One of India's contemporary concerns is to harness resources which are in sync with environmental sustainability. IndianOil operations provide a good case in point whereby judiciously thought and executed plans in terms of making business greener have led to noticeable difference to not only local environment, but have also contributed to ecological well being at large, B N Bankapur, Director (Refineries), IndianOil.
Petroleum refining and environmental management - nothing could be more paradoxical, but recent trends defy this outlook whereby environmental protection has become one of the significant concerns of the petroleum industry in India. IndianOil, as part of its commitment of being an active partner of the Global Compact Programme of the United Nations, have a comprehensive safety, health and environment management programme in place in all its operating units and installations. Apart from periodically reviewed and upgraded facilities for better performance, IndianOil preserves and promotes implementation of advanced technology and collaborative R&D to produce green fuel with minimal emissions and wastes. Scientifically designed green belts have been developed at the refineries to serve as pollution sink.
The environment management systems of all IndianOil refineries, pipeline installations and major marketing installations/terminals are certified with 1SO-14001 standards. All IndianOil refineries are accredited for Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS-18001). They are also rated under International Safety Rating System (ISRS). While Panipat and Gujarat Refineries are rated at level 9 in the scale of 1 to 10, the Mathura Refinery is the first oil refinery in Asia and 3rd in the world to receive the ISO-14001 certification. Salaya-Mathura and Koyali-Ahmedabad Pipelines have become the 1st 'green pipelines' in the world with ISO-14001 certification.
Apart from constantly reviewed and updated technologies, IndianOil refineries have eco-parks which sustain themselves on treated water and recycling of waste material. The following discussion refers to some such efforts aimed at eco-enhancement in the refineries with select cases of Mathura and Gujarat refineries.
Eco-enhancement: Mathura and Gujarat The efforts to control emissions at Mathura Refinery are particularly important because of its proximity to the famed Taj Mahal. The Refinery has set up three ambient air quality-monitoring stations between the refinery and the city of Agra and a fourth one at Bharatpur in order to minimise the impact of refinery operations on the air quality of surrounding areas. The greatest testimony to the green movement of Mathura Refinery lies in the sprawling ecological park located in the heart of the main plant. Spread in an area of 4.45 acres, this park thrives on the treated effluent and houses over 45 species of trees and shrubs. The treated effluent is received in five polishing ponds; the water channels serve as the habitat for nurturing rich aquatic and avian life and have become a sanctuary for local and migratory birds with over 96 varieties of birds including 30 migratory species. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has identified several permanent and migratory avian varieties including lapwings, egrets, kingfishers, herons, coots, spot bills, pintails from Russia and China in the eco park. The mini bird sanctuary serves as a bio-indicator and stands testimony to the fact that industry and ecology can coexist in harmony.
Gujarat Refinery at Vadodara is lndianOil's largest refinery. Its success is built upon business and community partnerships with local people, The Refinery's environment management strategies involve prevention and control of air pollution, solid waste management, recycling of treated effluent and occupational health facilities. The presence of variety of flora and fauna in its three green belts showcase the success of refinery's environment management efforts. The Refinery has an eco park located inside the green belt area surrounded by a pond of about 13.000 sq. m. with an average depth of 8 ft. A bridge built out of waste steel transports visitors to an island in the middle of the pond where an open log hut provides the visitors an expansive view of the Refinery. There is a nursery with rose saplings and several species of birds reside in the eco park. Another log hut built in the ethnic style offers a different ambience for official meetings. Treated effluent is being used for filling up the pond as well as for watering the trees of the eco park. A rain water harvesting-cum-production well is also used to top up the eco pond. The Refinery has given topmost priority to plantation of trees as a part of air pollution control measures. Already two green belts have been fully developed in the downwind of the refinery and third one is in nurturing stage.
Ecological parks have also been developed in seven other refineries. Besides the eco park various other environmental measures such as tree plantation and green belt development also ensure IndianOil s successful blend of technology with ecology.
Corporate Social ResponsibilityRefining nature's wealth to get the best in the most eco-friendly manner continues to be accorded a prime place in IndianOil's endeavours. IndianOil has successfully combined its corporate social responsibility agenda with its business offerings, meeting the energy needs of millions of people everyday across the length and breadth of the country, traversing a diversity of cultures, difficult terrains and harsh climatic conditions. The Corporation takes pride in its continuous investments in innovative technologies and solutions for sustainable energy flow and economic growth. Water conservation is being vigorously taken up through its quality control, reuse of treated water and maximum use of air in cooling systems instead of water. The persistent efforts reaffirm the corporate commitment towards maintaining the ecosystem in sync with harnessing socio-economic development of our country.
