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Environment and Security

42

Of all the economic activities in the eastern

Caspian region, oil and gas exploration and

extraction are probably causing the greatest

concern among the local population and au-

thorities regarding the current and future en-

vironmental situation and potential risks. The

problems related to poor environmental prac-

tice in the past, as well as several mass fish

and seal die-offs in recent years, have been

on the agenda of governments, experts, mass

media and public organisations addressing

the energy sector’s present and future.

Lack of knowledge about the actual state of

marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to

pollution, coupled with inadequate environ-

mental monitoring, also fuel concern and

uncertainty for the future.

During the Soviet period, oil and gas develop-

ment in the region was often conducted using

environmentally unsound practices and out-

dated technologies. Many cases of pollution

of sea water, air and soil in the Caspian region

have been reported. An area covering asmuch

as half a million hectares is now affected by

desertification, soil compaction and pollution

due to oil extraction and transportation activi-

ties (CEP 2006 b). Severe land degradation,

caused by lakes of oil waste and spills, affect

up to 5 000 hectares in Atyrau and Mangys-

tau provinces (CEP 2006 b; NESSD 2006;

Akhmetov 2006; Ministry of Environment Pro-

tection of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2007).

Information about land pollution in Turkmeni-

stan is limited, but according to data collected

during field missions, severe land degradation

may affect as much as 1 000 ha.

After independence the region saw a drop

in pollution levels, partly due to declining

economic activity and partly due to the in-

troduction of better environmental practice

and cleaner technology. However increas-

ing oil prospecting and production, on land

and sea, the expanding pipeline networks

Industrial activity, pollution, extraction of valuable raw materials and natural

resources (oil, gas, uranium, but also commercial fish stocks such as

sturgeon) can cause environmental degradation and in their most severe

forms loss of livelihood (as with the collapse of fisheries or the flooding of

cropland). The exploitation of essential natural mineral resources, available

in large quantities, attracts considerable economic and political interest.

But in such situations environmental protection may often be a low priority.

Furthermore extreme natural events and global changes exacerbate

anthropogenic activity. Subsequently climate change, natural hazards,

migration of alien species and epidemics stress the ecosystem, with the

risk of damaging ecological security and the living environment.

Environmental consequences of oil

and gas development

Environmental degradation and security