ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR"

THE PROPOSED MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL

OIL REFINERY COMPANY (SONARA) FACILITIES
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT FOR STAKEHOLDER
CONSULTATION
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Introduction
Cameroon National Ol Refinery (SOI\lARA) was createdin 1976 to process crudeOil into
finished products to respond to the needs of the finished petroleum products in Cameroon and
to the CEMAC countries. The different petroleum products derivedfrom the refining of crude
oil by SONARA are butane, kerosene, gasoil (light and heavy), distillates and fuel oil. Primary
materials are composed essentially of crude oil produced either from Cameroon, or purchased
from other neighbouring countries that may also solicit their crude oil to be refined at SONARA.
SONARA intends to modernize its facilities to increase its production capacity for threeprincipal
reasons:
To maximize the utilization of crude oil in Cameroon;
To ameliorate the rate of utilization of ail its plant units;
To increase the quantity of different products produced.
The modernization project is intended to start in 2010. According to the SONARA
environ mental policies, the Cameroonian Environmental law of 05 August 1996 and its decree
of implementation nO 200S/0S77/PM of 23 February 2005 and the decree of categorizationof
projects subjected to ElA decree nO 070/MINEP of 22 April 2005, the modernizationproject is
subjected to a detailed environ mental impact assessment. The Terms of Reference for the
study submitted to the Minister of Environment was approved in his correspondence ref nO
TR/00000019/l/MINEP/IG/11 of 3
rd
March 2009.
The ElA for the project is being realized by two environmental consulting firms Foster Wheeler
a French consulting firm and CIME Service a Cameroon environmental consulting firm. It is
within the context of the ElA study that SONARA is carrying out stakeholder consultations.
Purpose of the Background Information Document
The present Background Information Document (BIO) is intended to inform interested and
affected organizations or persons about the Environmental Impact Assessment (ElA) that is
being conducted in preparation of the modernization of the National Oil Refinery (SONARA)
facilities.
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While theBIDprovides information on the proposed' modernization project and, the ElA,
process, it also provides an opportunity for the interested and affected persons to
stakeholders in the participative approach adopted in the ElA processand to make observations
and contributions to the proposed project. Ali relevant issues raised ,by the stakeholders wou Id-
be integrated into the ElA report.
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ENVIRONMENTALIMP ACT ASSESSMENT IN PREPARATION' FOR
THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONALOILREFINERY .
COMPANY (SONARA) FACILITIES
1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
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1.1. Location
The Cameroon NationalOil Refinery (SONARA) is locatedon the shore-of the AtlanlicOceim in
the outskirts of the town of limbe. To the west of SO NA RA is located the AESSONELand to
the east is found the . limbe shipyard. SONARA facilities extend right into the Atlantic Ocean
through its anchorage for the loading and off loading of crudeoil and petroleumproducts. The
refineris facilities cover a surface area of about 54 hectares. The new facilities are intended to
be installed within the 54 hectares.
1.2. Construction
The modernization project will be realized in two phases (Phase 1 and 2).
Phase 1
Installation of an atmospheric distillation by the addition of a 'preflash' section with a
new capacity of 3 500 000 tian.
Addition of a vacuum distillation with a new capacity of 1 300 00 tian.
New installation of a cogeneration unit operating on vacuum residue with a new
capacity of 9 MW and 11 t/h vapour HP.
Utilities and off sites (principally new storage capacities).
Phase 2
Addition of the hydrocracker distillate with a capacity of 816 000 tian (100 ! h ) ~
Production of hydrogen by reforming using light naptha vapour with a capacity of 17
000 Nm3/h.
Recuperation of hydrogen by a new PSA with a ca pa city of 15 000 Nm3/h.
Unit for the recuperation of sulphur: new capacity la t/j.
New water stripper unit.
New gas flaring unit.
Installation of a cogeneration unit operating on vacuum residue: nf'W capacity: 9 MW
and 11 tlh vapour HP. This new electricity generation is intended to supply electricity
and vapor to the new facilities during the second phase.
1.3. Sources of Energy and Water
For the processing of crude oil into finished products, SONARA uses an internai source of
energy supply. SONARA is equally connected to the AES-SONEL network to supplement its
demandin energy supply. Water used in the refining process is obtained from wells. With the
extension of the facilities more wells will be dug to increase the supply of water.
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1.4. Wastes Generation
An increase in the production of refined petroleum products will lead to an increasein the
amount of wastes produced. Three types of wastes are generated by the oil refining process;,
liquid, solid and gaseous wastes.
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Solid waste is basically inorganic (industrial mud generated from fabriction, catalystused,
metallic instruments used).
The liquid waste is generated from the process of fabrication and gaseous waste isemitted
from the plant.
Ali the different wastes types are treated before disposaI.
1.5. Employment
With the realization of the modernization plan about 800 persons will be mobilized to work on
the project for both the skilled and unskilled labour, both temporary and permanent workers.
For permanent workers SONARA provides social structures; lodging, health services, education
(primary and secondary school), restaurant, library and a sports complex.
1.6. Health, Safety and Environment
International best practices as weil as SONARA's internai Health; Safety and Environmeht
policies guidelines will be respected.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN PREPARATION FOR
THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL OIL REFINERY -
COMPANY (SONARA) FACILITIES
2. ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT ASSESSMENT
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2.1. ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT ASSESSMENT
The .EIA is a process of collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting andcommunicatinginformation
to the considerationfor each particular application. The ElA will be used'by'-the .-
competent authority to obtain an independent and objective view ofthe environmental (biophysicaland'
social) components that could arise during the operation of the modernization of the existing facilities.
EIAs are used by planning authorities/developers to obtain anindependent and objective view of the-
potential (biophysical and social) impacts that could arise during the construction and operation of the
proposed project.
2.2. Context
The Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Assessment were approved by the Minister of
Environment and Protection of Nature through his correspondence Ref: NTR/00000007/L/MINEP/IG/11
of 3
rd
March 2009. The Terms of Reference of the ElA were based on the understanding of the project,
the biological, the physical and socioeconomic setting within the domain of influence of the project. The
ElA will be carried out following the general guidelines and specifications of Law N96/12 of 5
th
August
1996 and its implementing texts.
2.3. Objective of Environmentallmpact Assessment
The objective ofthe Environmentallmpact Assessment is to provide a basis for:
informed decision making and project approvals, in which the terms and conditions are clearly
specified and implemented;
design of environmentally sound and acceptable projects that meet health and environmental
standards and resource management objectives;
appropriate follow-up, including monitoring, management and auditing to check unforeseen
impacts or mitigation; and
future improvements in ElA process and practice drawing on the information from follow-up
activities.
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2.4. General Approach ta the ElA
The approach of the ElA for the project will be based on the approved Terms of Reference for the ElA ...
The ElA is being conducted in three phases:
Scoping phase: during this phase an initial assessment will be carried
out on potential impacts of the proposed project. These potential
impacts are identified based on issues and concerns raised by
stakeholder as weil as desk-top investigations by ElA specialists.
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Impact Assessment Phase: detailed environmental studies for the investigation of potential
Impacts identified during the scoping phase will be carried out. The impacts investigated will
be analyzed and rated according to standard conventions; impact intensity, temporal and
special scale and significance. The mitigation measures based on impactsinvestigatedwillbe
elaborated as the Environmental Management Plan to maximize positive impacts and
eliminatejminimize negative impacts. The results of the specializedstudies . and the
recommendations made will be incorporated into the ElA report which will be made available
to the local population by the competent authority.
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The Decision Making Phase: As part of the approval process of the ElA report, the Minister of
Environment and Protection of Nature will organize Public Audiences which will necessitate
the operator's logistics support. The ElA approval process is to last 120 calendar days
including the holding of the Public Audiences beginning from the date of submission of the
ElA report.
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2.4.1 Impact Assessment Phase
2.4.1.1 Specialized studies
A draft environmental impact assessment report for the modernization of SONARA facilities isin the
process. Specialists' studies arebeing conducted on the physical, biological and socio-economic
environments.
Biological environment: the tlora and fauna of both the terrestrial and marine environ ment are being
studied using desk top approach. This includes information on endangered species and protected
areas, key ecological functions and species of commercial importance and the vegetation types which
are mainly composed of agro-industrial plantations.
Physical environ ment: Information on climate collected at weather stations; other aspects of the
physical environment contained in the report as weil as the soil and geology and hydrology of the area.
Socio-economic: the ElA will highlight land use and environmental resource use patterns, conflict
resolution, existing and future economic processes, cultural characteristics of the coastal and inland
area, public service infrastructure, and health and sanitation status of the population, employment,
livelihood and community development issues. Information on demography, local leadership and
political organizations, access to natural resources and usage with emphasis on the fishing and
agricultural activities. The expectations ofthe population from SONARA will also be elaborated.
Risk assessment: Details on the risk assessment will be provided in the report.
2.4.1.2 Environmental issues to be investigated during the ElA
An assessment will be made up of the impacts and benefits associated with the key issues identified
during the studies:
Effects of atmospheric emissions
Main concern: the effect of the different gases emitted on human health and the immediate
environment.
Effects of Iiquid discharges into the sea
Main concern: the effects of the liquid discharges into the environment.
Effects of discharge of solid wastes
Main concern: contamination of soils, surface and subsurface waters resulting from the disposai
of solid wastes.
2.4.1.3. Mitigation measures
Generally, the crude oil refined at SONARA currently and in the future will be of low sulphur content.
The modernization project will therefore not cause any significant environmental effects. Instead, the
envisaged project will reduce the emission of pollutant gases into the atmosphere. The liquid waste
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treatment system will be enlarged and efficient to treat liquid wastesto a quality that corresponds to'
the recommended national specifications. The cost of the liquid waste tratmntstation has been .
included in the investment budget of the modernization project.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN PREPARATION FOR---
THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONALOILREFINERY .
COMPANY (SONARA) FACILITIES
3. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
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3.1. The stakeholders' consultation program
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3.1.1. Concept andpurpose of stakeholder consultations
Stakeholders'consultation is a process of sharing information and knowledge, seekingto
understand the concerns of others and building relationshipsbsed on collaboration and
partnership.
3.1.2. Objective of stakeholder Consultation
The objectives of stakeholders' consultation are to promote sustainable development by
ensuring that development projects do not undermine critical resource and ecological functions
as weil as weil being, lifestyle and the expectations of the community where the project is to be
carried out. Hence, the present stakeholders' consultation process intends to:
~ Enable the understanding (by ail key stakeholders) of the SONARA modernization project;
~ Review the social impacts of the operations and accurately identify and resolve key issues
that may result from the operations;
~ Take into consideration local concerns throughout the duration of the operations;
~ Verify that ail impacts that may arise from the operations have beenaccurately identified
and that mitigation measures are appropriate in the local context; and
~ Optimize local benefits that can be derived from the operations.
3.1.3. Approach adopted for the stakeholder consultation
Decree W 2005/0577/PM dated 23 February 2005, an implementing text of the Framework Law
(96/12 of 5 August 1996), which lays down the procedure of realization of the ElA study, calls
for the promoter to carry out stakeholder consultations. This should be done following 30
calendar days notification of the identified stakeholder. A Background Information Document is
concomitantly sent to stakeholders for their information prior to consultation. Consultations
may however be realized earlier based on a mutual agreement between the parties concerned,
the project promoter and the stakeholders.
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The Stakeholders Consultation program for the - Assessment was -.
approved by the Minister of Environment and Protection of Nature.lable i below, shows:-the--
proposed schedule for the stakeholders' consultation meetings.
Table 1: Stakeholder Consultation Schedule
Locality Administrations/Organizations to be Venue Dates Time
consulted
Yaounde InformationmeetingwithMINEE, 1
er
Jour Monday
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. 10h00 -12h00 ---._-
MINIMIDT, MINEP, MINEPIA, 05/10/2009
MINSANTE, WWF, GTZ, Energy
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Committee
Hilton Hotel
Buea Meeting with the Governor of the 2
nd
day Tuesday 9hOO-l0hOO
South West Region with the Regional
06/10/2009
Delegates of MINEE, MINEP, MINEPIA,
Governors
MINIMIDT, MINSANTE.
Office
Limbe Meeting with the Senior Divisional 2
rd
day Tuesday 11h00 -13h30
Officer of Fako and the Divisional
Delegates of MINEE, MINEP, MINEPIA,
SDO Office 06/10/2009
MINSANTE, MINIMIDT, AES-SONEl,
Chantier Naval, SOWEDA.
".
limbe 1 Meeting withthe DivisionalOfficer of 3rdday Wednesday"
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Limbe l, traditional chiefs and local 07/10/2009
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population.
Divisional
Office
Limbe 1
Limbe Il Meeting with the Divisional Officer of 3
rd
day Wednesday 14h00 - 17h00
Limbe Il, the traditional chiefs, quarter
heads and the local population
Divisional 07/10/2009
Office
Limbe Il
Idenau Meetingwith Divisional Officer of 4
th
day Thursday 9hOO-12hoo
Idenau, traditional chiefs and the local
population
Divisional
Office
08/10/2009
Idenau
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