SAPREF CONTINUES ITS STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
At the annual performance review of their Scheduled Trade Permit with the eThekwini Health Department SAPREF reported that during 2010 they consistently operated well within the requirements set by the city. The city’s multipoint plan has assisted SAPREF to focus its emissions management in areas which contribute positively to ambient air quality.
In July 2010 SAPREF’s annual permit limit for sulphur dioxide was reduced by 10% which SAPREF achieved for the year. Limits were set for nitrogen oxide and particulate matter and SAPREF met both these limits.
A key achievement in 2010 was the reduction of flaring volume by 47% over the previous year. SAPREF’s flaring volume, based on the percentage of crude oil used is about 50% lower than the general world average for similar complex refineries.
During 2010, SAPREF’s ambient air quality was marred by 18 exceedances of the WHO (World Health Organisation) 10 minute ambient standard for sulphur dioxide. Two of these exceedances occurred during normal operations and 16 occurred as a result of an external power outage in October which caused the refinery to automatically safely shut down.
“While this was disappointing for us, the overall performance was within SAPREF’s permit and we continued to consistently operate well within the requirements set by the City, said SAPREF’s managing director, Robin Mooldijk.
Over the last 10 years SAPREF has invested in excess of R1.1 billion in actively and consistently improving their environmental performance. Sulphur dioxide emissions have been reduced by over 70% largely through investment in best available technology and a switch to more expensive lower sulphur crude oil. An 86% reduction in emissions of particulate matter was also achieved through the use of cleaner burning fuels in furnaces, capital investment and operational improvements.
SAPREF continues to interact with the community in a variety of ways. A toll-free line is available 24/7 for complaints. A dedicated standby team responds to these. Flyers are distributed to closest residents when there are major planned maintenance activities that could result in disturbance to neighbours. The SAPREF Community Liaison Forum, comprising representatives of over 25 community based organisations, meets monthly with senior SAPREF managers to discuss SAPREF’s operational, environmental and social performance. The members play an important role in keeping SAPREF informed of social and environmental concerns in their communities.
Mooldijk acknowledged the important role that the eThekwini municipality plays in setting parameters for environmental performance. Mooldijk said: “SAPREF will continue to focus on operational excellence to consolidate the consistent performance demonstrated during 2010.