"Complex ecological examination of
Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS) production facilities"
- EnvironNIS -

 
 
 
The project is finished
 
 
Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies GmbH and D’Appolonia S.p.A have finished the project Complex ecological examination of Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS) production facilities (EnvironNIS) and submitted the final reports on January 17, 2011.

The project was initiated based on the Agreement on purchase and sale of NIS shares between Republic of Serbia and Gazprom Neft in accordance to which Gazprom Neft has the obligation related to the reconstruction and upgrade of NIS process facilities and to improvement of the environmental safety of production processes.

The tender as well as Technical assignment, was approved by the competent ministries of the Republic of Serbia (Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning at the time). Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies GmbH and D’Appolonia S.p.A, both having experiences in similar projects in Serbia, as a consortium, have won the tender in a very strong competition (17 companies/consortiums have submitted their bids).

The project team, consisting of 20+ international and local experts for environment, health and safety issues, has started the work in July 2010 and successfully completed the project in four phases, in January 2011 when final reports were submitted. Reports were prepared in two languages (English and Serbian) for each of the 12 facilities which were the subject of ecological assessment. That  makes 24 reports with about 2500 pages. The reports contain description of actual environmental status (soil, groundwater, waste water and air), evaluation of EHS management, as well as assessment of potential environmental risks and proposals for corrective measures.

Read more...
Emission from stacks for the period 2008 to 2009
presented in GIS supported web tool

The results of the study were presented at the press conference on March 17, 2011 in the Serbian Government’s press room, Nemanjina 11 in Belgrade and praised as "one of the best and the most comprehensive studies, ever performed in Serbia". 
 
   
 
 
About the project
 
 
The goals of Complex ecological examination of Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS) production facilities were:
  • to acquire objective assessment of ecological state of selected manufacturing facilities and of the influence of manufacturing activity on the environment

  • to determine existing and potential ecological risks and finally

  • to obtain initial information for the development of the program for stabilization and improvement of environmental conditions.

Selected facilities have included 3 oil and gas production and refinement facilities, 2 fuel retail and 3 storage facilities, 4 service and logistics.

The project work included the following phases:
  1. assessment of the environmental status of air, water (ground water, waste water) and soil (subsoil and soil on the dangerous material storage area) within each facility in comparison with the reference values defined by the relevant Serbian regulation and commonly used international regulation
  2. assessment of potential environmental risks, including financial risks in relation with possible violation of requirements from local regulation
  3. assessment of environmental management system, including health and safety management system, implemented at the facilities and in the company
  4. identification of corrective actions for the improvement of the environmental status, reduction of the ongoing environmental risks and liabilities.
Download EnvironNIS leaflet

The project activities have started with a throughout analysis of existing data from previous studies and investigations of soil, air, groundwater and wastewater status, as well as data from regular monitoring conducted by NIS, data on the current HSE management system, information on waste productions and waste management in general. Review of the input data has included relevant EU regulation and Serbian laws and regulation in the respective fields as well.

The analysis of input data was supported with the intensive audits carried out at 12 locations and covering environment, health and safety issues. These audits have allowed determining general environmental status of the facilities, identifying evidences of contamination and reviewing the adequacy and efficiency of the EHS management systems implemented at different levels in the company.


 

Based on the results of the data analysis and the outcomes of the site audits, the plan for further site investigation (soil and ground water, about 70 borings) was prepared, agreed with NIS in relation to drilling methodology to be used, numbers and types of samples to be collected. Samples were collected and tested in accredited laboratories. The results of these testing together with results of other investigation activities conducted in relation to air pollution, waste water and waste management allowed identifying the status of considered media and potential risks. A number of corrective / mitigation actions, which have been considered by the project team as suitable and efficient for improvement the environmental conditions and the environmental management, were recommended for each facility.

Actions proposed by the project were reviewed and accepted first by the top management of NIS and Gazprom Neft , then by the Serbian competent authorities since they were considered as a base for preparation of action plans for NIS facilities involved.