Tengizchevroil (Kazakhstan)

Environment, Labour, and Community Lead Advisor for Tengizchevroil, a major natural capital project in Kazakhstan.

• Estimated capital value: $40 Billion

• Estimated construction personnel: up to 40,000

It’s hard to imagine a project of this scale: Tengiz is an oil field located in northwestern Kazakhstan, near the shores of the Caspian Sea. It spans over 2,500 km2 (970 sq mi), over a reservoir that is 19 km (12 mi) wide and 21 km (13 mi) long.

Advising for such a major oil and gas development project in this region means providing technical direction and advice on environmental issues which impact construction and commissioning activities. The goal is to promote operational excellence (OE) programs within the contractor workforce and ensure compliance with IFC Performance Standards.  

As Environment, Labour and Community Lead Advisor, Brian’s major functions have included: serving as a subject matter expert for the project biodiversity working group (terrestrial and marine environments), managing biodiversity offset and restoration, improving water conservation measures across all construction and accommodation sites, hydrotesting, solid and liquid waste management, protecting cultural heritage sites, soil reclamation and disposal, contaminated soil and water management. Further work involved assessment of systems completion and startup activities, and support for additional ESHIA updates following design changes.