Lok Sabha Question No. 4778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Hydro-carbon Projects
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: K. Jayakumar, T. R. Paarivendhar

## 4778. DR. K. JAYAKUMAR: DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

## Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  total  quantum  of  agricultural  land  acquired  for  implementation  of  HydroCarbon projects in Delta region;

(b) whether the Union Government has made any survey on the delta region of the possible side-effects and losses on agricultural crops/yields by implementing these projects, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  announce  white  paper  on  the  HydroCarbon projects to clear the doubts and fear of the people, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the Hydro-Carbon projects proposed to be located in Tamil Nadu;

(e)  the  details  of  pre-project  clearances  to  be  obtained  before  commencement  of these projects; and

(f) the status of these clearances for Tamil Nadu projects?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान )

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) Oil India Limited (OIL) has informed that they have purchased a plot of agriculture land  measuring  8.19 acre  for  drilling  one  exploratory  well  under  Krishna  Godavari Basin Project in the district of East Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has informed that they have acquired land of 47.18 acre in  Cauvery Asset on permanent basis and 1728.73 acre on temporary basis. Total temporarily acquired land for ONGC operations under Krishna-Godavari Basin (Rajahmundry Asset) including land under marginal fields and permanently acquired land for Base office/workshop etc. is 2692.324 acres.

(b) & (c) Exploration and production activities are coexisting with agriculture not only in  delta  region  but  in  other  parts  of  the  country  also.  Exploration  and  production activities  for  hydrocarbons  have  to  comply  with  Health,  Safety  and  Environment protection related statutory guidelines. These clearances are obtained from different authorities.  Operators  can  commence  Exploration  &  Production  operations  only when  all  the  relevant  approvals  have  been  obtained.  Further,  Oil  &  Natural  Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been carrying Exploration and Production activities in delta region for more than 50 years after getting relevant approvals.

(d) & (f) The details of projects awarded during 2019-20 in the state of Tamil Nadu are as below:

| OALP Round   | Block Name      | Company                        |   Area in Sq. Km. | States/UT   |   Total/State- wise Area in Sq. Km. | District                  |
|--------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|-------------------|-------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| II           | CY-ONHP- 2018/1 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited |            474.2  | Tamil Nadu  |                              474.2  | Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur  |
| III          | CY-ONHP- 2018/2 | ONGC                           |            459.83 | Tamil Nadu  |                              386.53 | Cuddalore, Nagapattinam   |
| III          | CY-ONHP- 2018/2 | ONGC                           |            459.83 | Puducherry  |                               73.3  | Karaikal                  |
| III          | CY-ONHP- 2018/3 | ONGC                           |           1403.4  | Tamil Nadu  |                             1259.43 | Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram |
| III          | CY-ONHP- 2018/3 | ONGC                           |           1403.4  | Offshore    |                              143.97 | -                         |

Central Government has granted Petroleum Exploration Licenses (PELs) for offshore areas, the same is yet to be granted by Government of Tamil Nadu with respect to onshore areas.

(e) The following clearances are obtained before commencement of Hydrocarbon projects  from  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC)/ State Pollution Control Board:

- i. Environment Clearance;
- ii. Forest Clearance (FC) if the project involves diversion of forest land;
- iii. Wildlife  Clearance  (WLC)  if  the  project  falls  within  Eco-Sensitive  Zone  of Protected areas (Sanctuaries, National Parks, etc);
- iv. Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Clearance if the project falls in CRZ area;
- v. Consent  to  Establish  and  Consent  to  Operate  from  State  Pollution  Control Board.

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