Air monitoring by automatic EMSs ^{GRI 413-1}

18 automatic EMS are installed within the Karachaganak Field and along the perimeter of the SPZ (EMS 001 — 018). The environmental monitoring stations are integrated into the single automatic environmental monitoring system.

Four out of 18 EMSs are located in the Field and within the SPZ. As of end 2023, 13 EMSs are based at the SPZ boundares: 006 — 018 EMSs; EMS 005 is located near the Aksai city.

Annual average concentrations of the monitored components recorded by EMSs in 2023 at the KOGCF SPZ boundary are shown in table below. The column «Actual annual average concentration» shows the minimum and maximum annual average concentrations of the monitored components recorded by each EMS.

The Annual average concentrations of the monitored components recorded by EMS in 2023

 

1Criteria of air quality assessment at the SPZ boundary is MPC one-time. EMS are configured to give a signal when the MPC one-time is exceeded.

 

All EMSs take measurement of the four main pollutants (H₂S, SO₂, NO₂, CO) on a continuous basis, i.e. 24 hours per day.

According to the data received from the EMSs in 2023, the actual daily, monthly, quarterly and annual average concentrations of the monitored components did not exceed the established sanitary and hygienic limits. While, during the year 177 cases of one-time 20-minute exceedance in H₂S concentration and one case of CO₂ exceedance were recorded.

Pursuant to the requirement of the RoK Environmental Code (Sub-it. 8, It. 2, Article 184), KPO delivered notices regarding the exceedance recorded at the EMS-017 and the EMS-007 to the WKO Environmental Department.

It should be noted that no connection was found between the exceedance shown in Table 31 and the operations of the KPO field facilities. At the times of the exceedance, all KPO facilities were functioning in normal operation mode, no well flaring or clean-ups were performed. There were no malfunctions of process equipment, leaks or unauthorized emissions, emergency or scheduled shutdowns of the process. No direct H₂S sources were revealed at the KPO facilities.

Exceedances of one-time MPC recorded by EMS’s in 2023

No gas odour complaints from the local communities adjacent to the KOGCF were raised on the date the MPC exceedances were recorded.

Air quality data from all 18 KPO automatic EMSs are transmitted online to the West-Qazaqstan Oblast Environmental Department via the Ecomonitor portal.