Vedanta’s short-lived OALP project approval
Vedanta's relief at receiving environment clearance for two OALP-1 exploration and appraisal projects in Gujarat has been shortlived with authorities now having second thoughts.
By end-April 2024 (last month), Vedanta answered almost all the queries raised by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) in its order dated March 4 (2024) for blocks GK-OSHP-2017/1 in the Kutch basin and GS-OSHP-2017/2 in the Saurashtra basin. On December 29 (2023), the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) recommended clearance for exploration and development campaigns for Vedanta to drill up to 40 wells across the two areas.
However, the state authorities then demanded well location details. In its reply, Vedanta stressed the 32 well sites at 2960-sq km GK-OSHP-2017/1 all keep at least 500 metres away from any human habitation, ecological zones or water bodies in line with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) rules.
This block is mostly offshore in the Gulf of Kutch, with a tiny area onshore where Vedanta plans 32 wells. Proposed Well-31 will be 6.97-km west of Shivrajpur, known for its pristine beauty and awarded 'Blue Flag' certification as a clean and sustainable beach.
Similarly, the proposed Well-20 will be 8-km west of the Gomti River and 8.10-km west of Padmini Lake. Protected heritage site NDH School is 7.45-km east of Well-20, and state highway 6A is 7.77-km east.
Wells 34, 43, 47 and 50 are 6.66-km to 15.33-km from the Gulf of Kutch's Marine National Park, an eco-sensitive zone with a 200-metre buffer region. Wells 34, 43, 47 and 50 are 9.92-km to 16.06-km from the marine sanctuary, and wells 20, 28, 31 and 34 are 7.09-km to 8.46-km from two reserve forests.
Vedanta has further clarified that Shivrajpur, Gomti River, Padmini Lake, NDH School and state highway 6A are 17.74-km to 23.31-km southeast of Well-10. Similarly, wells 4, 9, 10, 15, 20 and 27 are 18.37-km to 27.61-km from the Marine National Park, marine sanctuary and reserve forest areas.
Only eight wells are planned in the much smaller 674-sq km GS-OSHP-2017/2 block.