Biodiversity

KPO is committed to carry out its operational activities with minimal impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Company took responsibility for conducting the biodiversity research in the area of its activities.

As per the declared goal to minimise the impact on biodiversity within the Field territory, since 2011 KPO has been developing and implementing a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). This plan is developed in accordance with the methodology stipulated in the Standard 1.3.1.47 ESHIA and the Guide to biodiversity action plans for the oil and gas sector published by the IPIECA and IOGP associations. Development of the BAP involves identifying business risks related to biodiversity and ecosystem services addressing them appropriately and, where possible, turning them into opportunities.

The implementation of BAP allows applying an integrated, coordinated and consistent approach to conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment while pursuing production activities at KPO.

To date, the Company fully implemented a scope of work planned in BAP for 2018–2020.

Tab. 41. Our targets in environmental protection

MONITORING OF BIODIVERSITY AT THE KARACHAGANAK FIELD

In the course of the monitoring of flora and fauna at the Karachaganak field being conducted since 2011 on a regular basis, no adverse impact on the latter’s habitats from the KPO’s production activities has been observed. On the contrary, the absence of agricultural activity, the overall protection of the area and almost complete absence of the human disturbance factor have contributed to creating favourable conditions for the life cycles of local flora and fauna in the field, thus enabling for conservation of rare species.

Monitoring of entomofauna in 2020. The monitoring of entomofauna was performed in the Karachaganak field over the period from June 26 to July 6 of 2020.

The purpose of this monitoring is to study the species composition and diversity of entomofauna and to determine the presence of any significant measurable changes associated with the KPO operations in order to adjust the Company activities aimed at the biodiversity preservation.

In the course of the entomofauna survey held in 2020, 349 species or subspecies of insects and spiders related to class 2, 14 orders, 103 bloodlines and 290 genus were revealed on 20 monitoring sites of the Field.

Species diversity of entomofauna is given in graph 25.

Graph. 25. Results of the entomofauna surveys in 2020

One of the species listed in the Qazaqstan Red Data Book, – Iphiclides podalirius L. butterfly is characterised as a depopulating specie.

The results of the study have revealed that the most significant anthropogenic factors affecting the entomofauna at this time are merely grazing and steppe fires.

No any significant impact by the Karachaganak production activities on species and number of the entomofauna has been identified.

At this stage of the KPO operations, no any significant negative impacts on the biotopes is planned, and therefore the impact on entomofauna within low significance is expected. Nevertheless, the dynamics of the entomofauna state will be monitored as part of the implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan.

Biodiversity Action Plan for 2021 – 2023

In 2020, alongside with the monitoring of the entomofauna, KPO developed a Biodiversity Action Plan for the period of 2021 – 2023.

The 2021–2023 BAP stipulates the core areas of the KPO activities for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in the region in line with the KPO Sustainable Development Charter.

Tab. 42. Biodiversity Action Plan for 2021–2023