Environmental impact assessment for the Tasi Mane project

The situation

The Government of Timor-Leste plans to facilitate the development of oil and gas resources in Timor-Leste. This is a critical part of their strategic vision for the nation, and is central to securing new commercial and industrial activities that can contribute to sustainable social and economic growth for the country.

Approach

Advisian prepared an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Suai Supply Base, and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) for the Betano Petrochemical Refinery and the Beaco LNG Plant.

Baseline surveys and impact assessments were undertaken in the field for:

• Geological/geotechnical conditions

• Air quality

• Noise

• Land use

• Visual amenity

• Water quality

• Hydrology/hydrogeology

• Terrestrial biodiversity

• Marine ecology and fisheries

• Traffic and transport

• Socio-economic conditions

We also developed an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) framework to establish guidelines for environmental best practice during construction and operation.

Results

The EIA enabled our client to obtain regulatory approval for the Suai Supply Base. The SEAs for the Betano Petrochemical Refinery and the Beaco LNG Plant helped to improve project designs by avoiding potential environmental constraints, and will help to scope and deliver the required level of environmental assessment needed for regulatory approvals once the project designs are sufficiently advanced. Through collaboration with our client, an innovative approvals strategy to address a lack of project detail for the refinery and LNG plant was developed.