Environmental impact assessment of oil and gas sector: A case study of Magurchara gas field

Paper Title: Environmental impact assessment of oil and gas sector: A case study of Magurchara gas field


Author:

J. B. Alam &  G. M. Munna
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh.
A. A. Masrur Ahmed
Department of Civil Engineering, Leading University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.
A. A. M. Ahmed
Department of Business Administration, Leading University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

Abstract:
This study focuses on the environmental impact assessment of Magurcherra gas field through environmental, socio-economical and meteorological study. The major activities involved are seismic activities, drilling activities, exploration and production. In the case of Magurcherra gas field, improper planning and drilling activities have created explosion and caused huge environmental damage. In order to evaluate the environmental damage due to exploration and drilling activities, checklist of possible environmental impact on the nature, society and socioeconomic activities of the proposed area has been identified by focus group discussion, survey and sample testing. During the observation pollution related with noise found as temporary and minor but the air is observed to be polluted by dust, SPM, SOx, NOx, and CO2 etc. The effects of explosion on the natural forests, land, wildlife, tea garden, infrastructure, local people and tea garden workers, livestock feeding, communication and transport etc are measured. During observation, water quality deterioration by spills and leaks of oil and grease, paints, solvents and chemicals was identified. It was found from the cumulative analysis of the study that the project is environmentally feasible.

Key words: Magurcherra gas, meteorological study, environmental damage, feasible, socio-economical.


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Evaluation of possible environmental impacts for Barapukuria thermal power plant and coal mine

 

Paper Title: Evaluation of possible environmental impacts for Barapukuria thermal power plant and coal mine

Authors: Md. J. B. Alam¹, A. A. M. Ahmed²*, M. J. H. Khan² and B. Ahmed²

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology,

Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh.

²Department of Civil Engineering, Leading University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: masrur@mail.lus.ac.bd.

Abstract: Barapukuria is the only natural coalmine reserve in Bangladesh that is in operation. In this study, an attempt was taken to conduct environmental impact assessment of Barapukuria thermal power and coal mining project through environmental, socio-economical and meteorological study. The analysis showed that, the Mn concentration was found in the satisfactory range. The pH was found slightly alkaline and surface water was bacteria contaminated. SO₄^2- concentration was in the range of WHO standard. Calculated SO_x loading was almost same of monitored emission. Corresponding estimated concentration of SO_x was in acceptable range, which may not bring any matter of concern. In the study, an attempt was also made to evaluate the health impacts of SPM (suspended particulate matter) emitted from the combustion of coal in the power plant. The socio economic condition was also considered a dominating factor, for the EIA along with the chemical parameters since increased employment for the project. In general, this study includes comprehensive baseline data for decision makers to evaluate the feasibility of coal power industry at Barapukuria and the coalmine itself.

Key words: Coalmine, power plant, environmental impact assessment (EIA).

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