II. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND RISKS EVALUATION OF OFFSHORE DRILLING
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From the hydrological point of view, in the northeast part, the wilaya of Skikda includes an
important hydrological network, consisting of several wadis with different watersheds such as
the El Kébir wadi (1130.2 km²); Oued Saf-Saf (1050km2); Oued El Guebli (993 km2); in
addition to others like Wadi Fendekh, Wadi Maboul, Wadi Magroune, Wadi Aneb, Wadi Dem
El Bagraat, Wadi Bou Djenane and Wadi Ennkouche. (Boumezbeur, 2001).
II.1.2.2
Hydrodynamic context and batymetry
The coast of Skikda is subject to dominant swells coming from the Northwest sector of a
frequency of 37.60%, also characterized by small amplitude of the tide between 25 cm and
30cm. The coast of Skikda is considered as one of the Algerian coasts where the swell plays a
major role on the marphodynamic of the shore, it undergoes strong storms that manifest during
the winter season from December to March, are also characterized by high winds that generate
huge waves where the rise of the sea level can reach 7 to 11 m, which causes very important
human and material damage, especially on the equipment the port infrastructures. (Cemali, 2019)
The Skikda region has a very diverse continental shelf. It is tormented and sometimes absent to
the west towards the Ras Bougaroun area, but is increasingly spacious and extends eastward
towards the marina area. Several studies have been carried out in the Skikda region, showing that
the appearance and the steep and rugged nature of the seabed along the coastal line, covering
more than 0.5 km from the edge line, with increasing depths of 10 to 12 m, Towards the North
we find rather sandy muddy bottoms and the great depths of 100 to 200 m appear only towards
the 4 to 7 nautical miles north of the coast (Mezedjri, 2008).
II.1.2.3 Marines fauna and flora
The coastline of Skikda presents the longest linear coastline of the coastal wilayas (130 km) with
significant natural potential and high economic value (fishing, tourism and oil industry).
However, the coastal ecosystems of this region are under urban pressure and biodiversity is
affected (MEER 2018) .
a. Marine fauna
Skikda hides a great richness in the marine fauna that it is represented on the fifty species
caught in the territorial waters of the wilaya, with a number of specific species not caught
and therefore not recorded, according to the marine zonation (PAM, 2018).
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38
From the hydrological point of view, in the northeast part, the wilaya of Skikda includes an
important hydrological network, consisting of several wadis with different watersheds such as
the El Kébir wadi (1130.2 km²); Oued Saf-Saf (1050km2); Oued El Guebli (993 km2); in
addition to others like Wadi Fendekh, Wadi Maboul, Wadi Magroune, Wadi Aneb, Wadi Dem
El Bagraat, Wadi Bou Djenane and Wadi Ennkouche. (Boumezbeur, 2001).
II.1.2.2
Hydrodynamic context and batymetry
The coast of Skikda is subject to dominant swells coming from the Northwest sector of a
frequency of 37.60%, also characterized by small amplitude of the tide between 25 cm and
30cm. The coast of Skikda is considered as one of the Algerian coasts where the swell plays a
major role on the marphodynamic of the shore, it undergoes strong storms that manifest during
the winter season from December to March, are also characterized by high winds that generate
huge waves where the rise of the sea level can reach 7 to 11 m, which causes very important
human and material damage, especially on the equipment the port infrastructures. (Cemali, 2019)
The Skikda region has a very diverse continental shelf. It is tormented and sometimes absent to
the west towards the Ras Bougaroun area, but is increasingly spacious and extends eastward
towards the marina area. Several studies have been carried out in the Skikda region, showing that
the appearance and the steep and rugged nature of the seabed along the coastal line, covering
more than 0.5 km from the edge line, with increasing depths of 10 to 12 m, Towards the North
we find rather sandy muddy bottoms and the great depths of 100 to 200 m appear only towards
the 4 to 7 nautical miles north of the coast (Mezedjri, 2008).
II.1.2.3 Marines fauna and flora
The coastline of Skikda presents the longest linear coastline of the coastal wilayas (130 km) with
significant natural potential and high economic value (fishing, tourism and oil industry).
However, the coastal ecosystems of this region are under urban pressure and biodiversity is
affected (MEER 2018) .
a. Marine fauna
Skikda hides a great richness in the marine fauna that it is represented on the fifty species
caught in the territorial waters of the wilaya, with a number of specific species not caught
and therefore not recorded, according to the marine zonation (PAM, 2018).