RSK Middle East had the privilege of leading a two-day training session on environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) for one of its long-term clients at the Majnoon field operations in Iraq. This pivotal initiative was designed to strengthen the client’s understanding of how to seamlessly integrate environmental and social considerations into its operations, ensuring alignment with both local and international regulations. Led by Neethu Jacob, Associate Director at RSK Middle East, the training engaged senior management and key stakeholders in an in-depth exploration of ESIA processes.
In this insightful conversation, Neethu reflects on her experience leading the session, shares valuable insights into the content and discussions and highlights the profound impact it will have on the client’s future operations.
Neethu, can you start by giving us an overview of the training session and your role in leading it?
The training was meticulously developed in response to the client’s specific needs, focusing on enhancing its understanding of the ESIA process, particularly in the context of operations at the Majnoon oil field. I led the session, which aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of ESIA, including the legal requirements, key processes and the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved. My role was to guide the group through complex environmental and social issues while ensuring they could apply what they learned directly to their work.
How did this session fit into the client’s broader objectives?
The client is dedicated to improving its environmental and social performance, and the ESIA training was a key part of this effort. By aligning with Iraq’s national regulations and international best practices, the client can ensure that its operations are not only legally compliant but also socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. This training aimed to equip its teams with the necessary tools and knowledge to make better decisions regarding environmental management, risk mitigation and compliance, directly supporting its long-term goals of sustainable oil field operations.
Who attended the training, and how did you engage with them during the session?
The session was attended by senior management and key personnel from various departments, including health, safety and environment (HSE), environment, wells drilling, process engineering and social compliance. We also had participants from external partners and given the seniority of the attendees, the discussions were both technical and strategic, offering an opportunity for everyone to contribute their insights and experiences.
I ensured the training was highly interactive, encouraging participants to ask questions and engage in real-world case studies. This helped to foster a collaborative environment where participants could discuss the practical implications of the training in relation to their daily operations.
What were the key topics covered during the training and why were they important?
The training was structured around a straightforward framework that answered the ‘what, why, when, how and who’ of ESIA.
We began by explaining the basics of ESIA, followed by an exploration of local and international legal requirements. Understanding these requirements is essential for the client, especially when working in a region like Iraq, where regulations are continuously evolving. A major component of the session focused on the significance of baseline surveys, which form the foundation of any ESIA. These surveys assess the environmental and social conditions before an operation begins, providing critical data for future monitoring and risk management.
We also covered the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in the ESIA process and how collaboration is key to ensuring the assessment is thorough. Participants learned how to create and implement effective environmental and social management plans, which are essential for ongoing monitoring and compliance.
What was the most enjoyable part of this experience for you?
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this training was the engagement and the technical questions raised by the participants. Their curiosity and involvement were fantastic – many of the questions challenged the material in meaningful ways, which made for some enriching discussions. It was great to see how interested everyone was in applying the knowledge to their operations, and it helped me feel that the session had real value beyond just theoretical knowledge.
What kind of feedback did you receive from senior management after the session?
The feedback from senior management was overwhelmingly positive. The client’s HSE senior adviser expressed their appreciation for the way the training was structured and the clarity with which I communicated complex topics. Several participants reached out after the session, saying that it was “time well spent” and that they felt much more confident in their ability to implement ESIA in their roles. The engagement levels were high throughout, and the value of the session was clearly evident in the discussions and follow-up conversations.
How do you see this training impacting the client’s environmental practices in the future?
This training is an important step in helping it build a strong foundation for sustainable operations. By equipping senior management with a deeper understanding of the ESIA process, the client is now better positioned to make decisions that comply with local regulations and also reduce environmental impacts and improve social outcomes. The long-term impact will be seen in how the client integrates ESIA into its daily operations, making it a central part of the decision-making process.
What’s next for RSK Middle East and the client in terms of future collaboration?
The success of this training has led the client to request additional sessions, including for a broader audience that encompasses vice-president-level executives. There is also interest in other specialised training, such as air quality improvement strategies, which will help further strengthen its environmental performance. We are excited to continue collaborating with such clients on these initiatives and look forward to supporting them as they continue to evolve their environmental and social practices.
At RSK Middle East, we are committed to helping companies implement sustainable practices and meet the increasing demand for responsible resource management. This training was just one example of how we support organisations in improving their environmental and social impact assessments. We look forward to continuing to work with our clients to drive positive change in the oil and gas industry.