Transporter of hazardous oil and gas chemicals exempted from EIA

Hazardous chemicals transporter, Source One Oil and Gas Marine Supplier Inc, has been exempted from an Environment Impact Assessment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The company transports hazardous and flammable chemicals for contractors to ExxonMobil’s offshore operations here as well as provides services to Baker Hughes and Halliburton facilities located on the East Bank Demerara.

In its screening report, the EPA said the overall significance of environmental impacts is considered to be medium and manageable from a technical, social, and financial point of view. “Therefore, this existing project is exempt from the conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as set out in section 11(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana,” its screening results stated.

Further, the EPA maintains that if any environmental impact was to occur, the magnitude may be moderate to major as a result of the nature of the chemicals and risk to fauna and water quality. However, the impact is not expected to be continuous, and is predicted to be short term, localised, and with a functional recovery in short duration

Source One’s operations are being executed by local businessman, Terry Singh, and primarily operates between Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara and Georgetown.

Although the EPA took the decision to waive the EIA, it recommended a menu of protective measures to be in place at all times. These include a) the company should ensure that only one type of chemical is transported at any given time; b) chemicals must be transported in containers appropriate for the chemicals (e.g flammable chemicals must be in ISO steel containers); c) severely toxic and highly flammable chemicals are to be transported only during nonpeak hours (10:00 pm-4:00 am) and accompanied by the Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Police Force escort when necessary; d) the carrying capacity of trucks transporting chemicals must not exceed its stipulated amount; e) transportation vessels must be outfitted with spill kits and drivers trained in HAZMAT (hazardous materials) response and communication; and e) the company must have an established Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to address any spills.

The company currently transports various types and categories of oil & gas production chemicals. Seventeen per cent of transported chemicals are categorised as severely toxic and 12 per cent as highly flammable with flashpoints below 73.4°F (23°C).

The chemicals are of both solid and liquid state and are transported in containers appropriate for the chemicals including IBC totes, drums and bulk bags. The EPA said that chemical containers are shrink-wrapped to pallets where necessary and strapped to the trucks using certified equipment.

A total of 20 pallets are transported per trip and are supported by 6 flatbed trucks, 4 of which are currently active.

The company stated that 75 per cent of its staff are trained in emergency response. Management of its transport vehicles is guided by regulations set out in the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Vehicles Standards and Regulations which are relevant and applicable to Guyana.

The company in its application to the EPA highlighted that it is currently undertaking ISO certification compliance.