Strategic Assessment of the Potential Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts from Petroleum Operations in the Harper Basins

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Strategic Assessment of the Potential Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts from Petroleum Operations in the Harper Basins Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) Strategic Assessment of the Potential Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts from Petroleum Operations in the Harper Basins May 2019 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 Reasons for Bid Rounds ........................................................................................................................... 5 3.0 Description Tentative Schedule of Petroleum Activities ......................................................................... 7 4.0 PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 7 4.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 7 4.2 Demand for Oil and Gas ..................................................................................................................... 10 4.3 Fiscal Regime ..................................................................................................................................... 10 4.4 Fiscal Instruments .............................................................................................................................. 11 4.5 Windfall Profits Taxes ........................................................................................................................ 12 4.6 Bonuses .............................................................................................................................................. 12 4.7 Royalties ............................................................................................................................................. 12 4.8 Surface Rental or land/acreage rental fees ....................................................................................... 12 Production Sharing .................................................................................................................................. 13 4.10 Ring-Fencing..................................................................................................................................... 13 4.11 Loss Carry-forwards ......................................................................................................................... 13 5.0 Bid Round ............................................................................................................................................... 13 5.1 Historical Perspectives on Bid Rounds............................................................................................... 14 5.2 Joint Venture...................................................................................................................................... 15 6.0 Economic Evaluation ............................................................................................................................. 15 6.1 Assumptions....................................................................................................................................... 15 6.2 Results ................................................................................................................................................ 15 6.3 Sensitivity Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 16 6.4 Selling of Share (Privatization) ........................................................................................................... 18 7.0 PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................... 18 7.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................ 18 7.2 Potential Impacts and Alternatives ................................................................................................... 19 7.3 Methodology...................................................................................................................................... 20 7.4 The ESIA Process ................................................................................................................................ 20 7.4.1 Introduction to the Process ........................................................................................................ 20 7.5 Mitigation and Monitoring Required ................................................................................................. 21 7.6 Regulatory Review ............................................................................................................................. 21 1 | P a g e 7.6.1 Legislative Framework ................................................................................................................ 21 7.6.2 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia ....................................................................................... 23 7.6.3 Environment Protection and Management Law of the Republic of Liberia ............................... 23 7.6.4 Effluent Discharge License .......................................................................................................... 24 7.6.5 Solid and Hazardous Waste Disposal License ............................................................................. 24 7.6.6 Pollution Emission License .......................................................................................................... 24 7.6.7 National Environmental Policy ................................................................................................... 24 7.6.8 The Act Creating the Environmental Protection Agency ............................................................ 24 7.6.9 National Energy Policy ................................................................................................................ 25 7.6.10 Statements of Policy ................................................................................................................. 25 7.6.11 New Petroleum Law of Liberia ................................................................................................. 25 7.7 Institutional Framework .................................................................................................................... 27 7.7.1 Environmental Protection Agency .............................................................................................. 27 7.7.2 Liberian Coast Guard .................................................................................................................. 28 7.7.3 Ministry of Mines and Energy ..................................................................................................... 28 7.7.4 Ministry of Public Works ............................................................................................................. 28 7.7.5 Ministry of Health ....................................................................................................................... 29 7.7.6 Ministry of Internal Affairs.......................................................................................................... 29 7.7.7 Ministry of Agriculture ................................................................................................................ 29 7.7.9 National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority ............................................................................. 29 7.8 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Process ..................................................................... 29 7.9 General Background of Liberia .......................................................................................................... 30 7.9.1 Coastal Plains .............................................................................................................................. 31 7.9.2 Rolling Hills .................................................................................................................................. 31 7.9.3 Plateau and Tablelands ............................................................................................................... 32 7.9.4 Northern Highlands .................................................................................................................... 32 7.9.5 Meteorological Setting ............................................................................................................... 32 7.9.6 Precipitation................................................................................................................................ 32 7.9.7 Temperature and Sunshine ........................................................................................................ 32 7.9.8 Wind ............................................................................................................................................ 33 7.9.9 Relative Humidity........................................................................................................................ 35 7.10 Geological Setting ............................................................................................................................ 36 7.10.1 Stratigraphy .............................................................................................................................. 36 7.10.2 Structure ..................................................................................................................................
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