Since the field is located in the peripheral parts of a national park, extensive conservation work is carried out.
The four "ISG Southern Fields" will be developed and phased in as production from the north starts to decline. The ISG Joint Association is currently acquiring 3D seismic from the southern fields. Work began in May 2008 and is scheduled to last for 15 months. The work requires some 100 vehicles including ten 25-tonne vibro-trucks. Some 400 workers are deployed in the desert, where summer temperatures can reach 50 degrees C. In December 2008, the crew reached an impressive safety milestone - one million work-hours without a lost-time injury.
One important consideration for the project is that the Southern Fields are located within the northwestern peripheral zone of the Ahaggar National Park, which is an extensive area of Algeria preserved for its archaeological, historical, faunal, floral, geological, and landscape qualities. Legislation is in force to protect, conserve, and promote the cultural and natural heritage of the park. The Ahaggar National Park is classified as category II in the International Conservation Union (IUCN) classification system.
To identify and cope with the environmental challenges, a study was carried out by independent consultants to chart environmentally sensitive areas, define "exclusion zones" and areas where restrictions on activities will apply. All sites of potential environmental interest were surveyed, and planned seismic lines were moved to minimise interference with sensitive areas. Oases, palm gardens, ancient villages, rare plants, reclusive animals and archeological remains also represent challenges for the operations. Salah town with its 30,000 inhabitants is also located within the seismic area. Prior to start-up, these concerns were addressed in the Access Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, a document which was presented to the Algerian authorities.
To avoid compromising the environment of the National Park, we strive to conduct our seismic campaign in accordance with relevant international agreements, Algerian legislation, and policies and requirements of the operating companies. To attend to relations with local authorities and community members, a local Community Liaison Officer was employed. Dedicated personnel with environmental and archaeological competence are in place in the field. The employees have received environmental awareness training, and all supervisors have undergone archaeological training. Special forms have been developed to report archaeological and environmental findings and track environmental actions.
We aim to keep interference with the surroundings to a minimum and limit bulldozing and vehicle movement to avoid environmental disturbance and degradation of surface soils. It is our objective to return the affected locations to their former state, leaving no lasting effects on the flora, fauna and general desert environment.
It is our objective to control waste management by maximising recycling and reuse and managing water use on the sites. Wastewater treatment equipment is in place, together with mobile incinerators and dewatering machines. All hazardous materials are to be secured and fuel stored with triple containment to avoid spills.
