Integration of Biodiversity Conservation within TOTAL Exploration and Production Activities in Indonesia
Figure 1: Integrated Geographical Information System Maps Demonstrating a Major Biodiversity Loss Due to Shrimp Farming Over Time
Legend Tambak
Prior
Preparation for Tambak Deltaic culture Cultivated plain Yard
2001
are implemented if necessary. In areas that require specific attention, a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is recommended for the implementation of a set of measures to protect biodiversity. This article aims to highlight the different steps involved in respecting the environment of Indonesia, i.e. acquiring knowledge about the biodiversity, protecting the biodiversity and promoting and supporting biodiversity research.
Degraded forest Degraded marsh Degraded Avicennia Degraded Rhizophora Fresh-water mangrove Mixed fresh-water forest Nypa and Rhizophora Nypa and Avicennia Pure Nypa Sonneratia Hilly area Open water Not classified
Prior: 1986; part of the south of the Mahakam was not covered by the Spot satellite in 2001.
Figure 2: Variation of Vegetation Cover and Types Between 1986 and 2001
200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0
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Oil and Gas Activities in a Sensitive Environment – The Mahakam Delta Ecosystem Case
TOTAL Exploration and Production Indonesia (TEPI), a subsidiary of TOTAL Exploration and Production, operates in the Mahakam contract area in Kalimantan (Borneo island) as a contractor of BPMIGAS (Indonesian Executive Agency for Upstream Oil and Gas Business). Several of the oil and gas fields operated by TEPI are located in the Mahakam delta, i.e. Handil, Tambora and Tunu. Other fields are also operated offshore, i.e. Bekapai, Peciko and Sissi-Nubi. Several other prospect areas are under study elsewhere in Indonesia.
105 77 83 47 24 2 11 2 7 0 7 14 13 13 4238 108
A Swamp Covering 1500km2 of Wetlands The Mahakam delta is located at the mouth of the Mahakam river on the east coast of Kalimantan, Indonesia, along the Makassar Strait. The delta plain stretches over an area of 1500 km2, including the distributary and interdistributary channels. Around 1300 km2 of the delta plain is land. It was originally covered by dense mangrove, including Avicennia sp., Sonneratia sp., Rhizophora sp., Nypa nypa and fresh water mangroves.3–5
In 1986, Nypa nypa dominated the
mangrove vegetation of the delta (see Figures 1 and 2) and was the largest area of Nypa in the world. Salinity conditions range from fresh water in the upstream area, brackish in the intertidal zone and saline in the outer part of the delta. Mangroves are unique ecosystems. They provide many benefits to the environment:3
such as stabilising
and protecting shorelines and river banks; filtering and trapping water-borne pollutants released from the large cities, such as Samarinda, and industrial activities upstream; providing a nesting area, nursery and feeding ground for a wide spectrum of animals,
Surface 1986 (km2 ) Surface 2001 (km2 )
(1) acquiring knowledge about the biodiversity, (2) protecting biodiversity and (3) contributing to scientific research.2
The first step
of any project consists of the Environmental Baseline Study (EBS) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The EBS determines a reference status for many environmental parameters and particularly those concerning biodiversity. The EBS includes a biological survey enabling a thorough inventory of the species present at the site to be obtained. During this study, independent expertise is sought from scientists (ecologists, zoologists and botanists) to assess the ecological sensitivity of the site likely to be impacted by the industrial activity. A preliminary evaluation of the potential impacts is also assessed. Following the EBS, the EIA determines the potential impacts of the project on the natural and human environment and defines the mitigation measures and solutions required to eliminate or, if not possible, to reduce the impacts. Specific attention is paid to evaluate the residual impact on biodiversity and specific protection measures
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TOTAL Exploration and Production learned early on how to operate with respect and with specific care for areas that are sensitive from a biodiversity standpoint.
such as numerous species of fish, molluscs, reptiles, birds and mammals;6
providing a habitat for many animals and, to a lesser degree, providing resources for tourism and recreation.
From a Unique Ecosystem to a Swamp Progressively Devoted to Human Activities Over the past decade, the mangrove has been cleared to use the land as shrimp ponds for aquaculture. The rapid destruction of mangrove vegetation peaked in 1997 when the East Asian economic crisis hit Indonesia. As a result, to date, more than 73 % of the mangrove has been converted into shrimp ponds.7
Despite EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION – VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2
Cultures (coconut) Nypa and Rhizophora
Nypa and dispersed Avicennia Sonneratia
Dense Rhizophora Dense Avicennia Pure Nypa
Low salinity Mangrove Ferns and Herbaceous Mixed fresh water forest
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