NLNG places a premium on Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE) in its activities. The company has a well-articulated HSE policy anchored on the need to take proper care of the health and safety of its employees and of other persons, and to give proper regard to the conservation of the environment.
The company aims to be among the leaders in the LNG industry in these matters. In line with this, NLNG plans its work to:
- Prevent injuries and ill-health;
- Prevent damage to assets and the environment;
- Avoid/eliminate future liabilities; and
- Meet requirements for demonstrable diligence.
At the conception of the NLNG project, preliminary environmental studies was the priority of the company. Between 1987 and 2002, intensive environmental studies were carried out and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports prepared.
The reports were reviewed and certified by the Nigerian environmental governing body, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, (FEPA). Due processes were followed and in early 1997, the final EIA report was approved, making NLNG the first major project in Nigeria to complete the full EIA process before commencement of business.
An important element of the EIA process is to mitigate potential impacts. For the Base Project, some probable impacts were identified and mitigation measures were immediately taken. To ensure adherence to EIA specifications, an Environmental Management Plan with a major objective of ensuring compliance with legislation, and NLNG Company policy was set up.
Discharges to water
To ensure compliance, NLNG adopted the principle of abatement through minimisation at source of aqueous discharges that have the potential of causing negative impact on the environment. Where this is not feasible, application of end-of-pipe technology is adopted to minimise eventual environmental effects of discharge.
| SPECIFICATION |
REQUIREMENTS |
| Temperature |
Maximum Limit 40C |
| pH |
6.5 8.5 |
| Oil & Grease |
Maximum limit 10mg/l |
| Ammonia |
Maximum limit 5mg/l |
|
Nitrate (NO3) |
Maximum limit 50mg/Nm3 |
| Sulphide |
Maximum limit 0.2mg/l |
| Total Suspended Solids |
Maximum limit 30mg/Nm |
| Total Dissolved Solids |
Maximum limit 2000mg/Nm (Spain |
| Biological Oxygen Demand |
Maximum limit 25mg/l |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand |
Maximum limit 125mg/l |
| Residual Chlorine |
Maximum limit 1mg/l |
| Dissolved Oxygen |
1-5mg/l |
| Domestic Sewage |
All domestic sewage to be sent to biotreater; overflowing septic tanks are not permitted on site |
| HCI from Incinerator |
Maximum limit 250mg/Nm3 |
Water Effluents
Sewage Disposal
NLNG has a modern dentrification/ nitrification basin biotreater, which is the first unit of its kind in Nigeria. Waste water and sewage from the Bonny plant, as well as all domestic sewage from the adjacent Residential Area and Joint Venture Construction Camp, are treated in this facility so that only clean water flows into the river. The biotreater plant is in continuous operation. It is designed to meet the stringent effluent water quality specifications as agreed in the EIA Environmental Premises.
Solid Waste Management
The principle adopted here is that of correct handling, treatment and disposal of solid waste to avoid/eliminate liabilities in future and meet requirements for due diligence. NLNG operates an incinerator at its Bonny Plant to dispose of domestic waste as well as combustible industrial waste.
The wetland nature of Bonny Island does not allow for the creation of a landfill site. Consequently, all other solid wastes are temporarily stored on the plant site before being transported to FEPA-approved locations on the mainland. Solid wastes such as wood, metal scraps, empty plastic drums, etc, are labelled and kept at the plant site.
Other options such as recycling or return to vendor are being explored. An early success was recorded with the implementation of a disposal scheme for the Iron Oxide sludge from the borehole water treatment plant. This material is now worked into concrete bricks for construction purposes.
| SPECIFICATION |
REQUIREMENTS |
| Chemical containers/drums |
Avoid recycling for domestic use |
| Scrap metals |
Recycle via approved and registered contractors |
| Batteries |
Collect and store in separate containers; dispose via recycling. No incineration of batteries on site |
| Non-combustibles |
Collect and store separately and dispose via recycling |
|
Hospital waste |
To be incinerated |
| Asbestos (CAF gaskets) |
Not to be incinerated |
| Total Suspended solids |
Maximum limit 30mg/Nm3 |
| HCI from Incinerator |
Maximum limit 250mg/Nm3 |
| General waste management |
Develop and implement a Waste Management Plan in conjunction with relevant Authorities |
Solid Waste Management
Emissions to Air
The principle adopted is minimisation through abatement at source of gaseous emissions, which have the potential of causing negative impact on the environment.
Dispersion modelling of emissions are also employed to ensure that ground level concentrations at the workplace and in the nearby settlements do not exceed the tolerance limits for ambient air pollutants according to ACGIH Occupational Threshold Limit Values.
Baseline studies were carried out on air quality and noise measurements to confirm that the plant meets Project Specification requirements regarding Emission and Discharge Limit as per EIA premises.
The project was signed off as meeting emission and noise limit premises.
Conservation
Finima Nature Park
Nigeria LNG Limited recognises that increased industrial activities on Bonny Island will put considerable pressure on most aspects of community life and the fragile ecosystem. To check this, NLNG established a Nature Reserve to ensure that some areas of the Island are conserved in their natural state.
This is in recognition of the importance of the flora and fauna, the sacrifices of the Bonny people, and their aspiration and commitment to sustain a permanent record of their natural heritage and culture. It is also part of NLNG’s contribution to the national and global conservation objective in line with the Rio Agenda 21, the Ramsar Convention and Bio-diversity Convention.
The park, named Finima Nature Park, is for conservation, recreational activities, and research in the fauna, flora and cultural heritage of Bonny Island. It is approximately 700 hectares. At present, the nature reserve is managed by an NGO, the Niger Delta Wetlands Centre (NDWC), which undertook the feasibility study of the park area. In future, it will be managed by a Board of Trustees drawn from the host community.
This is to ensure that the community has a sense of belonging and to make them appreciate that it is in their long and short-term interest.
The reserve area covers the rain forests and mangrove swamps, as well as an ecologically important area of sandy soil with fresh water ponds and tall timber between the swamps and the beach. This diversity is a good representation of the Niger Delta ecology, which will afford a unique opportunity for research and educational activities. Already, the reserve is harbouring some wildlife species of high conservation value.
There are also a variety of mammals, different bird species (mostly waterfowl) and reptiles, including crocodiles.
In pursuing its environmental policies, the company considers public consultation and enlightenment fundamental to fostering good relationships with its neighbours. It has initiated a forest enlightenment campaign in accordance with EIA mitigation measures.
The company is partnering with the Bonny Environmental Consultants' Committee (BECC) on the campaign. Several billboards urging the preservation of the forests have been erected at strategic locations on the Island.
Use of wildlife resources is prohibited and wildlife concentrated in fenced premises was relocated to the forest before construction work commenced.
NLNG is also exploring the possibility of propagating and preserving the Ibani language, which seems threatened.
