SLB, formerly known as Schlumberger, has been granted another exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its source storage and calibration facility located at Houston, East Bank Demerara.
In a notice published in the Guyana Chronicle’s Pepperpot Magazine, the agency stated, “The Agency has evaluated the project as per section 11 (2) of the Environmental Protection Act, taking into account the Project’s Site Verification Report, Environmental Assessment and Management Plan, 2022, Project Summary, the International Atomic Energy Agency Safety Standards, and Security Guidelines, the Application submitted, and further relevant environmental information. Based on this assessment, the EPA has concluded that the environment will not be significantly impacted by the project.”
SLB, one of ExxonMobil’s major contractors in Guyana had sought environmental approval in early 2021. The EPA had determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment or human health and exempted the company from the requirement for an EIA. However, last December, that exemption was quashed by the Supreme Court. The ruling which was handed down by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan was made due to procedural issues and concerned residents filing a lawsuit claiming that their health and community were at risk. This forced SLB to make a new application to the EPA.
In its notice, the EPA said that the facility will calibrate and store sealed radioactive sources, enclosed in tightly sealed capsules, and surrounded by layers of non-radioactive material. Further, it was revealed that the company’s inventory of radioactive sources came under Categories 3-5 as per the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Categorisation of Radio-active Sources (No.RS-G-1.9). “It is important to note that the IAEA has specified that these sources may only pose a potential risk to individuals close to them when they are unshielded, with typical durations ranging from days to weeks.”
According to the EPA, SLB’s operation has demonstrated adequate safety and security measures to effectively limit public exposure to radiation in keeping with IAEA safety standards. The agency was also keen to note that its decision can be challenged within 30 days of the published notice.
