All initiatives taken by PKN ORLEN in 2009 aimed at ensuring maximum environmental neutrality of our production, storage and distribution processes.
Economically, 2009 was a difficult year, both on the global and local scale. However, the macroeconomic situation did not affect much the Company’s environmental activities. We implemented several environmental initiatives and investment projects, the latter being the construction of, for example:
In 2009, capital expenditure on tasks related to environmental protection at ORLEN’s Production Plant in Płock alone amounted to over PLN 191 mn. As a result of those initiatives, we were obliged to change the integrated permit for the units operating at PKN ORLEN Production Plant.
In July 2009, we obtained a decision from the Marshal of Mazowieckie Voivodeship which contained, among others, the following modifications:
Apart from the changes in the integrated permit, we had our permits for the Refinery and Combined Heat and Power Plant to participate in the Community CO2 emission allowances trading scheme modified according to new legislation concerning the monitoring of CO2 emission. A similar permit was for the first time obtained for the petrochemical cracking unit Olefins II. All the units covered by the system had their 2009 reports positively verified and did not exceed their average annual allocations.
In 2009, we reported an appr. 0.5% drop in total emissions to the atmosphere compared to the previous year, while the volume of processed oil went up by over 2%. The drop in total emissions was accompanied by increased emissions of pollutants such as: SO2, NOx and CO, while the emissions of hydrocarbon and dust dropped.
The amount of water uptaken from the Vistula dropped by 2.4%, as did the volume of sewage discharged (by 8.3%) compared to the previous year. This was possible thanks to an increased reuse of water.
We also reported a lower environmental impact of the Płock Plant in terms of waste generation volume (-34%) and packaging released on the market (-41% by weight). In 2009, we completed the muting of selected sources of high acoustic power, as declared in an application for the integrated permit. The final stage was the muting of air ventilators at the boilers of the Combined Heat and Power Plant. As a result of the above measures, as well as the new method of monitoring the environmental impact, we were able to eliminate cases of exceeding top noise levels in acoustically protected areas.
We implemented several important environmental projects at our fuel stations, too. Among others, we introduced a selective collection of batteries and replaced throw-away plastic bags with environmentallyfriendly, reusable paper, oxy-biodegradable foil and polypropylene bags. The bags were launched under a new brand name: GO Eco.
Last year was also important for our Responsible Care (RC) Programme. In 2009, we started implementing the Framework Responsible Care Management System, which supplements the existing safety management systems, in the broad meaning of the term.
The “Catch the Hare” contest, organised by RC, is becoming increasingly popular among our personnel, and one of our employees won the competition last year.
Another undeniable success, though we did not directly contribute to it, was the hatching of new falcon nestlings on the Claus chimney nest box. This year, we organised a “Name the Falcon” competition, and the four younglings were called: Orleńka, Petronela, Rafek and Naftek.
In 2009, the Płock Production Plant, namely the Moczary reservoir, hosted a group of beavers. Though they help the natural environment, their presence was a nuisance for the Refinery.
Thus, we hired the only specialist team in Poland to catch and remove the animals. They caught 3 adult and 2 young beavers and transported them to the middle section of the Osetnica River.
Air Protection
According to the control measurements carried out by the Company and authorised auditing bodies in 2009, the top emission limits set out in the Integrated Permit were not exceeded by the refinery and petrochemical facilities in Płock.
Emission of selected pollutants by the Production Plant in Płock in 2008 and 2009 (Mg)
| 2008 | 2009 | Growth | Fall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur dioxide | 20 444,59 | 20 975,23 | 530,64 | 2,59% |
| Nitrogen monoxides (as per nitrogen dioxide) | 6 821,48 | 7 124,27 | 302,79 | 4,44% |
| Carbon monoxide | 812,16 | 1 010,87 | 198,71 | 24,47% |
| Total hydrocarbons | 1 384,01 | 1 238,12 | -145,89 | -10,54% |
| Fuel combustion dust | 453,34 | 399,75 | -53,59 | -11,82% |
| Carbon dioxide | 6 158 959,11 | 6 126 894,42 | -32 064,69 | -0,52% |
| Other pollutants | 270,71 | 370,05 | 99,34 | 36,70% |
| Total pollutant emmision | 6 189 145,40 | 6 158 012,71 | -31 132,62 | 0,50% |
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