| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the study was to assess the environmental sustainability of petroleum exploration operations in the Albertine region in Uganda. Using the objectives - to examine the state of environmental sustainability practices of the petroleum exploration operations in the Albertine region in Uganda - to investigate the challenges and dangers to environmental sustainability of petroleum exploration operations of Total E&P Uganda. These objectives were reinforced by the triple bottom line that reconciles social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Environmental pillar emphasizes environmental sound life-support systems are in place, the ways through which resources will not be used up faster than they are being replenished, and the transition toward low carbon emissions.
The study followed sequential explanatory research design where quantitative research data was collected and analyzed and predicted control variables of the objectives of the study, qualitative research explained and validated the quantitative findings. The study used Total E&P Uganda B.V because it is licensed by Uganda Government to carry out oil and gas exploration operations in Albertine region. The study used study population of 180 personnel who included Total E&P Uganda workers, Local Community Environment officer from the three exploration Areas 1, 1A and Area 2, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Officers, Safety, Quality Control, and Environmental Officers Contractors, Petroleum Authority Uganda Officers, and National Environment Management Authority Officers. From which a sample of 123 taxpayers were selected using simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Quantitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaires where respondents were asked to give their opinions basing on Likert scale. Qualitative data was collected using interview guide. Collected data was tested using CVI where all the three coefficient values for variables were above benchmark of 0.7. Data was tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability Coefficient whose overall value 0.86 exceeds 0.70 hence items in the instrument were reliable for data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentage proportions and mean values were computed. The standard deviation indicated how responses were spread away from the mean value.
The study found out that there are environmental practices aimed at conserving water resources, oils spills are immediately clean and periodic water tests are done, though Total E&P Uganda conducts environment assessment on disposal of wastewater, the study did not ascertain whether they are communicated to local community, re-afforestation to conserve the environment is not convincingly, energy is conserved, solar energy is used and there are change of behaviors that wastes energy, wastes are segregated to enhance proper disposal and undertake routine checks for all human related errors in their operations. Among challenges, though technology used by Total E&P Uganda does not endanger environment, Company does not train its staffs on environmental sustainability. And dangers that oil spills and pollution not only degrade natural environment resources but also negatively affect people’s livelihoods.
The study recommends that Total E&P Uganda intensifies training of its employees on the best practices of conserving water, maintain practices aimed at reducing oil residues into water resources, continue minimizing clearing vegetation cover to conserve Albertine region forest reserves, continue using solar energy to reduce over reliance on energy from oil and gas, maintain change of behaviors that wastes energy along with training their staffs on environmental sustainability. | en_US |
