Page 157 - DGH_Annual_Report

Environmental and Regulatory Oversight in India’s ream Oil & Gas Sector 157

III. Documentary on Environmental
Aspects of E&P Activities: To address
public misconceptions comparing E&P
activities with conventional mining, DGH
produced a documentary highlighting
the environmental, social, and economic
aspects of responsible oil and gas operations.
It emphasizes community health, skill
development, conservation efforts, and
adherence to best practices.
IV. Study on Climate Change Impact
on Offshore E&P Activities: DGH, in
collaboration with CSIR-NIO, Goa, has
initiated a study to assess the vulnerability of
offshore infrastructure to extreme weather
events and climate change. The project
includes the development of a Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) to provide early
warnings and guide risk mitigation for
offshore operations.
V. Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) Study
on ERD/HDD Impact on Wildlife and
Biodiversity: Following MoEF&CC’s
directive (dated 12.09.2023), which permits environmental safeguards and stakeholder
Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) in forest engagement.
areas without prior Forest Clearance under
specific conditions, DGH in association with 8.5 Key Developments During the Year
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has initiated
a study which aims to assess the impact of 8.5.1 Amendment to the Oilfields
ERD/Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) (Regulation and Development) Act and Its
technologies and surface facilities on wildlife Implications
and above-ground biodiversity outside
forest boundaries. Baseline data collection The recent amendment to the Oilfields
involving the study is underway in the North- (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 through
East region. The findings will support the the Oilfields (Regulation and Development)
development of region-specific guidelines to Amendment Act, 2025, marks a pivotal shift
ensure compliance and minimize ecological in legislative clarity and sectoral governance.
impact. The amendment explicitly removes the term
"mining" from the definition of "mineral oil" and
This suite of institutional mechanisms introduces the term "Petroleum Lease" in lieu
underscores MoP&NG and DGH’s of "Petroleum Mining Lease," thereby formally
commitment to fostering an enabling distinguishing petroleum operations from
environment for hydrocarbon exploration conventional mining activities.
and production while ensuring robust
This statutory refinement acknowledges the
unique technical, environmental, and operational
characteristics of petroleum exploration and
production. Historically, oil and gas projects have
been evaluated under regulatory frameworks
and procedural norms intended for conventional
mining, resulting in systemic bottlenecks. These
include:

Imposition of mining-specific environmental
and forest clearance conditions that do not
correspond to the nature of E&P operations.