EIA on LNG project says risks short to medium term, reversible and localised

• EIA released last week says mitigation measures suggested to minimise adverse significant environmental, social impacts
• Potential impact may take place mainly during construction phase
• Impact could extend to marine and terrestrial environment within and near Colombo Harbour areas
• Mitigation measures, EMP to be made part of tender documents for construction work and construction contract

By Chandani Kirinde

The overall impact to the environment from the proposed Colombo LNG project is short- to medium-term, reversible, localised, and is not expected to contribute significantly to the surrounding marine and terrestrial environment, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for LNG / Gas Infrastructure Development Project for Colombo found.

The Report, which was made public last week, said that mitigation measures have been suggested to minimise the adverse significant environmental and social impacts which have been identified as part of the assessment.

The EIA was carried out to evaluate the potential environmental impacts which could arise due to the implementation of LNG / Gas Infrastructure Development Project. The process has involved an assessment of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts that may be attributed to the Project during its preconstruction, construction and operation phases.

The EIA revealed that the potential impacts of the project take place mainly during the construction phase, and the impact could be extended to marine and terrestrial environment within and near the Colombo Harbour areas.

The Report also presents the Rapid Risk assessment (RRA) for the LNG Terminal. The RRA study has included frequency analysis, consequence analysis, assessment of individual and societal risks, and has made recommendations in form of a Contingency Plan to build preparedness of the Project in relation to emergency response. Further exclusion zones have been identified surrounding the FSRU/jetty, to further eliminate potential safety risk to port users and marine traffic.

An Environment Management Plan (EMP) has also been developed to cover the implementation mechanism for the recommended mitigation measures, to counter likely adverse environmental and social impacts arising due to the FSRU, along with the proposed marine infrastructure and subsea/onshore pipeline, the Report said.

With the implementation of the pollution control mechanisms and strengthening of the existing environment and risk management systems, the anticipated impacts from the proposed LNG project are expected to be mitigated and/or reduced to nationally and internationally acceptable levels, the Report said.

The Project Owner will also ensure that the environmental performances of all the activities are monitored throughout the execution of various Project components, and will submit monitoring reports regularly to statutory authorities, as per national environmental norms.

The Report said that the EIA report’s mitigation measures and EMP will be made part and parcel of the tender documents for the construction work, and in turn the construction contract.

The LNG Project will be located in Colombo, and will implement a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU)-based terminal at the east side of the Western Breakwater of Colombo Port.

In addition, onshore and offshore gas pipelines will be developed to connect to the existing two power plants, namely, Kelanitissa and Kerawalapitiya.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among members of the Joint Venture proposing the LNG terminal i.e. Petronet LNG Limited, India, Sojitz Corporation, Japan, Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan and the Sri Lanka Gas Terminal Company Limited (a fully owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Ports Authority), was signed on 9 April 2018. 

The cabinet approval for this MOU was granted on 27 February 2018. Sri Lanka Gas Terminal Company Limited on behalf of the Joint Venture will act as the Developer for the Project.