Oil and Gas Policy and Environmental Law 3(3-0) (PGP 3206) –
Course Level: 2
Course Credit: 3 CU
Description:
This course gives the students an overview of the environment and extent of the Albertine
Graben in the East African Rift System. The students are also introduced to the national and
international oil and gas policies, treaties, conventions and regulations as well as the various
impacts and mitigation measures at different stages of petroleum exploration and production as
well as Environment Impact guidelines of the National Environment Management (NEMA)
Regulations (1998) and the National Oil and Gas Policy (2007).
Course Objectives
At the end of this course the students have knowledge of environmental laws and should be able
to:
1. Apply the environmental national and international laws during the development of
industries.
2. Carry out Environmental Impact Assessment for petroleum exploration and production
projects.
3. Apply national and international policies to protect the environment and yet promote
industrial development.
4. to take decisions regarding implementation of petroleum exploration and production
projects
5. Make recommendations for specific activities related to petroleum exploration and
production.
6. Advocate for environmental protection
Course Outline
Content
Introduction: definition of Environmental Impact Assessment; The
Albertine Graben in the East African Rift System; The environment of
the Albertine Graben; Current petroleum(oil and gas) prospects in the
Albertine Graben.
The Environment Impact guidelines of the National Environment
Management Authority (NEMA) Act; The National Oil and Gas Policy.
Internationally recognized Environmental policies.
Impacts of Preliminary Geological, Geophysical and Geochemical
surveys on the environment and their mitigation measures. Petroleum
products and greenhouse gases, and relation to global warming.
Impacts of Aerial surveys for aeromagnetic and gravimetric surveys:
Air pollution, Sound pollution.
Impacts of Seismic data acquisition on the environment (land/water)
and their mitigation measures: effect of sound from air guns to the fish
Hours
5
10
15
5
5
in water, effect of boats and the cables on fishing, effect of sound from
onland explosives/vibrators to the animals, effect of drilling shallow
wells where explosives are placed.
Impacts of Exploration and Appraisal drilling on the environment and
their mitigation measures: lighting at a drilling camp, waste water and
cuttings handling and disposal, composition of the drilling mud, effect
of chemicals, fumes, oil droplets and potential spillage.
Effects of accommodation to the environment: General imprint of the
camp, Sewerage, dry and wet wastes disposal
Effects of production facilities to the environment: pipelines, refineries
and transport by trucks (possible spillage, explosions and fires) air
pollution etc.
Socio-economic impact: Positive- infrastructure (roads, medical
services etc); Negative- Prostitution (spread of HIV/AIDS).
Case studies
5
5
5
5
Mode of Delivery
This course will be lecture-oriented with assignments and tests.
Assessment
Assignments and tests
Final examination
30%
70%
Reading list:
 WOOD, C., (2002). Environmental Impact Assessment: A comparative Review, Prentice
Hall, 2nd Edition.
 ROELOFS, R., CROWLEY, J.N., HARDESTY, D., (1974). Environment and Society. A
book of reading on environmental policy, attitude and values, Prentice Hall, New Jersey,
USA.
 NEMA, (1998). Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
 HASSIM, R., HAMID, A., KASSIM W.M.S., EL HISHIR. A. EL JAWASHI, S.A.S.,
(2007). Risk assessment and remediation suggestion of impacted soil by produced water
associated with oil production. International Technological University London.
 Kinn, S.J., (1999). Regional Environmental Impact Assessment. Experience from
Norwegian Petroleum Activity.
 PATIN S. (1999). Reviews of Environmental Impact of the Offshore Oil and Gas
Industry. Ecomonitor Publishing, East Northport, New York. 425pp.
 ALDER, J. AND WILKISON, D. MACMILLAN. (1999): Environmental Ethics and
Law
 REPUBLIC OF UGANDA (2008): National oil and Gas Policy
 (NEMA) (2006): Environmental Legislation of Uganda
 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA: (2006); Occupational Health and Safety Act
 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA: (2000): The Petroleum Exploration and Production Act
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ENVIRONMENT AUSTRALIA (1996): Best Practice Environmental Management in
Mining: Onshore Minerals and Petroleum Exploration
WORLD BANK GROUP (1998): Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook
IFC GUIDELINES (1998): General Health and Safety Guidelines – Petroleum Sector
IFC GUIDELINES (1998): Hazardous Materials Management Guidelines
ALCAMO (2008): Environmental Futures, The Practice of Environmental Scenario
Analysis. Elsevier
VOIGT & FESENKO (2008): Remediation of Contaminated Environments. Elsevier