Construction of the East Africa Crude Oil PipelineIt has been criticized fiercely for being detrimental to the natural ecosystem and threatening the ecological balance of nature in these areas.
If we see similar projects in recent years, this perception could change and we might reach a new narrative. Sustainable Development is not competitive with nature conservation. Many similar projects such as Cairn India pipeline are examples. Gujarat, India’s most industrialized state, is also home to the GIR Forest, last home to Asiatic lions.
Oil Exploration and Processing projects are limited in their geographic reach and therefore do not affect the natural ecosystem. However oil pipelines have been widely criticised for affecting the ecosystem in general due to its extensive geographical presence. Let’s look at a recent example of a similar project in India.
It was a cloudy, grey day in Jamnagar Gujarat India when I packed my things to travel to a remote spot on the crude oil pipeline. My technicians set up the tools, and I sat down right behind the driver.
After travelling approximately 30 KMs, our vehicle stopped at a bridge. A team of security officers and a Land Liaison Officer waited to receive us.
After briefing us on the orientation of the Pipeline, pointing out natural landmarks that it passes, we began to walk along the pipeline.
This was a rare technological feat and an extraordinary activity. One of the heating cables of the World’s Longest Electric Heated Crude Oil Pipeline was damaged and needed to be repaired.
The fault location was previously determined by connecting it to special equipment at the terminal point nearest AGI.
Now, we will reach the designated point and excavate it for verification. Then, the cable will be repaired before it goes back to normal operation.
Cairn India’s 684 km long Crude oil pipeline will hold the record for longest heated pipeline, until a similar project EACOP is completed in Uganda or Tanzania.
As we walked along the farmlands bordering forest protected areas fence, suddenly a pair of jackals raced to catch a rabbit ahead. The animals were very fit and grabbed their prey with great ease.
A local security guard stated that they were aged between 4-5 years and 5-6 years. This means they were born around the time that pipeline construction activity was at its peak.
The Cairn Project Team accomplished the difficult task of restoration. The top fertile, black soil layer was removed. It was kept separately and was then refilled in the same manner as before.
Even though the team tried to relocate trees with their roots and soil intact, not many of these attempts were successful.
However, the arduous attempts to restore nature to its normal state were without doubt inspiring, thought-provoking, but most importantly rewarding.
This was possible because of the meticulous planning and the untiring hardwork on the ground as a result of implementation.
Today’s visit confirmed my belief that nature is capable of restoring equilibrium to itself if it is temporarily disturbed within its fragile limits.
The EACOP Project looks similar to the Cairn India Pipeline, but it is far more complicated due to its length. It also has a more difficult and challenging terrain to work in.
The route has more wilderness than the former and less farmland. It crosses many Waterbodies such as the Lake Victoria basin, and a few other.
The pipeline will traverse many areas that are home to endangered and protected species.
This area of the African Continent offers a wealth of biological diversity that is a gift from nature to all mankind.
These projects are planned with a sense that they have a responsibility to restore the ecosystem to its normal state.
These projects should not be motivated by a short term profit statement. Instead, a far-sighted and open-minded approach that emphasizes restoring nature’s integrity and stability yields better results. EACOP Team envisions the Pipeline construction as having a net positive Biological impact.
Local communities, Nature Conservationists, and other organizations sharing common interests should focus on helping EACOP Team to complete the Project according to schedule.
The project will be delayed if it is not necessary to stop at key locations. This will limit the potential for nature to restore itself.
These rich wildlife conservation programs often suffer from a lack of funding. A quick construction will ensure minimal impact on wildlife after restoration. Additionally, the huge cash inflow will ensure sufficient funding of critical conservation programmes, making it a win-win situation.
In a nutshell: People and organizations that are concerned about the environment need to improve the pipeline construction so it can be laid quickly and returned to its users.
A few years after construction is completed, farmers will continue to till their fields, fishermen will continue their daily routine, and once again huge herds Wildebeest will be racing to the never-ending journey of Life The Great Migrations. Meanwhile, predators like Lions will set up ambushes to provide an opportunity for them to hunt down their prey.
The Hyenas will be looking for prey, while the Elephants will continue to walk gracefully unaffected by smaller creatures. As such, the cycle of life will continue without any creature realizing that oil is flowing silently and stealthily beneath them.
Niranjan Singh Rathore
Ex-Senior Engineer Elect. Cairn India, Vedanta
