Biodiversity
Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field (KOGCF) covers an area of more than 280 km2. KPO shares the single territory with other users of natural resources, although it operates only on areas directly located under industrial facilities, pipelines and field roads.
Besides the KPO industrial facilities, there are other businesses deployed at the Karachaganak Field which are either engaged in processing of some part of the raw product produced by KPO (such as JSC “Condensate”) or provide maintenance services for the field and infrastructure facilities.
Besides KPO and third-party facilities, there are large areas of previously used agricultural land and land plots located on the Field. Until 1956 this area had been used for pastures and hayfields. After 1957, farmers started growing grain crops except the floodplains and slopes of Konchubai and Kalminovka gully, which remained as pastures. So far, the state reserve lands (SRL) prevail on the sanitary protection zone (SPZ) of KOGCF. However, some patches are being used for farms.
Thus, the above factors create certain difficulties in identifying and delineating responsibility for potential negative impacts and often limit KPO ability to take practical actions for restoration of environment and biodiversity. Nevertheless, in pursuit of minimizing the impact on biodiversity around the field area, since 2012 KPO has been developing and implementing a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
The BAP is being developed in accordance with IPIECA/OGP document titled “Instructions on development of BAP for oil and gas industry” and ESHIA 1.3.1.47 standard (document No. 1.3.1.47 HSE-IMS), according to which the operation’s potential impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services should be taken into consideration when developing oil and gas fields. Preparation of BAP includes identification of business risks associated with biodiversity and ecosystem services in order to mitigate and turn them into benefits where possible.
As part of BAP implementation, the data obtained during the monitoring at the end of 2021 suggest that:
- There is no relation between the state of soil and vegetation cover and emissions of pollutants.
- Many species of fauna adapt to physical factors that are of a continuing nature (continuous monotonous noise, traffic). For example, a settlement of beavers, gophers, bird colonies were observed in the immediate vicinity of central roads with heavy traffic near live facilities.
- KPO’s main impact on natural ecosystems is a mechanical impact as a result of construction. The disturbed areas are either patchy or of linear pattern.
- Moderate grazing of horses and cattle has been recorded in most of part the SPZ, which generally has a positive impact. However, grazing may also have negative consequences: intensive grazing can lead to a decrease in species diversity up to a complete destruction of natural soil and vegetation cover. Pastures are being increasingly overgrazed at monitoring sites further away from the production facilities inside the SPZ.
Why is it important to us?
As part of biodiversity assessment at the Karachaganak Field, KPO conducts a comprehensive assessment of risks and impacts. It is an indisputable fact that oil and gas field operation is associated with inevitable negative impacts on the environment around the production facilities and along the pipeline routes.
As part of the KPO Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), KPO has been carrying out an assessment of the several main factors that affect the Karachaganak Field’s biodiversity:
- Emissions of pollutants;
- Physical impact (noise, light, vibration);
- Cattle grazing at the Karachaganak Field area;
- Mechanical impact (construction, pits, roads, etc.).
In general, all Karachaganak operation activities in a regular mode are well within the acceptable risk range for biodiversity.
MONITORING OF BIODIVERSITY AT KOGCF
Currently KPO is carrying out the approved scope of activities planned in BAP for 2021–2023. More information about the BAP is available on www.kpo.kz website in section Sustainable development/Environmental protection/Conservation of biodiversity/BAP.
The scope of work in 2021 included a comprehensive assessment of fauna dynamics at KOGCF area.
Table. 46. Targets in biodiversity conservation
|
Our targets in 2021 |
Target achievement |
Actions taken in 2021 |
Targets in 2022 |
|
Conduct the monitoring of fauna, including key and rare species |
Complete |
Field studies on fauna monitoring were conducted from May 22 to June 2 and from September 4 to September 14, 2021. |
Conduct the monitoring of flora (vegetation), including key and rare species |
Fauna monitoring in 2021
Monitoring of fauna in the Karachaganak field was carried out during spring and autumn of 2021. Field studies were carried out on 17 walking routes and 5 observation sites using standard techniques for the live examination of vertebrates.
During the research 2 species of amphibians, 4 species of reptiles, 106 species of birds and 19 species of mammals were identified.
The results of fauna monitoring (amphibians, reptiles, birds and terrestrial vertebrates) conducted at the Karachaganak field in 2021 and the analysis of both the number and diversity of fauna species did not reveal any noticeable negative impact from the field facilities.
Monitor key species
As part of biodiversity assessment, the KPO pays a considerable attention to the monitoring of rare plant and animal species. The priority of a particular species in matters of biodiversity conservation is determined by the priorities of international and local legislation, sensitivity and resistance to impacts and significance of possible negative impact of the company activities on the environment.
The main key species considered during the research period from 1990 to 2021 are shown on the website kpo.kz in the section Sustainable development/Conservation of biodiversity/Significant species of flora and fauna registered at KOGCF area.
All these species are also found outside KOGCF area. It should be noted that presence, absence or number of these species within the field is not a direct indicator of environmental well-being of the area. The distribution of individual species may change due to reasons both local and global (climate change, desertification, etc.), which have nothing to do with KPO activities. At the same time, it is necessary to plan and organize production activities in a way not to cause any direct and indirect effects on the population of individual species, which are an important part of the biodiversity at KOGCF and adjacent areas.
In 2021 as part of monitoring of key species number, a thorough survey of abundance and habitats of river beaver (castor fiber) species was carried out. In the spring of 2021 a decrease in the number of beaver settlements was recorded compared to previous periods.
Despite the reduction, a number of beavers in the spring period remains higher compared to the surrounding area of the region. When monitoring beavers in 2021, both in the spring and autumn periods, the water level in most reservoirs was extremely low, some ponds dried up, which affected the habitat conditions and number of beavers. The most likely relocation of beavers is to the vast reservoir on Berezovka river, most of which is not included in the research area.
KPO will continue to monitor the population of beavers living on the KOGCF area.