NOM-016-ASEA-2023 Project for seismic surveys carried out in agricultural, livestock and wasteland areas

On April 21, 2023, the Agency for Safety, Energy and Environment (“ASEA”) published, in the Official Gazette of the Federation (“DOF”), the Draft Mexican Official Standard PROY-NOM-016-ASEA-2023, Industrial Safety, Operational Safety and Environmental Protection Specifications that must be observed for Seismic Prospecting carried out in agricultural, livestock and wasteland areas (“the Draft”).

Seismic prospecting is a technique used in the exploration of natural resources such as oil, natural gas and minerals, and is an important tool for the exploration and extraction of natural resources. It must be carried out responsibly and in compliance with established regulations and standards to protect the environment and the safety of people, as well as the nearby communities that carry out these operations.

The Project cancels and replaces NOM-116-SEMARNAT-2005, which establishes the environmental protection specifications for terrestrial seismological surveys carried out in agricultural, livestock and wasteland areas.

The Project aims to establish specifications for the installation of camps, seismic sources, safety distances, safety procedures, drilling and loading of shot wells, among others, in the field of environmental protection and operational and industrial safety.

The Project is currently under public consultation, which will end on June 21, 2023, and will come into force 180 calendar days after its publication in the DOF.

Project Overview

The Project establishes the mandatory specifications for seismic prospecting activities in agricultural, livestock and wasteland areas in the hydrocarbon sector throughout the national territory. The above, starting with the planning and selection of the site where the factors of the conditions of the access roads and/or pre-existing gaps, the infrastructure associated with the hydrocarbon sector, surface and underground water bodies and the presence of flora and fauna in the study area must be considered for their registration.

It is important to identify, assess and mitigate the geological, chemical and health risks associated with land seismic prospecting, as well as to protect flora, fauna and aquatic ecosystems. The seismic source must be implemented safely, without affecting the environment and with proper disposal of the waste generated, prohibiting the use of agrochemicals or burning of vegetation for clearing.

Pre-Operational Specifications

To ensure the correct operation of vehicles and equipment for land seismic prospecting, a log must be kept to certify their correct operation and maintenance, using the documents provided by the manufacturer to avoid damage to the environment. The use of appropriate lifting techniques is also required for the installation, removal of camps and removal of equipment.

Specifications for Operation

For the operation, it is necessary to establish a methodology to carry out field tests and determine the maximum vibration levels and safety distances from the location of the Seismic Source, which respect the maximum vibration levels and avoid any damage to the environment. Safety distances and compliance with regulations and standards minimize the impact of the extractive activity on nearby fauna, flora and ecosystems, and prevent contamination of air, water and soil that cause possible environmental and social impacts.

A report must be prepared at the conclusion of the tests, including the start and end date, test parameters such as geographic coordinates, surface vibration monitoring, maximum particle velocity value and maximum frequency values. In addition, an updated log must be kept with specifications for the use of explosives or vibroseisms and a report must be prepared at the end of the tests. 

Specifications for the Termination of Operations

After completing the land seismic survey, the site must be cleaned and free of any material, equipment or waste generated by associated activities, including the installation of camps and the construction of shafts. In addition, all shafts used during the survey must be sealed or covered.

Conformity Assessment Procedure

The purpose of the Conformity Assessment process is to verify whether the regulated entities comply with the Project in question, so they must obtain an opinion for each terrestrial Seismic Prospecting and retain all the information to present it to the Inspection Unit, if required.

Finally, it is important to mention that projects that are in progress from the pre-operational phase will not be subject to this Project and will be subject to the regulations established at the time of the start of the respective project.

Link to publication: https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5686354&fecha=21/04/2023#gsc.tab=0