Environmental Performance Measurement Framework for Petroleum Refinery

摘要

A state of art Environmental Management System demands continuous improvement. Performance measurement is a powerful tool for bringing about that improvement. Performance measures also strengthen accountability and a performance-focused system can boost the transparency of information too if shared with public. In an effort to understand and improve performance against stated objectives and targets, Kuwait National Petroleum Co. (KNPC) has initiated the development of a performance measurement framework. KNPC like many other organizations is seeking to understand, demonstrate and improve its environmental performance. It is aimed to achieve this by effective management of activities, products and services that significantly affect the environment. An Environment Management System conforming to ISO 14001 is thus the aim. This demands that KNPC should assess its environmental performance against its environmental policy, objectives and targets and other environmental performance criteria. This approach is consistent with ISO 14031 EMS performance evaluation guidelines. To establish the measurement framework, it is required to undertake a number of tasks. Notably -Planning: addressing the following issues priorities; actions; applicable environmental aspects; timetable; resources; and senior management commitment. Developing Performance Measurement Indicators Setting of Targets Collecting Baseline Data Reporting Reviewing and Improving Performance Petroleum industry environmental, health and safety performance is reported annually in the Petroleum Industry Environmental Performance Report by American Petroleum Institute. Information is provided using a series of industry environmental indicators, such as chemical releases (Toxic Release Inventory), refinery residuals management, used oil recycling, oil spills, underground storage tank upgrades, gasoline vapor recovery systems, and environmental expenditures. The industry is sustaining or improving on the gains it has made in past years. Refineries are releasing smaller quantities of chemical substances. Less and less oil is being spilled. This presents a tough goal for the company to meet. The paper explores the issues involved particularly for petroleum industry and relates the experiences gained in implementing the system at KNPC.