BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 20
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
In connection with the fall in the Caspian Sea level and associated shallowing of the sea in the area of Kazakhstan’s Kashagan field offshore facilities, a need in the construction of access channels to the existing artificial islands arises, a representative of the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) which develops the field told Trend.
With the implementation of the project, a network of marine access channels including turning basins; a series of submerged berms, and deepening the existing lagoons around D, EPC 3, EPC 2, EPC 4, and А islands will be created and carried out.
Currently, the project is in the design engineering phase at the moment and has been submitted to State Expertise for approval.
“Prior to the start of the construction works engineering implementation, project approval and EIA in State Expertise Committee and other regulatory permits required for construction are to be carried out,” the official said.
Talking about the pros of the project the official said that when compared to the other alternatives creating the channels offers the best solution in terms of minimizing environmental impact, the overall health, and safety of offshore workers at Kashagan as well as maintaining production.
In turn, the project’s cons are temporary noise and vibration impacts on marine biota.
“These will be localized to the dredging works. Impact monitoring will be carried out both during the construction and the operation of the marine channels and compared against the original background environmental surveys,” the official said.
The official also added that currently, the project’s timing is subject to project approval, however, it is expected to be completed by 2Q2023.
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