GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 13493

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the implementation of the proposed exploratory drilling on (Blocks L-5, 7, L-11A, L-11B and L- 12) in Lamu basin offshore, Kenya. The Proponent (Anadarko Kenya Company) is proposing to perform drilling to explore for commercial hydrocarbon resources in waters offshore Kenya. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Potential impact to sensitive marine fauna, fishing or tourism from accidental releases of liquid such as drilling fluid or fuel  Ensure drilling fluid additives and other liquids (e.g., paint and solvent) are securely stored and managed to help prevent releases into the marine environment.  Be ready to implement oil spill and emergency response procedures for accidental bunkering/refueling - incidents.  Avoid refueling/bunkering at sea during periods of rough weather or limited visibility conditions.  Adhere to standard operating procedures during refueling to minimize incidents.  Ensure that refueling hoses and check valves are in a good working condition prior to usage. Degradation of marine water quality from accidental releases of oil (loss of well control)  Ensure that all personnel involved in the drilling operation are highly trained and familiar with deepwater drilling operating standards, techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, testing, monitoring and other procedures recognized across the industry as necessary to manage and contain pressures within limits that ensure a safe and environmentally sound well.  Tailor oil spill response preparations to consider the results of oil spill trajectory models and sensitive areas along the shoreline that may potentially be impacted by an accidental release of oil.  Maintain contract with Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) for support in responding to any potential Tier 2 and 3 spills that require outside support.  Identify extreme weather patterns or other natural hazards that could impact the area and include planning for such events in the emergency response plan.  Review potential spill trajectories and spill response plans with the project team and appropriate crew members prior to start-up of drilling activities.  Notify local officials before drilling commences and maintain communication throughout the project, as appropriate.  Communicate with local port, marine navigation and fishing authorities in advance of drilling activities to make aware of location and schedule of the proposed drilling program and to establish a reliable means of communication between the drillship captain, government marine authorities and sea users during the drilling program.  Consider trans-boundary oil spill planning in the ERP/OSCP. Potential impacts to marine water quality, marine fauna, coastal resources, fishing or tourism from an accidental release of oil  Ensure that all personnel involved in the drilling operation are highly trained and familiar with deepwater drilling operating standards, techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, testing, monitoring and other procedures recognized across the industry as necessary to manage and contain pressures within limits that ensure a safe and environmentally sound well.  Tailor oil spill response preparations to consider the results of oil spill trajectory models and sensitive areas along the shoreline that may potentially be impacted by an accidental release of oil.  Maintain contract with Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) for support in responding to any potential Tier 2 and 3 spills that require outside support.  Identify extreme weather patterns or other natural hazards that could impact the area and include planning for such events in the emergency response plan.  Review potential spill trajectories and spill response plans with the project team and appropriate crew members prior to start-up of drilling activities.  Notify local officials before drilling commences and maintain communication throughout the project, as appropriate.  Communicate with local port, marine navigation and fishing authorities in advance of drilling activities to make aware of location and schedule of the proposed drilling program and to establish a reliable means of communication between the drillship captain, government marine authorities THE KENYA GAZETTE 28th September, 2012 3736 3736 and sea users during the drilling program.  Consider trans-boundary oil spill planning in the ERP/OSCP. Potential damage to subsea telecommunications infrastructure  Review locations of subsea cables in relation to proposed drill sites prior to Mobilization and modify well locations if needed.  Perform pre-drill visual inspection of seabed at proposed well sites using submersible, remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Potential damage to sensitive marine fauna from contact with hull or propeller  Reduce speeds when a whale or sea turtle is sighted and alter course to maintain a 500m separation.  No head on approach of marine mammals within 500m.  Post a look out if within 500m of a whale if sighted by vessel captain or crew. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Lamu County. The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process of the plan. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, MR/0516581 National Environment Management Authority.