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GUWAHATI: Amid strong protests against ministry of environment, forest and climate change giving environmental clearance for drilling and testing of hydrocarbons at seven locations under Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Area in Tinsukia district to Oil India Limited (OIL), the company said that its operations will have no impact on the bio-diversity hotspot.
The company in a statement said, “OIL will be able to accomplish this task of exploring hydrocarbon reserves under the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park by use of the Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) technology by which the target depth of around 3.5 km beneath the surface of the National Park will be reached without carrying out any drilling activity inside the national park.”
“By using this technology wells can be drilled up to a depth of approximately four kilometres from the existing well plinth without entering the protected area. This is a state of the art technology where drilling will take place around at an average more than 1.5 kilometres outside the demarcated area of the national park where OIL already is carrying out hydrocarbon exploration since last 15 years (Baghjan area). OIL once again reiterates that no disturbance to the environment and Dibru-Saikhowa national park is envisaged due to use of ERD technology,” the company stated.
In order to tap the hydrocarbon resources underneath the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, OIL had approached statutory bodies for obtaining necessary permissions in 2016. “OIL went through an elaborate process for obtaining the necessary approvals from statutory bodies after fulfilling the stringent guidelines and adhering to various compliances and establishing the fact that OIL will not enter the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Area,” it added.
“If commercial viability of hydrocarbon production is established, then production of oil and gas will help in meeting energy needs of the country and will also lead to socioeconomic development of the area and its vicinity. The commercial production from this area shall enable OIL to meet the vision of our Prime Minister towards 10% reduction in imports and also fulfilling North East Vision 2030,” the company stated.