Sines refinery is equipped with the latest environmental protection systems, including:
- ongoing monitoring system of gas effluent, covering most of the facilities;
- reduction system of particle emissions from the FCC's catalyst regenerator;
- analytical control system of effluent, industrial saline wastewater and rain water;
- monitoring system of soils and underground waters through a piezometer network;
- dynamic equipment of low-level noise; and
- orientation vectors that comply with Portuguese and EU law, and foster continuous improvement to reduce our impact on the environment.
In Sines refinery, the hydric domain is protected by a drainage system and gravity separators that collect and treat oily water from processes. This equipment separates and collects the remaining hydrocarbons in the effluent, and recycles them as slops in the crude. Other equipment absorbs the effluent, particularly hydrogen sulphide, from liquid water streams.
Following treatment, the industrial effluent is sent to the residual water treatment station of Ribeira de Moinhos. After being neutralised, the salty effluent produced in the refinery is sent to Sines submarine expeller through an adduction conduit. For solid residues, the residue management system reduces and treats mud and manages a solid residue park.
To help protect the air, most gas effluent is released through a main chimney 234 metres high, which is considered adequate for good smoke dispersion in the atmosphere. We continuously monitor the amounts, while process boilers and furnaces have low NOx burners. The refinery also has a system to reduce particles in the FCC unit (fluid catalytic cracking).
Our environmental policy also ensures we responsibly inform authorities and the public annually about the progress of our environmental performance.
Quality
The quality of our products, services and human resources is critical to our success. From a corporate management perspective, we believe quality is the drive to continuously improve, remain competitive, and innovate to secure clients’ trust.
That is why Galp Energia's quality strategy aims at continuously enhancing client satisfaction, shareholder return, human resources, and respect for the community where it operates.
The Company encourages technological innovation in every stage of the product cycle. Through this approach, we can adapt products to changing markets and increase use, reliability and safety.
In its activities, Sines refinery aims to apply the principles of Quality Management according to the standards of ISO 9000.
Safety
Galp Energia is committed to proactively and continuously improving safety, hygiene and health issues, according to the safety policy. We update the safety management system and its goals regularly to guarantee their effectiveness at all times.
The Company aims to go beyond meeting legal safety requirements by using the best project, operation and management practices in every activity. To achieve this goal, we implemented a safety management system, which sets out the structures, bodies, responsibilities and roles of the participants. Our strategy is to manage our goals effectively.
Galp Energia provides the necessary financial means to execute yearly goals by integrating them in the action plan. Safety indicators that promote our assessment of attaining goals are also in place.
The Company identifies predictable emergency situations, undertakes a systematic risk analysis and elaborates, updates, tests and improves the emergency plans. For this end, we work closely with the authorities and national and local services.
Sines refinery has implemented correction mechanisms covering malfunctions and deficiencies detected by analysing accidents and incidents within in the facilities.
As we encourage involvement in safety, Galp Energia, and particularly the Sines refinery, provides training sessions for the Company's employees and contractors' employees as an effective prevention practice.
At Galp Energia, we appreciate the importance of safety, hygiene and health. Therefore, we will never renounce these factors in the pursuit of increasing returns. Put simply, we will not tolerate unsafe practices.
These safety concerns translate into a fire fighting system equipped with a distribution network of water and foam. It is supplied by a basin with a capacity of 27,000m³. Our operations also include a fire-fighter brigade and a detection system of hydrocarbon, toxic product and smoke escapes.