Environmental Protection
The PGNiG Group makes every effort to use resources, raw materials and energy in an efficient manner. Apart from investing in technologies designed to reduce emissions of harmful gases and waste, we also reclaim land previously used for oil and gas projects.
Environmental Impact
The operations of the PGNiG Group affect the environmental balance. Both the production of natural gas and crude oil and their distribution cause interference with the nature. On the other hand, the use of natural gas helps reduce air emissions in comparison with other fossil fuels.
All companies of the PGNiG Group seek to minimize the negative effects of their operations. They follow the applicable Polish and EU laws, as well as in-house standards and instructions. Implementation and certification of environmental management systems at most of the PGNiG branches and the PGNiG Group companies contributed to obtaining notable environmental benefits. Our efforts are, in the first place, geared to limit our negative environmental impact and monitor the processes on an on-going basis. These rules are followed by the Group companies not only in their operations in Poland, but also in the exploratory work abroad. Environment-oriented projects accompany all operations of the PGNiG Group – from hydrocarbon production to distribution to storage.
In compliance with the Environmental Protection Act, the PGNiG Group companies conduct evaluation and land reclamation work in the areas contaminated in the course of its past operations (e.g. traditional gas industry) with a view to restoring them to the condition prescribed by the environmental quality standards.
PGNiG also strives to educate its employees in the area of environmental protection. The Company organises training courses and conferences at which the most important issues related to environmental protection are discussed. They are also aimed at defining a common range of tasks to be implemented in the future, primarily those relating to the goals of the Group’s CSR Strategy.
| Allocated | Used | Retained | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 99,982 | 76,360 | 23,622 |
| 2010 | 99,982 | 81,704 | 18,278 |
| 2011 | 99,982 | 91,098 | 8,884 |
Well Abandonment
PGNiG is required to plug and abandon wells whose reserves have been depleted, eliminate the danger and remove any damage caused by the production activities, restoring the land to its original condition. Plugging of wells and pits prevents leakage of crude oil and natural gas to the surface and to watercourses. Furthermore, if gas wells remained unplugged, there would be a risk that escaping gas could accumulate inside, posing a fire hazard. In 2011, 11 wells and 11 mining pits were abandoned.
Land Reclamation
In the first half of 2011, supplementary tests and surveys were completed on properties in Kargowa, Zabrze, Łabiszyn and Międzylesie, with a total area of 15,577 m² (over 1.5 ha). In the second half of 2011, we also completed reclamation work on properties in Pyrzyce and Koźmin Wielkopolski, with a total area of 9,167 m² (approximately 1 ha). In the second half of 2011, the Company initiated reclamation procedures on properties in Kargowa and Radków; the process will continue in 2012.
Recording of Methane Emissions from the Gas Distribution Network
In 2011, PGNiG started to take detailed recordings of methane emissions from the gas distribution system. According to a schedule of work under the contract with Instytut Nafty i Gazu (Oil and Gas Institute) of Kraków, the contractor, the work will continue for 18 months. Its purpose is to estimate the volume of methane emissions from particular components of the system, review the emission indicators applied to date, and develop uniform indicators and calculation methods for methane emissions. Standardised and reliable methane emission indicators will help reduce the cost of environmental fees and charges.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Since 2005, the greenhouse gas emission trading scheme, a new economically efficient method of cutting air emissions, has been in place across the European Union. Two of PGNiG’s installations, namely facilities in Zielona Góra and Odolanów, as well as the Mogilno underground gas storage facility, participate in the carbon dioxide emissions trading scheme (ETS). In 2011, the total amount of credits granted to the PGNiG installations under the National Allocation Plan for 2008–2012 (NAP II) was 99,982 Mg CO2 a year. Although our facilities have been designated as class A installations, the gas fuel consumption and quality parameters at PGNiG are higher than required. This has been achieved through the use of appropriate testing procedures and monitoring of the measuring equipment. Natural gas features by far the lowest CO2 emissions. Additionally, gas supplied via distribution systems offers stable composition and high-quality characteristics. In 2011, CO2 emissions from our facilities participating in the CO2 emissions trading scheme (ETS) were 91,098 Mg. In October 2011, an initial review was carried out to qualify the Wierzchowice Underground Gas Storage Facility (currently under construction) for the CO2 emission trading scheme.
Environmental Management System
To date, more than three-quarters of the PGNiG Branches and the PGNiG Group key companies have implemented, certificated and had in place the Environmental Management System (EMS), frequently integrated with other systems, such as quality, OHS or information security management systems. In 2011, another two gas companies completed implementation of the Environmental Management System. Wielkopolska Spółka Gazownictwa has currently operates an Integrated Management System (IMS), comprising the PN-EN ISO 14001:2005 Environmental Management System, the PN-N-18001:2004 OHS Management System and the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System. In 2011, Mazowiecka Spółka Gazownictwa implemented its Environmental Management System in line with the requirements of PN-EN ISO 14001:2005, integrated with the other three systems, i.e. the OHS Management System (PN-N 18001:2004), the Information Security Management System (PN-ISO/IEC 27001:2007), and the Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2009). Also in 2011 the identification methods and assessment criteria for environmental aspects of the operations were standardised for gas companies.
Natura 2000
When selecting a site for a project, we take into consideration the presence of any protected areas, Natura 2000 sites or other areas of high environmental value, which on the one hand require special procedures during the execution phase or compensatory measures, and on the other hand may constrain our investment plans. When undertaking projects, which require an environmental impact assessment, the PGNiG Group companies observe all relevant procedures and prepare environmental reports. Our advanced technological solutions enable us to limit the our impact on the flora and fauna by reducing the size of tree-felling areas, securing trees’ root systems during earthwork, and limiting vibrations as well as noise and pollutant emissions, particularly during the mating and breeding seasons.
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