EAC clears Cairn’s plan to raise output

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the union environment ministry gave conditional clearance to the plan of Cairn India to raise crude oil output capacity from its Mangala Processing Terminal in Rajasthan.

The approval would enable Cairn India to raise oil production from 175,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 200,000 bpd and associated gas from 35 to 40 million standard cubic feet per day.

The panel cleared the proposal after it found the final EIA/EMP report to be adequate.

In its report, the EAC suggested to stipulate following specific conditions along with other environmental conditions while considering for accord of environmental clearance.

The final report would be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for obtaining clearance, the EAC said.

One of the condition is that the company must devote at least 5 per cent of the total cost of the project towards the Enterprise Social Commitment based on locals need. The report said the implementation of such programme should be ensured accordingly in a time bound manner.

RJ-ON-90/1 block which was awarded to CEIL-ONGC joint venture for exploration and production of hydrocarbons by the Government spreads over an area of about 3,112 km.