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Highlights of the report
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons conducted a 6-day workshop series with all the relevant stakeholders of the oil and gas industry in India to inform, educate and update them about the compliances and regulations regarding exploration and production activities in the Indian sedimentary basins. The outcomes of the 6-day workshop series have been put into a report by Social Friendly.
Recordings of the Sessions
Day 1 – April 9, 2021
Day 2 – April 16, 2021
Day 3 – April 23, 2021
Day 4 – April 30, 2021
Day 5 – May 7, 2021
Day 6 – May 21, 2021
India’s compliance universe is large with 1,536 acts, 69233 compliances and 6,618 filings in the various states. In the Environment sector, there are 107 acts, 2,922 compliances and 231 filings.
The key approvals required to carry out E&P activities in a block are as follows
- The block is allotted by the GoI. It may be PEL or PML. Offshore blocks are given by the central government directly. Onshore blocks have to be allotted by the state.
- If it’s a PEL in forest land, the state government can allot it directly.
- If it’s a PML in forest land, the state government will seek centre’s approval under section 2 (iii) of FCA, 1980.
- Once PML has been granted, the location has to be identified and released after taking out a survey.
- Post survey, Environmental Clearance (EC) (“A” category [Development] or B2 [Explosion]) is mandatory.
- A project that combines both development and explosion proponents can apply for “A” category clearance but is not eligible for exemption under the Explosion part.
- EC (CTE, CTO and Hazardous Waste Authorization) from State Pollution Control Board and NOC from Central/State Ground Water Authority for drawl of ground water are mandatory for all E&P projects, requiring EC under EIA notification, 2006.
- EC is kept on hold till Stage -1 FC is submitted and delay in submitting FC beyond 12 months (max extension by 6 months), has to be started afresh on a de-novo basis.
- CRZ (coastal on land and location) clearance is also mandatory if the location is falling under a coastal area.
- Before the start of the drilling, mines have to be notified and declared by appointing an owner, agent, mines manager etc.
- PESO license for the HSD tank of the rig also needs to be obtained for each individual drilling location as per rig movement/drilling program.
- PESO license is also required to store petroleum class B exceeding 1,000 litres in a storage tank.
- After a meeting with the Hon’ble Minister of State Commerce & Industry on 18.12.2019, it was decided to deploy Refueller/Browser by obtaining license for transporting petroleum in Form XIX instead of seeking Storage License for HSD tank for each drilling location.
To learn more, read the full report.
