At the end of April, 2018, PJSC Ukrnafta received the first environmental impact statements (EIS) for the company’s operation in the field of mineral resources extraction in Pasichnyanske, Dovbushansko-Bystrytske and Lukvynske fields.

Being aware of importance of environmental safety as well as of natural resources efficient use and restoration, and as a leader of oil production of Ukraine Ukrnafta was the first company in the industry that applied for the related local authorities for launching the procedure of EIS receiving early in the year already. Following the public hearings and thorough consideration of the materials, provided by the company, the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast State Administration provided Ukrnafta with the documents, proving the environmental safety and efficiency of company’s operations in the field of hydrocarbons production.

In order to receive EIS Ukrnafta collected necessary materials about technical characteristics of the fields, useful efficiency, volume of hydrocarbons production etc. and presented this information for public discussion. As of the end of April, Ukrnafta has had 11 public discussions of EIA (environmental impact assessments) in total. During the discussions the communities of Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts put a lot of questions, voiced their remarks and support of the company’s activities. All communities approved Ukrnafta’s EIA that were presented in public. The public discussions keep going in these oblasts.

The first public discussions of the EIA for Ukrnafta’s operations are expected to take place in Poltava oblast but the controversial position of local authorities put these plans at threat. At the same time Poltava oblast’s communities get significant payments from Ukrnafta’s rent. Only in Q1 of 2018 local budgets of different levels received UAH 13.6 mln. According to the conservative plan, if the company keeps working at the current pace, the budgets of Poltava oblast will get in total UAH 50.8 mln for 2018.

Since December 18, 2017, EIS has been defined as the must for the extractive industry by the Law of Ukraine “About Environmental Impact Assessment”.