Water Use and Trends in Emissions to Water from the EU Refining Sector

Mr Mike Spence, from Concawe, presents "Water use and Trends in Emissions to Water from the EU Refining Sector"

Europe's environment is probably better today than at any time since 1900, thanks to the enhanced environmental control measures taken by industry, both voluntarily and in response to the legislation developed in the EU. This is substantiated by the European Environment Agency in their 2015 report on the state of the European Environment, which states that, 'Looking back on the last 40 years, implementation of environment and climate policies has delivered substantial benefits for the functioning of Europe's ecosystems and for the health and living standards of its citizens. In many parts of Europe, the local environment is arguably in as good a state today as it has been since the start of industrialisation'. 

Data collected by Concawe on behalf of EU petroleum refiners since 1969 demonstrates that Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) emissions to water have been reduced from 45,000 tonnes in 1969 (82 Western European refineries) to 798 tonnes in 2010 (116 refineries in the whole EU). Considering the growth in throughput over the past 40 years, the relative reduction of TPH emissions is well over 99%, with 798 tonnes equivalent to only 1.3 g of TPH per tonne of crude processed. Since 2000, emissions of substances have been at the level achievable using Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) Best Available Techniques (BAT) and compliant with site operating permit requirements. 

Future water- related challenges faced by the sector include EU initiatives under the 7th Environmental Action Plan on resource efficiency (including water conservation), preservation of biodiversity/ecosystem services and the extension of emission controls. To meet these challenges Concawe has extended it's monitoring of sector performance to include site water usage and 50 effluent quality parameters, including refining Best Available Techniques Associated Emission Levels (BAT-AEL's), reportable substances and other parameters specifically mentioned in operating permits.

This factual data collected by Concawe will continue to assist its membership in maintaining past achievements, responding to new scientific and regulatory developments and enabling the management of the further environmental improvements that are required for sustainable water management in cost efficient way.

This conference wll take place Wednesday 18th November, 10.05-10.25, Conference Room A.