Protection of Rainforest Microhabitats During 3-D Seismic Exploration

Mark Thurber¹, Sebastian Valdivieso², Gabriel Noboa², David Westlund³, and Fernando Benalcazar^4
1Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, Quito, Ecuador
²PetroOriental, Quito, Ecuador
³Grand Tierra Energy, Calgary, AB, Canada
⁴Tanganyika Oil, Calgary, AB, Canada

Areas of petroleum exploration in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin have a high fauna diversity. Rainforest species are attracted to and depend on dispersed microhabitats such as clay licks, nesting areas, animal dens, watering holes, fruiting trees and termite nests for feeding, watering and reproduction. Environmental control of geophysical acquisition activities in and near these sensitive microhabitats historically has not been effective. Seismic lines, heliports, camps and drop zones have been inadvertently constructed within or near these microhabitats resulting in partial destruction of the habitat, disturbance and consequent flight of fauna, and post-project hunting by locals. PetroOriental, Walsh and biologists from Ecuadorian universities developed and executed a plan for offsets to protect these biologically sensitive areas (BSAs) in Yasuni National Park. Criteria were developed by biologists to define these BSAs in the field based on size of BSA, number and abundance of fauna species using the BSA, and functional importance to each species. No human entry buffers were established for each BSA. Procedures were established for early identification of BSAs so that biologists working with the survey crews could direct line cutting and other clearing activities around the buffer areas. Ecuadorian biologists were effectively incorporated into decision-making process in the field. The seismic biological team identified and protected 49 BSAs (primarily clay licks and bathing areas) during a seismic campaign in 165 km² of mature rainforest in 2006. Technical staff and contractors from the petroleum company along with biologists from universities and foundations were brought together in making important real time design decisionsin the field. This participatory biodiversity management system is a model for protection of BSAs in other high sensitivity rainforest.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas