Royal Decree 114/2001 - The Law on the Conservation of the Environment and Pollution Prevention

This decree is the principal legal framework for environmental protection in the Sultanate of Oman. According to it, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) oversees and regulates the environmental aspects of oil and gas developments in Oman. This decree also specifies the responsibilities of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources.

 

This regulation stipulates rules and principles for environmental control and pollution prevention, including penalties for violations. Article 9 states that no process or activity that could directly or indirectly cause environmental pollution is to be carried out without an environmental permit granted by the MECA, confirming its environmental viability.

 

The MECA may request an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to support the application for an environmental permit. Usually, an EIA will be carried out at every stage of an oil and gas development project. The EIA involves two preliminary work stages: a scoping report with comprehensive project description and an initial assessment of potential environmental impacts; and a baseline survey. The final EIA must then be submitted to the MECA for review and approval before an environmental permit is granted. 

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