Exchange of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study contract with the National Iranian South Oilfields Company.

Iran, with its vast oil and gas resources, has maintained its role in global markets as the second largest oil producer in OPEC. In recent years, the extraction and exploitation of oil and gas reservoirs have never been without ecological side effects, and in some cases have caused severe and irreversible environmental impacts. These processes may lead to various environmental consequences depending on the stage of the process, the complexity and scale of the project, the nature and sensitivity of the surrounding environment, the effectiveness of plans and programs, pollution prevention methods, and techniques for controlling and mitigating impacts.
In this context, the Environmental and Sustainable Development Division in 2019, through a tender process (QCBS method), succeeded in obtaining two major projects in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the oil industry. The titles of these projects are:
•    “Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment studies for the maintenance and production enhancement plan of reservoirs of the National Iranian South Oilfields Company in the central and northern Khuzestan regions and neighboring provinces.”
The total contract value amounts to 26,349,663,000 IRR. It should be noted that these two projects are classified among the “Ten Command Projects of Imam” and national mega projects.
The main objective of conducting EIA studies is to ensure compliance with the policies and goals defined in project programs and activities in line with environmental regulations, standards, and criteria, ultimately providing a pathway to achieve the concept of sustainable development, i.e., aligning development with environmental, social, economic, and cultural considerations.
The nature of activities in these projects involves oil extraction, divided into subsurface and surface operations. Major activities include drilling oil wells, constructing transmission lines (oil, gas, etc.), road construction, and facilities such as desalination, sweetening, and compressor stations. In the central and northern Khuzestan project, 9 reservoir packages will be assessed, while in neighboring provinces 10 reservoir packages will be studied. In total, 7 EIA volumes will be prepared.
The scope of studies is extensive, covering over 180 drilling wells and 150 oil pipelines, and given the environmental sensitivities of Khuzestan and Bushehr provinces, the projects will involve significant complexities.
The Environmental and Sustainable Development Division of Moshanir Consulting Engineers Company intends to carry out these EIA studies within one year, based on the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection, utilizing the company’s expertise and capabilities, and will obtain the necessary permits from the Department of Environment.