In honouring their commitment to be a good neighbour, SAPREF has invested more than R975 million in actively and consistently improving their environmental performance.
With an investment of R2.7 million, SAPREF was the largest industry contributor towards the overall cost of the Multi-Point Plan network of monitoring stations installed by the eThekwini Municipality to measure air quality in the community. Since the implementation of the Multi-Point Plan in 2003, the data has shown that SAPREF consistently meets the City’s ambient air quality requirements for sulphur dioxide.
Since the mid-1990s SAPREF has reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by over 70%. This was achieved largely through a R300 million investment in the best available technology for sulphur dioxide abatement and a switch to more expensive low sulphur crude oil.
Positive progress has been made in further reducing VOC emissions through the installation of double seals on floating roof tanks at a cost of R3 million. An ongoing programme of identifying sources of fugitive emissions within the refinery, in line with international practice, has confirmed that SAPREF is below the level stipulated in the Scheduled Trade Permit.
SAPREF managing director, Bart Voet said that a key component of good environmental performance is to avoid leaks and incidents. “In addition to the regulated environmental focus areas, SAPREF has a programme to systematically improve and maintain the refinery to world class standards,” he said. Initiatives include:
- the replacement of SAPREF’s seven product transfer pipelines from the refinery to Island View at an investment of R340 million. This followed a review of the condition of the lines in which it was recommended that SAPREF rewrap two lines. SAPREF opted to replace all the lines.
- a rigorous, ongoing programme to proactively manage piping integrity in the corrosive coastal environment. To date about R230 million has been spent on this.
- the installation of double seals, to replace single seals, on over 100 pumps to reduce the potential for spills at a cost of about R100 million.
SAPREF has recently completed a major maintenance shutdown of the refinery during which renewal of equipment was undertaken at a cost of R800 million.
Environmental aspects and relations with external parties are managed through SAPREF’s environmental management system which is ISO 14001:2004 certified. The programme requires demonstration of legal compliance and continual improvement.
SAPREF continues to interact with the community in a variety of ways. A toll-free line is available 24/7 for complaints with a dedicated standby team to respond. The SAPREF Community Liaison Forum, comprising representatives of over 20 community based organisations, meets monthly to discuss SAPREF’s operational, environmental and social performance. Flyers are distributed to closest residents when there are major planned maintenance activities that could result in disturbance to neighbours.
Voet acknowledged the leadership of the eThekwini Municipality in setting parameters for environmental performance. In referring to the review of performance against the Scheduled Trade Permit Voet said: “SAPREF’s performance during the period under review was well within our Scheduled Trade Permit limits.”
For more information please contact:
Margaret Rowe
Communications Manager
SAPREF
Tel: 031 480 1892 or 082 880 4905
Margaret.rowe@sapref.com