Bata Oil Refinery — Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
Environmental & Social Impact Assessment for the Bata Oil Refinery Expansion, Equatorial Guinea
GEPetrol — Equatorial Guinea
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Year
2024
Client
GEPetrol / Government of Equatorial Guinea
Standard
IFC Performance Standards
Location
Bata, Equatorial Guinea
Year
2024
Objectives & Context
GEPetrol, the national oil company of Equatorial Guinea, planned a significant expansion of the Bata Oil Refinery to increase domestic refining capacity and reduce the country's dependence on imported petroleum products. The expansion involved new processing units, expanded storage facilities, and upgraded port infrastructure — all in close proximity to urban areas and sensitive coastal ecosystems. Meeting both national environmental legislation and IFC Performance Standards — required by international lenders — demanded a comprehensive and rigorous ESIA process that could withstand scrutiny from multiple stakeholders including government regulators, international financiers, and local communities.
Our Approach & Solution
TSC Global conducted a full ESIA covering air quality modelling, noise and vibration assessment, marine and terrestrial ecology surveys, social baseline studies, health impact assessment, and cumulative impact analysis. The team designed and executed a stakeholder engagement programme across affected communities in and around Bata, ensuring culturally appropriate consultation and grievance mechanisms. TSC Global produced an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for affected households, aligned with both Equatoguinean law and IFC PS 5 requirements.
Results & Impact
The ESIA received regulatory approval from the Ministry of Fisheries and Environment and was accepted by the project's international lenders as meeting IFC Performance Standard requirements. The ESMP provided a practical, actionable framework for the contractor and operator, and the stakeholder engagement process was cited by the client as a model for future petroleum sector projects in the country.
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