International Case Studies

Palma, Mozambique 2D Program (2012)

Our client is conducting oil and gas exploration activities in the Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, under the terms of Exploration and Production Concession Contracts with the Mozambique government. Commencing in mid-March, 2012, the client began conducting a land 2D Seismic Acquisition Survey (“Seismic Survey”).

In advance of and for the duration of the Seismic Survey, the client requires all seismic lines and areas in which work will be performed in the Operations Area to be hand-cut, cleared of vegetation, and certified as free and clear of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and RPS were in place to QA/QC the contractors undertaking clearance and provide specialist advice to the client regarding the operations. 

Kurdistan Blocks (2012- 2013)

RPS Explosive Engineering Services (EES) were awarded a contract by a large Oil & Gas Organisation in 2010 for the provision of an Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) specialist consultancy team to support the Majnoon Oilfield Development (MFD) in Southern Iraq. RPS Energy were commissioned by a large oil giant to support and advise on risks that may be present within their contract areas in a number of Blocks within Kurdistan, Iraq ahead of the planned operations and assist in the design management of any related UXO mitigation activities deemed necessary.

RPS were initially commissioned to undertake a Desk Based Study for the blocks to determine the initial risk from ERW / UXO & Landmines across each. As part of this RPS advised a suitable and pragmatic approach to the identified mitigation requirements. RPS also prepared Risk Factor and Risk Zone Mapping, as well as digital GIS ready information, to assist with approaching the risk throughout the project life cycle.

RPS is still involved with ERW Risk Management and QA/QC on the project, with an on-going aim to provide a safe working environment to all staff and contractors working within the concession areas, by assurance that all work and travel areas have been cleared of all Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW).

Large Oil Field, Iraq  (2012)

The concession area was a major battlefield during the Iran / Iraq war in the 1980s. Artillery, tank and infantry fighting ensue supported by aerial bombardments. Both sides laid extensive protective and nuisance minefields in their areas of operations. This resulted in extensive ERW contamination when hostilities ended, including extensive unmarked / unfenced anti-personnel and anti-tank minefields. Over the passage of time, the boundaries of these minefields have become very difficult to define.

It was recognised when commencing the project, that using traditional systematic clearance techniques would be extremely time and resource demanding due to the detection equipment's sensitivity to the vast amounts of scattered shrapnel, this would then cause a severe unforeseen delays to the overall project schedule.

The in-country RPS ERW consultancy team, were instrumental in the development and implementation to the changes of approach, manufacturing a fit-for-purpose ERW procedure, utilising a toolbox of Armoured Mechanical and Manual assets. Commitment and dedication established a first class clearance operation which kept the development project remaining on its construction schedule. In addition, the RPS consultant team continue to provide training, assessment, project management and supervision in ERW matters within the concession.