Wadi Sarin National Nature Reserve has been a protected area since 1973 in order to conserve its valuable landscape, traditional communities and important populations of the Arabian Tahr, an endangered and endemic mammal species. The area lies 300 – 2000m above sea level and covers an area of 800 km². However, to date the area has been managed directly by the Diwan of Royal Court and implemented by hired rangers from local communities. The objective of this project was to develop a more considered management plan that responds to the changing internal and external pressures on the Reserve.

The Five Oceans team provided terrestrial ecology support to Hyder Middle East Consulting for the proposed Etihad Railway system in the Northern Emirates. Services included the design, management, collection and analysis of data for a comprehensive terrestrial ecological baseline survey in the potential impact zones. The output of our work was the development of a detailed ecological overview of the development area to inform the assessment of potential impacts and design.

Our team has been commissioned by BP to provide multi-scope services for the exploration and production of Block 61. Specific work has included ecological, social and hydro-geological sensitivity assessment and mapping. This work has been subsequently followed by a social sensitivity assessment and framework development for BP Khazzan’s Corporate Social and Investment policy planning.

Our team has been commissioned to develop PetroChina’s Field Environmental Management System, including: Multiple ESIAs – Processing Facilities; Field Development; Raw water intake; Pipelines; Oil forwarding facility; EMS Procedures; EMP; Monitoring Programmes; Oil Spill and Emergency Response procedures; and bespoke intranet based Environmental Management System.

Since 2008, our team has been involved in multi-commissioned studies for onshore blocks 3 and 4 in Oman. The scope of services provided includes:

• Ongoing environmental support and development of environmental management systems during development prior to commissioning and production.
• Phase II Development – Scoping Study and Detailed EIA for production facilities, field development and pipelines
• Phase I Development – Scoping Study and Detailed EIA for extended well tests and early production facilities
• Permit applications for exploration activities to statutory authorities
• Preparation of EIAs for onshore drilling (multiple campaign areas) and 2D and 3D seismic data acquisition surveys (multiple, geographically separate campaign areas).
• Preliminary environmental support for drilling operations
• Environmental management plans for drilling and seismic operations

Since 2002, our team has provided multi-commissioned surveys to RAK petroleum for onshore blocks 17, 30, 31, 43a & 47 and Offshore Block 8. The scope of services includes:

• Due Diligence and Assessment of Legacy
• Permit applications for exploration and production to statutory authorities
• Preparation of EIAs for 2D Seismic (since 2002 this includes all Oman Blocks, most recently Block 30, June 2010)
• EIA for offshore production drilling, West Bukha Block 8, 2010 / 2011 Campaign
• Preparation of EIAs for 3D Seismic (Offshore Block 8)
• Preparation of Environmental Management Plans for onshore and offshore seismic ops.
• Marine Mammal Observers (MMO) for offshore seismic
• Preparation of EIAs for onshore and offshore drilling
• Offshore marine environmental observers
• Research and preparation of environmental monitors reports for submission to environmental authorities
• Research and preparation of EIA for offshore production facilities and infrastructure
• Establishment of company Environmental Management System (EMS)
• Detailed review of all pertinent National and International Environmental Legislation for Oman and UAE and review of related National standards adopted by the O&G industry
• Preparation of offshore Oil Spill Contingency Plans
• Establishment of ADCP monitoring and related oil spill trajectory modelling studies
• Development of company web-based portal for all HSE issues
• Ongoing EMS support and related studies for Oman and United Arab Emirates

Our team undertake a high level strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the masterplanning and construction phase of the Duqm Industrial Development Zone. The work, culminating in the EIA report, identified the important environmental issues associated with the construction and operation of the 40,000 ha mixed use development. An Eco-Industrial approach, with synergistic planning between industries, was used to guide the masterplanning process and develop suitable mitigation and enhancement strategies. These focused on the incorporation of existing features (e.g. ecology, archaeology and landscape features) into the masterplan to safeguard them from impact and use them to create an aspirational design for an industrial zone.  The mitigation strategies were also assimilated into a framework Environmental Management Plan that guides future tenant level development, holistic infrastructure design and long term monitoring.

The Oman government is seeking to develop a wind energy project in the south of Oman to make use of what is believed to be a wind resource of international significance. Our team has been involved in the undertaking of preliminary sensitivity analysis and the identification of opportunities and constraints for development at a range of sites. As part of this work we have provided recommendations for the preferred location for development.

Haya Water is a leading water company in Oman that provides waste water treatment services in the Muscat area. Their facility at Al Ansab includes lagoons for treated sewage effluent that have matured over 30 yrs and is now an important wetland site with a nationally important bird population. The company commissioned our team to design and supervise construction of a world class visitor facility comprising a car park and toilet block, orientation point, bird hides and pathways, and interpretation throughout focused on delivering environmental education for school children aged 6 – 18 yrs. The project was designed to provide cutting edge environmental design that is in harmony with the landscape, indigenous and functional landscaping, and a mix of high technology and traditional interpretation materials.

Since 2008, our team has supported Bauer Nimr in the undertaking of environmental monitoring and audit for the Nimr Water Treatment Project, which uses reed bed technology to biologically treat oil contaminated production water that is a by-product of PDO activities in the Nimr oil fields. The Project consists of 250 ha of reed bed and 320 ha of associated evaporation ponds, which convert the water into salts and reed biomass that are reusable products. The site can process 45,000 m³ of contaminated water per day. Following the completion of an EIA by our team, we have developed Construction and operational Environmental Management Plans for the project; and undertaken Quarterly environmental monitoring and site auditing to report compliance of the environmental permit conditions to MECA.

Our team is currently involved with airport wildlife hazard risk assessments and management plans for a number of airports in Oman. Wildlife-aircraft strikes pose a serious risk to the safety of aircraft passengers and crew and also result in significant financial costs each year as a result of aircraft damage, out of service delays (aircraft and runway) and lost aircraft. Through a process of desktop reviews, field surveys and consultations, we seek to identify possible wildlife hazards, analyse the threat they pose and develop plans to reduce the risks. Management plans include site-specific advice on the most appropriate active and passive techniques to minimise threats, including habitat modification, reducing attractants, dispersal tactics (e.g. scare techniques) and exclusion methods (e.g. fencing). All risk assessments and management plans are developed to meet local and international (ICAO) standards.