Environmental impact assessment

Project description
and objectives:

Part-financing of the full field development of three medium-size oil and gas fields of Tasbulat Ltd. (the Borrower), in the Mangistau region of Western Kazakhstan. Tasbulat Ltd. is a fully-owned subsidiary of SNP Petrom, the Romanian national oil company (the Sponsor).  Production at the Borrower Ltd. is expected to peak at approx. 8,000 barrels/day in 2006. The project will be partially financed EBRD through an 8-year term loan of up to USD 60 million.

The project may have an important transition impact in several areas:

(a) Demonstration effect: by showing that even Independent players can successfully obtain financing and implement oil projects in Kazakhstan, the project may invite replication by other Independents and ultimately increase competition in the sector.  

(b) The Borrower has undertaken to adhere to the highest standards of corporate governance, disclosure, accountability and transparency.

(c) The project will also set higher standards for environmental management. The Borrower will be required to adhere to levels of environmental management that comply with WB/EU standards and implement an agreed Environmental Action Plan.

Finally it should be noted that the project is an important example of cross-border investment, where a company from one of the Bank’s countries of operation (Romania) invests in another (Kazakhstan).

EIA summary:

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been developed on the basis of environmental documentation provided by the Company for investment projects associated with both supplementary exploration and development of the Tasbulat, Aktas and Turkmenoy oilfields and development of appropriate infrastructure facilities. The EIA analyses a compliance of the investment programme of the Company with the current Kazakh environmental laws and regulations and the environmental requirements of the EBRD. The EIA provides a gap analysis of environmental assessments previously carried out by Tasbulat Oil Corporation and approved at the national level and identifies environmental risks associated with the proposed investment projects and . An EIA has identified no significant risks; main environmental concerns are associated with the construction phase and can be readily mitigated. An Environmental Action Plan has been developed containing mitigation measures, committed budget and implementation schedule.

A Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan had been developed in line with EBRD Environmental and Public Information Policies.

For more details please see the attached EIA Executive Summary  (0.3Mb), Russian  (0.6Mb).

Full EIA disclosure documentation could be also viewed at: http://www.petrom.ro/engleza/publicdisclosure

Full EIA availability:

Full EIA documentation is available at:

Mangistau Oblast Environmental Protection Department
Aktau, 1st microdistrict 
Kazakhstan

Contact: Mr. Ykyslas Nogaev, (Head);

Tel: +7-3292-515471 (or 514479)
Fax: +7-3292-517058
Email: akt ecolog@nursat.kz

Manghistau Oblast Akimat;
Aktau, microdistrict 14
Kazakhstan

Contact: Zhanarova Ailan (Specialist)

Tel: +7-3292-426790 (or 426788)
Fax: +7-3292-426790
Email moup@mail.ru

Administration of the Karakyanski District
Mangistau Region, Kuryk
Kazakhstan

Contact: Kutyshev Zhumabai (Head of Division)

Tel: +7-237-21385

Aktau Regional Library
Aktau, microdistrict 7
Territory of child centre no. 21
Kazakhstan

Contact: Umbetova A. (Director)

Tel: +7-3292-514624
Fax: +7-3292-517011

Nongovernmental Public Organisations EcoMangistau

Contact: Tilep Baimagambetov (Head)

Tel: (3292) 515409

Aktau Region Public Democracy Movement "Parasat"
Aktau, microdistrict 13 building 36, apartment 96
Kazakhstan

Contact: Daniyar Oralbaev (Chairman)

Tel: +7-3292-430341

And

EBRD Almaty resident office
Kazybek Bi 41, 1st floor
480100 Almaty
Kazakhstan

Contact: Mr. Sanzhar Shalkarbekov

Tel: +7-3272-581476
Fax: +7-3272-581422

And

EBRD’s Business Information Centre in London

Enquiries:

Environmental enquiries:

Tasbulat Oil Corporation LLP,
Building 39 B, Room 310, Microraion 8, Aktau
466200 Kazakhstan

Tel. +73292 520 125/520 114/522 481
Mobile: +7300 417 4910
Fax : +7 3292 522 482
E-mail: rsofonea@nursat.kz

Contact person: Mr. Rica Sofonea (Chief of Reservoir Engineering Division)