- Cepsa Química Puente Mayorga was the first industrial center in Andalusia to be awarded the EMAS certificate. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this milestone.
- Environmental statements trace Cepsa’s annual objectives and targets in this field
In 2016, Cepsa invested 12.5 million euros in environmental improvements in its San Roque centers, as reflected in the annual environmental statements. Cepsa is committed to transparency in its reporting to society, and one way it does so is through these statements made by each center and their subsequent distribution.
As in previous years, the two documents give an in-depth view of the environmental performance, with improvement shown in all environmental impact parameters. They also provide details of the specific targets and goals in each center.
Miguel Pérez de la Blanca, Director of the Gibraltar-San Roque Refinery, and Agustín Bonilla, director of Cepsa Química Puente Mayorga, pointed out that “these environmental statements show Cepsa's unceasing commitment to annual improvement by applying the best available technology and by being exhaustive in the production processes”.
Principal outcomes
Atmospheric emissions. At the Gibraltar-San Roque refinery, the average annual bubble concentrations were significantly below the limits set by the Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA) with concentration values similar to those of the previous year and below the permitted values: 21% lower for particles and 13% lower in SO2 compared to the previous year.
In 2016, SO2 emissions reached an all-time low of 3,675 t/year, 13% lower than in 2015, and 61% lower than 2006. These gradual reductions in SO2 emissions are due to the improvement in fuel quality, achieved thanks to the increase in natural gas consumption and the improvements implemented in the Sulfur recovery and Amine treatment units, so that consumer fuel gas is virtually sulfur free.
As chemicals plants only use gaseous fuel in production processes, mainly natural gas, SO2 and particle emissions are minimal, below detection limits. NOx emissions have remained at levels similar to the previous year, below the established limits.
Wastewater. In the Refinery, the volume of wastewater at the main discharge point is 10% less than that permitted. Average discharge quality has been the same as in recent years, the water treatment at the point of the submarine outfall complying 100%.
Wastewater from the Puente Mayorga Chemical Plant is treated at the refinery's own treatment plant.
Energy efficiency. In 2016, the Energy Intensity Index (EII), which includes all energy consumption at the facilities such as electricity, fuel gas, etc., was 79.6 points at the Gibraltar-San Roque Refinery.
The Refinery is currently ISO-50001 certified. The aim of this standard is to promote energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, guarantee compliance with energy legislation, and increase the use of surplus energy.
The Puente Mayorga Chemical has the same energy consumption index as the previous year, due to the Company's constant commitment and investment in projects aimed at reducing energy consumption.
Balance of CO2 emissions in Cepsa's industrial centers in San Roque
In 2013, the third period of allocation (2013-2020) of CO2 emission allowances began, under which co-generation facilities no longer received free allowances. As a result, the refinery's total emissions balance for 2016 is a deficit of 59,789 tons of CO2 rights and for the Puente Mayorga chemical plant, a deficit of 49,195 tons of CO2 rights.
Other activities
The environmental statements contain detailed information about many other matters from noise and soil monitoring, water and raw materials usage, to activities which have an influence on environmental improvements to products manufactured, in order to reduce their impact when used by end-users.
Cepsa’s environmental management is not limited to monitoring the impact of its activities. It also extends to such sensitive issues as the training of its own employees about the environment and also those of the businesses which provide services at the Company's facilities or communication with the community.
In addition, through the Cepsa Foundation set up in 2016, Cepsa adopts a proactive stance in the defense and improvement of biodiversity in the areas surrounding its production facilities. A good example of this type of activity is the recovery of and improvements to the wetlands along the Madrevieja river. Through this program, the Cepsa Foundation is providing local people with a space and activities to raise awareness about the natural environment in the area.
Since 2008, Cepsa has organized the neighborhood committee in the areas in the vicinity of our plants. The purpose of this committee is to maintain close relations
with communities and to let them know about their activities. Every year, the Open Days program is also organized so that people living nearby can visit the plant.