENDRA ( PALAKODERU MANDAL) , MATSYAPURI ( VEERAVASARAM MANDAL) SI TARAMAPURAM NORTH & SOTH, MARI TI PPA, BI YYAPUTI PPA ( NARASAPUR MANDAL) GODAVARI DI STRI CT HELD AT SRI ALLURI OF WEST

SI THARAMARAJU MEMORI AL HALL,

BHI MAVARAM, WEST GODAVARI DI STRI CT ON 04.11.2011 .

The following panel members attended the Environmental Public Hearing Process. 1. Dr.G.Vani Mohan, I AS Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari. S. Venkata Subbiah, Revenue Divisional Officer, Narsapur (M), West Godavari. Sri D.Ravindra Babu, Environmental Engineer, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Eluru. Chairperson, Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari

2.

Revenue Divisional Officer, Narsapur

3.

Representative of A.P.Pollution Control Board.

The list of Officers and Public present at the meeting is appended as Annexure- A. At the outset the Environmental Engineer, A.P. Pollution Control Board, Eluru while welcoming the gathering, Panel Members, explained the provisions of Public Hearing Notification issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest S.O.1533,dated 14th September,2006. He informed that notice of the Public Hearing was published in two widely circulated news papers of the region Sakshi and Deccan chronicle on 03.10.2011 giving information about the public Hearing and with a request to offer Suggestions, Views, Comments and objections, if any within 30 days from the date of publication. He stated that the proposed project is required to obtain prior Environmental Clearance from Government of India for which the Public Hearing was organized. He stated that the project details including the Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Executive Summary copies

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

both in English & Telugu (Soft and Hard copies) were displayed in places mentioned in the Notification for information of the public as specified in the Notification. The project material was displayed at Grama Panchayath Offices of Elurupadu, Chinaamiram, Kolamuru, Vipparru, Annavarapupadu, Mulaparru, Unikili, Vendra, Matsyapuri, Sitaramapuram North & South, Maritippa and Biyyaputippa Villages for information of the public and also displayed at concerned Tahsildhars offices Viz., Kalla Mandal, Bhimavaram Mandal, Undi Mandal, Pentapadu Mandal, Peravali Mandal, Penugonda Mandal, Attili Mandal, Palakoderu Mandal, Veeravasaram Mandal, and Narasapur Mandal. The material was also displayed at Office of District Collectors Office, Eluru, District Industries Center, Eluru, Zilla Parishad Office, Eluru, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Revenue Divisional Officer, Narsapur, Head Office, Hyderabad, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Zonal Office, Vishakapatnam, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Eluru and the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Regional Office, Bangalore. He informed that a representation was received from Krishna-Godavari Deltala

Parirakshana Samithi, Bhimavaram through e-mail on 02.11.2011 on the proposed project. The representation enclosed as Annexure- B. He then requested the Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari to conduct the proceedings of the Public Hearing meeting. The Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari While welcoming the people gathered at the venue said that the public hearing is conducted today for the people concerned to express the views on proposed project and hence requested the public to come forward to express their views freely. All the concerned views expressed by them will be taken into consideration by the Government, while reviewing the issue in taking a final decision for grant of Clearance to the proposed activity. She requested the project proponent to explain in detail about the proposed project, and its environmental aspects, Pollution Control measures proposed to be taken by them. Sri V.Rangachari, Executive Director, I n- charge of KG- Basin, informed that ONGC operating since 1956 to till date and continuing the exploration and production of oil and natural gas and informed that there are 26 basins in the entire country, explorations had already been carried out at 7 places and he said that in I ndia only 30% of Natural gas is produced and for the remaining I ndia importing from other countries by paying hundreds

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

of Crores of money. He informed that ONGC started drillings in KG basin from the year 1978 and found several oil and natural gases resources. He stated that ONGC organisation is related to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPG) and informed that at present the Director General of Hydro carbons, which is the organization of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas monitoring all the central Government, Non-Government organizations and private Sectors working in exploration of the Oil & Natural Gas. He said that Ministry of Environment and Forests also supervise the Oil & Natural gas exploring organizations to meet the norms of the Government. He stated that MoEF has gave licence to the ONGC in the year 2003 to carry out exploration of Petroleum for seven years and also stated that as per the technical study report of ONGC, MoEF instructed the ONGC to carry out the exploration of petroleum for another two years. He informed that ONGC filed a application to MoEF to explore the additional 24 wells and the MoEF directed the ONGC to go for the Public Hearing process for obtaining the Environmental Clearance. He stated that the technical studies carried out by ONGC are examined by Ministry of Petroleum Natural Gas (MoPG), Director General of Hydro carbons and issues related to environmental pollution aspects the Ministry of Environment and Forest also supervise the ONGC. He informed that in ONGC there is specific department i.e., HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) to supervise all the works of ONGC and he stated that the ONGC is a government organization and ONGC is answerable to audit, Vigilance etc., and he assured that all ONGC works would be in a transparent manner and scientifically correct. Then he requested

Sri P.R. Bhavana(DGM) to give presentation on the proposed project.

Sri P.R.Bhavana, DGM- Geology, ONGC, Rajahmundry informed the public that proposed project is for exploration of 13 wells in west Godavari District. He stated that ONGC is government organization established on 14th August, 1956 and said that the ONGC is a Maharatna company among 8 companies operating in I ndia. He informed that the main activity of the ONGC is exploration, production and operations of Oil & Natural Gas and carrying out the operations in 14 other countries (33 projects) and in India ONGC carrying out its operations at 22 states and 3 union territories. He informed that there are 26 basins in the entire country, explorations had already been carried out at 7 places and remaining basins under investigation. He stated that earlier MoEF has granted clearance to ONGC for conducting drilling activity in 38 exploratory wells at KG basin. He informed that the KG

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

Basin falls in Krishna, West Godavari and Khammam Districts and stated that from the year 2008 the ONGC has already drilled 27 wells, 5 wells under drilling and remaining 6 wells will be drilled during the period 2011-2012. He stated that before completion of 6 wells, the MoPG extended the period for exploration of wells and also to explore the additional 24 exploratory wells in KG basin to find out the gas and petroleum. He said that MoEF instructed ONGC to obtain Environmental clearance for the same and today we are participating in the Public Hearing. He informed that among 24 exploratory wells 13 wells are located in west Godavari district at 13 villages Viz.,, Elurupadu, Chinaamiram, Kolamuru, Vipparru, Annavarapupadu, Mulaparru, Unikili, Vendra, Matsyapuri,

Sitaramapuram (North & South), Marrithippa and Biyyapu Tippa. He stated that position of the drilling operations proposed at identified Survey Numbers will be changed as per the land availability or if any objection from farmers or if drilling site is near to habitation or near to any college or any community or any fish tanks. He showed the identified 13 well on map and stated that ONGC has already conducted public hearing in the year 2007 at Makkinavarigudem and this is second public hearing in the West Godavari District. He stated that the estimated total project cost for 13 exploratory wells is Rs.396.crores and the total water required for each well would be around 25 m3, 10 m3 for drinking purpose and 15 m3 utilised for drilling operations and water will be supplied through water tanks to the drilling site. He informed that 5 to 6 acres of land will be acquired from the farmers for the each exploratory well to carryout drilling operations and all proposed exploratory wells are away from the habitation and other activities. He stated that minimum 3 to 4 month time required to drill each well. He explained that due to exploration of additional 13 wells the production of oil and natural gas increases and there is a chance to get more gas for the Andhra Pradesh state government. He stated that due to production of more gas the subsidy paying for the Kerosene, diesel will become more and the proposed project is very useful for poor people and state & central revenue also increase due to various taxes to be paid for the production of each 1 Litre Oil and natural gas. He informed that import of oil & Natural gas decreased due to production of more Oil & gas and at present I ndia producing only 25 % of production out of 100% requirement and we are importing Natural Gas and Petroleum from other countries by paying import bill of Rs.11,200 crores and also stated that energy production and economy of the country also improves due to production of more oil and Natural Gas. He explained the statistical data about production and utilization

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

of Natural gas in India and he stated that the total requirement of the petroleum is 173.68 MMT, but in I ndia the production of petroleum 37.68 MMT, among 37.68 MMT the ONGC produces 27.28 MMT, in which only 0.305 MMT produced from KG Basin. He stated that the total requirement of the Natural Gas is 64 BCM, but in I ndia the production of Natural Gas is 52.22 BCM, among 52.22 BCM the ONGC produces 25.32 BCM, in which only 1.84 BCM produced from KG Basin. He explained the different stages of exploration of Oil and Natural Gas Viz., Site Preparation, Installation of rig at drilling site, Drilling operations, Testing, Abandon of well and Site Restoration. He stated that if drilling site is located in agriculture lands or if any objection from farmer, the drilling can be taken place 2 KM away from the proposed drill site by utilisation of latest technology i.e Straight Method, S-Profile and LProfile. He said that only 26 inches of hole will be drilled up to 1000 ft below the ground and 20 inches of casing will be done and remaining 6 inches will be cemented. He said that there would not be any leakages of gas during drilling of well. He given assurance that no ground water pollution and contamination of ground water will occurs due to the proposed activity and said that the oil and gas zones in proposed wells are present at about 2000 meters to 4500 meters below the ground level also stated that ground water table in coastal area is presents at about 60 ft, 80 fts, 150 fts below the ground level and stated that for drilling operations requires mud, and the drilling mud has several functions like lubrication, cooling of the drill bit, cleaning of bore well etc., and after treatment of waste mud will be evaporated and finally covered with soil. He informed that to assess the impact of exploratory activity and to predict the possible impact of additional drilling, ONGC studied environmental surveys on the air, water, land and Noise pollution within 10 km of proposed drill sites. He stated that air quality monitoring conducted for PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NOx and said that the ONGC monitor the air quality during and after exploration of wells. He said that ONGC identified two risk zone in concern to air pollution i) Air pollution due to DG sets and ii) Leakages of gasses during Testing and he informed that about 4 to 5 Meters of high stacks are provided to the generators and ONGC adopted Zero flaring policy, if necessary only flaring of gas will be done 5 to 6 hours for testing. The baseline Air Quality monitored values are found to be within the CPCB limits and he said that preventive measures will be implemented to meet the water quality characteristics within the CPCB norms. He said that noise levels are maintained within the limits and the noise levels recorded within the operation area is 41 to 95 dB(A) at Rig area- 37 to 70 dB(A) and 55 to

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

65 dB(A) recorded at 500 m away from rig area. He said that only one red light provided at drill site and it will not cause any inconvenience to other activities and stated that drill cuttings are utilised for construction of roads. He explained the environmental management plan of the proposed activity and he stated that Medical Camps, Construction of roads, Drinking water facilities, Health Camps, infrastructure facilities for schools and books for school children will be provided to surrounding villages of proposed drilling sites. The site will be fenced in the event the well is successful. He stated that if the well is successful the well site reduced to approximately 30 M x 30 M for the production phase and if the well is unsuccessful the borewell will be cement plugged and the land will be handed over to land owner. He stated that the ONGC follows all the procedures and standards of DGMS to control the risks due to exploration of wells and also provide onsite and offsite emergency plan at drilling site to control blowouts. Finally he stated that ONGC have got National safety awards in the year 2008, 2009 & 2010 and GRENTECH awards in the year 2010 and 2011 and also got Greenies award in the year 2011. The Chairperson, Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari, requested the public to offer their suggestions, views, comments on the proposed project. Sri Manthena Venkata Suryanarayana Raju, President, Krishna- Godavari Deltala Parirakshana Samithi informed that since last 15 years the geologists opined that subsidence may occur in delta area due to exploration of oil & Natural gas in KG Basin and also expressed that the central government and state Governments have not taken any action in this regard and he stated that Krishna-Godavari Deltala Parirakshana Samithi conducted a national level conference with all retired employs of ONGC, IIT professors and geologists at Hyderabad and also informed that during the national level meeting none of the scientist was confirmed in stating that no subsidence will occur due to exploration of Oil and Natural Gas in KG Basin. He stated that the KG basin is located in two deltas one is Krishna delta and another one is Godavari Delta and he informed that the total agriculture land in Krishna delta is 13.5 Lacs acres and 10.5 Lacs acres in west Godavari delta and producing 1 Crore tones of food grains in a year. He informed that the Krishna-Godavari Deltala Parirakshana Samithi also filed a petition in the year 2008 in Honble High Court and the Honble High Court suggested Ministry of Environment & Forests to constitute expert committee and he stated that the committee was constituted and the committee visited the west Godavari and suggested National School of Mines, Dhanbad to investigate the issue,

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

research to know the exact fact. He stated that at point No.6 of Terms of Reference the ONGC mentioned that the delta area as upland, dryland and hilly area and not shown as wetland and at TOR point 33 the ONGC has mentioned that no court litigation cases against ONGC, till date the court case is pending in High court and ONGC is also one of the respondent. He informed that Remote sensing agencies identified 2 to 4 fts of land subside at Bhimavaram, Kalla, Mogalturu, Narspur Divisions and 6 fts subside at Amalapuram Division, East Godavari District. He informed that the delta area geological formation is sandy stone nature, if the drilling operations takes place the subsidence will takes place and he also stated that few incidents occurred in California, Texas, Luciana, Netherlands, Italy, Japan and also occurred in I ndia at Surat, Gujarat state. He also expressed that the geological formation of the delta area is same as the Geological formation of the areas where subsidence occurred and he requested the collector and District Magistrate, West Godavari to cancel the public hearing and finally stated that the public hearing shall be conducted after Judgment of the Hon` ble High Court. He submitted a representation during public hearing and a copy of the representation is Kept as Annexure- C.

Prof.G.Krishna Rao, ( Retired Professor- Geology) , Convenor- Krishna- Godavari Deltala Parirakshana Samithi stated that the water flow velocity in drain is decreased and also reported water logging conditions at some places. He explained the technical data of Ravenna oil fields, Venice and he informed that the Ravenna Oil fields collected Soil samples at 4000 M depth and carried out studies of compressibility Vs. Depth. He expressed that subsidence occurred in Netherlands where the nature of Rock is Cambrian age rock which is having life about 300 Million years and he said that ONGC shall not explore Natural Gas as per Article No.10 of ONGC production contract documents. He stated that there is no objection for drilling activity, but the main objection is only for production of Natural Gas. He informed that for each oil drilling the bench marking shall be implemented before exploration of the Oil and also to study the changes of benchmarks for every six months. He stated that the land subsided 5 fts in Delta area and he asked the ONGC about whether the proposed activity comes under mining or industrial activity and stated that the entire EIA report prepared by the ONGC is wrong and also informed that the information furnished in Form-I regarding subsidence, the ONGC mentioned that no subsidence will occur due to the proposed activity is not correct. He informed that ONGC

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

shall follow the guidelines of the expert committee constituted by MoE & F. Finally he concluded that the details of the predictions about subsidence due to the proposed activity are not incorporated in EI A report. Sri.Melam Durga Prasad, Secretary, District Consumer Protection Council stated that they visited several villages Vemula deevi, Chambala devi in West Godavari and Allavaram, Odalarevu, Oppulakoppa villages in east Godavari district and taken their opinions and he informed that till date no subsidence occurred and he expressed that from last five years the water in canal is flowing backwards and entering into agriculture lands. He informed that around 1 Crore tones of crop is producing at this place and also requested not to explore the oil and Natural gas in this area. He raised a question that weather ONGC have done refilling in any exploratory well where oil and gas already explored and he also asked a question that the Geological formation of rock at propsed drilling site is lime stone or sand stone and also asked ONGC that they had done any bench marking at this place or not. Finally on behalf of Krishna-Godavari Deltala Parirakshana Samithi he stated that they are against the proposed project activity. Sri Namburi Srimannarayana, State joint Secretary, AP.Civil Liberty

Committee( APCLC) , stated that Pollution control Board is not conducting the Public Hearing as per the Act and Pollution Control Board shall conduct public hearing at each and every Village, where the exploratory wells are proposed and for today public hearing villagers who are affected due to the proposed activity were not present in the meeting and stated that how pollution control Board is conducting the public hearing without Villagers. He stated that the total no. of wells existing in West Godavari are 85, not 13 and the Oil Gas explored from the 85 wells to be considered as National property and informed that the ONGC is not utilising the explored gas for nation and it is doing business with explored Natural gas and he also expressed that the proposed exploratory wells to produce oil and natural gas to be cancelled, because the ONGC not utilizing the Natural gas as National property. He stated that the production of Oil and Natural gas details explained by the officials of the ONGC, he opined that the Government allotted highly potential resources area to reliance for exploration of Oil and natural gas and he requested that the Government shall declare the Natural gas produced by Reliance as national property. He informed that no additional exploratory wells are required to produce gas and in Coastal region almost 534 wells are existing, if additional 13 exploratory wells comes into operation

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

there is a chances of land subsidence in Coastal region and requested pollution control Board to consider the problems occurs due to exploration of Oil and Natural gas in Coastal region. Finally he requested A.P.Pollution Control Board to issue directions that all the wells operating in entire country shall be stopped and declared as national property and the natural resources shall be preserved for next generation. Sri B. Balaram, Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham expressed that the public hearing shall be conducted at the villages where the 13 exploratory wells are proposed and pollution control Board shall consider the affected villagers views and Suggestions and also opined that the public hearing to be conducted at villages not at this place i.e. at Bhimavaram. He expressed that the opinions of public shall be recorded in a transparent manner and also stated that so many experts delivered their speeches to day and explained only positive impacts. He raised doubts about that after with drawl of Natural gas from the well, what type of material will be utilised for filling of borewell to avoid Natural Calamities and what type of technology utilised to control disasters. He raised doubt that at present is it necessary to explore additional 13 wells and questioned that that the explored Natural gas shall be utilised as National property and not sold to other companies like Reliance. Sri P.A.Ramakrishnam Raju, SRKR Engineering College, Bhimavaram, stated that fault lines are formed at Narsapur, Kakinada, Yanam, Chinagopapalem structure and he expressed that island at Chinagopalem land is increased and land level at Mogalturu, Narsapur is decreased and also stated that Oil well is located at fault plain of Narsapur Region and said that if Oil explored at fault plain area there is a chances of subsidence due to imbalance of pressure. He informed that land subsidence occurred in Gujarat State due to presence of fault pattern in that area. He stated that the Delta area is located 5 M above the sea level, and raised doubts that after Exploration of Gas, vacuum created under the earth strata, the surface area will sink consequently the sea level raise and Delta area will be flooded. He demanded that bench marking will be provided at drains and exploratory wells by utilizing the latest GPS technology and ONGC shall create awareness among the public that no subsidence will occurred due to exploration of wells. He stated that in America, Delta area is not used for exploration of Gas and requested the ONGC to create confidence among the public confirming that land subsidence not occur due to exploration of Oil and Gas in KG basin

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

Sri Balakrishna Elurupadu Village, Kalla Mandal, W.G.Dt informed that the Survey Numbers notified by the proposed well at Elurupadu is located near to Schools and Habitations and requested to change the survey numbers of the proposed well at Elurupadu as it is nearer to habitation. He stated that the press Notification issued by Pollution Control Board before one month, communicated Panchayath offices, but not informed to the villagers about the exploratory well proposed at Elurupadu and he stated that conducting public hearing 40 KMs away from the proposed drilling site is not advisable to record views of the public. He requested ONGC to change the survey no.s and shall withdraw the Oil and Natural Gas 2 KM distance from the proposed site by utilizing latest technology as explained by the ONGC officials during their presentation. Sri M.Satyanarayana, Advisory Board Member, Krishna Deltala Parirakshana Samithi, Environmental Professor, KGRL College, Bhimavaram stated that ONGC, Reliance utilizing latest technology for production, exploration and marketing but not utilizing latest technology for preparation of Environmental impact assessment report and he informed that identifying the bench marks by utilizing computer modeling and the ONGC can prove that subsidences not occur due to Oil exploration. He expressed that by using remote sensing technology the long term impacts on the environment shall be studied and by using advanced technology the ONGC shall prove that the land subsidence will not occur due to exploration of Oil. He also stated that the farmers are afraid about the water in the drains are flowing backwards. Sri Komidi Rajagopalaraju, Nagendrapuram stated that the officials of the A.P.Pollution Control Board not explained their opinion about the project and state government is transporting the Natural gas to Gujarath and other states. He asked the ONGC that whether ONGC has given any subsidy for Diesel, Kerosene for already produced Gas and also asked that the job opportunities due to the proposed activity. Sri K.Suryanarayana Raju, Kolamuru Village, Undi Mandal stated that he is not against the development and submitted a representation during the public hearing regarding exploration of wells shall only be taken up after construction of retaining wall for drain. A copy of the representation is kept as Annexure- D.

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

Sri T.Kasturi Ranga, Sitaramapuram Village, Narsapuram Mandal stated that the Sitarampuram Villagers are attended for the public hearing and said that villagers of Sitarampuram are against the proposed activity. He stated that the villagers of Sitarampuram Village have no objection, if ONGC able to stop the blowouts. I nformed that ONGC failed to stop the blowout occurred in Amalapuram and it was finally stopped by the Americans. He stated that only one bridge is existing, in Sitaramapuram which is very weak and if the project comes, heavy vehicles of ONGC will be passed through that bridge and thereby the bridge will be collapsed. He requested the ONGC to construct a new bridge before starting drilling activity in Sitarampuram Village. He asked the ONGC to clarify when the compensation will be given to the affected people before the blowout or after the blowout. He requested ONGC to adopt the Sitarampuram village and also requested to provide Community Health Centre for Sitaramapuram Village. Sri Datla Lakshmipathi Raju, Retired Lecturer, Eluru Padu Village stated that if land subsidence occurs what type of measures that ONGC will take and he asked the ONGC that whether ONGC has done any computer modeling to predict subsidence. He informed that 10 years back ONGC conducted a survey at Eluru padu by doing bomblast in one acre of land. He informed that mostly exploration takes place in vacant lands, but in India most of the wells are proposed near to habitation and in agricultural lands. Sri Md.Magdum Ali, Member, Lok Adalat raised doubt about that vacuum created under the earth strata due to exploration of Oil and Natural Gas and is there any chances of land subsidence in surrounding villages of the drilling site. Sri V.John Kennedy, Kalla Village informed that due to the proposed project the socio economic development will takes place in surrounding villages of the drilling site and he welcomed the proposed project. Sri N.Bhaskara Rao, Vendra Village, Palakoderu Mandal, West Godavari stated that ONGC identified five survey no.s at Vendra Village and the proposed drill site is near to the road and 30 residential houses are existing near to the proposed well. He requested to provide rehabilitation for the villagers residing near to drilling site before starting up of the drilling activity.

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

Smt. Radha Rani, Advocate, Kovvur, West Godavari District informed that ONGC providing infrastructure facilities for Schools, Drinking water facilities to the nearest villagers of the drilling site and she requested the ONGC to provide fund for purchasing of Furniture, to Bar Association room. The Chairperson, Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari, after recording the concerns of the public, the Chairperson of the Environmental Public Hearing panel requested the project authorities to respond to the queries raised by the public. Sri.P.R.Bhavana, DGM- Geology, ONGC, Rajahmundry stated that the MoE & F constituted 5 members of expert committee to study the land subsidence in KG Basin. The committee visited Krishna and Godavari Districts and contacted the ONGC officials and Parirakshana Samithi Members and submitted a report to Honble High Court. He read the few points of the report submitted by the expert committee to the Honble High Court There is no direct evidence available to the committee to indicate any land subsidence in the Gas fields or the adjoining areas of Krishna Godavari basin. From Geological Considerations also this region does not appears to the prone to significant land subsidence. He informed that the committee however suggested that an expert organistion like the I ndian school of mines may be entrusted with a detailed study on existing or likely land subsidence in the region and the ONGC has no objection to allot work to Indian schools of mines to study the land subsidence.

He accepted the examples of land subsidence occurred in various countries as stated by the Delta Parirakshana Samithi Members and also explained the reasons for occurring of subsidence for other countries. But the geological set up of KG basin is entirely different. Hence this basin is not prone to any subsidence. The court case is pertaining to only production process and is not related to the exploration project. He informed that about 2005 Geo Scientists are working in ONGC and said that ONGC is having eleven research institutes to study the exploration of Oil and Natural Gas. He stated that ONGC is having Petroleum license and this public hearing is only for additional 13 exploratory wells and also informed that they need to approach the MoEF again before production of Oil and Natural Gas. He informed that Bench marks details are obtain from Geological survey of I ndia and stated that ONGC will provide primary Education, Drinking water facilities, Health Care

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

support to the Villagers residing near to the drilling site. He said that the proposed project is only exploratory borewells where refilling is not required and also informed that the exploration of Oil and Natural Gas is from sand stone only. Finally he said that as per the Geological formation of the KG basin no refilling is required even after production of the Gas. The Environmental Engineer, APPCB, Eluru informed that as per EI A Notification, the Collector & District Magistrate and officials of the A.P.Pollution Control Board are only witnesses for the public hearing and cannot provide any opinion at this stage. He informed that before starting of the drilling activity the ONGC shall obtain Consent for Establishment and Consent for Operation of the Board. He stated that the ONGC shall obtain Environmental Clearance again before production of Natural Gas in case of the commercial viability of the project. He readout the summary of minutes for conformation to the public. the He informed that the project material was displayed at 43 places in the District and strictly followed guidelines and procedure of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification in conducting the public hearing. He further informed that the copies of the minutes will be displayed at the concerned Panchayath Offices and other offices as specified in the Notification for information of the public. Copies of the representations received during the public hearing are kept as Annexure- E. The Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari concluded the public hearing informing that all the views, expressed by the public are recorded and will be submitted to the Authority for necessary examination.

Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari Environmental Engineer, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Eluru

Please purchase PDFcamp Printer on http://www.verypdf.com/ to remove this watermark.

STATEMENT OF I SSUES RAI SED BY THE PUBLI C & COMMENTS OF THE APPLI CANT S. No. 1 2 I ssues Raised by Public Geological formation of rock at propsed drilling site is lime stone or sand stone. Due to exploration of Oil and Natural Gas vacuum will create under the earth strata and chances of land subsidence in surrounding villages of the drilling site EIA report is wrong and the information furnished in Form-I application regarding subsidence is not correct. Comments of the Applicant The geological formation of the drilling site is sandstone rocks. This is only an exploration & appraisal wells drilling project. There is no chance of creation of Vacuum during drilling and Testing. Well will be abandoned accordingly DGMS guidelines. As per the report submitted by the expert committee to the Honble High Court reads as follows there is no direct evidence available to the committee to indicate any land subsidence in the Gas fields or the adjoining areas of Krishna Godavari basin. From Geological Considerations also this region does not appear to be prone significant land subsidence. The said Court cases are related to the production wells. This is only exploratory drilling. Hence, this court case is not related to the project. As per the Geological formation of the KG basin no refilling is required after exploration and production of the Gas. It is not true. There are no such reports of subsidences with oil exploration projects. Further the KG Basin reserves are small when compared to others. Bench marks will obtain from Geological survey of India.

4.

Court cases and complaints

Whether refilling of well will done after exploration and production of the Gas in KG basin. Due to exploration of petroleum products in large quantities, land subsidence may take place and the area is prone to submerge with sea level. ONGC shall utilise the advanced technology of computer modeling for bench marking to prove that no susidene will occur due to the exploration in KG basin Socioeconomic developments in Primary education, Drinking water facilities, surrounding villages Health Care support to the Villagers residing near to the drilling site will be provided.