Remediation of a Refinery Site in Romania

Oil refineries in the EU are subject to stringent environmental regulations. All facilities involved in the production, storage, and processing of crude oil and related products must meet high safety standards to prevent any impact on human health and the environment. In addition, EU directives require the remediation of existing soil and groundwater contamination.

Earlier production activities at the refinery have left acid tar deposits across an area of around 100,000 m². One particularly challenging factor: Residential areas of the city are located directly adjacent to the contaminated site.

As part of the feasibility study, we evaluated several solutions put forward by our customer for the site treatment and remediation on the acid tar oil deposits. However, none of the suggested options offered a satisfactory level of planning or investment security. CDM Smith was therefore commissioned to develop a customised site-specific remediation concept involving in-situ soil stabilisation. We surveyed the site, took samples from the acid tar, and determined the chemical and mechanical composition of the material in laboratory tests. We added a variety of aggregate materials to the acid tar to stabilise the material samples under laboratory conditions to determine the appropriate formula for consolidation and further optimising the process according to environmental and economic factors.

We conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment to evaluate the environmental compatibility of our remediation method and obtained the necessary environmental permit. Aside from preparing the environmental risk assessment for humans and the environment, the approval process included a public hearing. Due to the residential development being just a few metres away, the close proximity to the acid tar oil deposits required particular attention.

Following approval of the now patented remediation method, we developed preliminary remediation plans, including a qualified cost estimate. We paid particular attention to the presence of unexploded ordnances and identified additional areas on site requiring surveillance.

As part of the project, we delivered a comprehensive range of services – from site investigation to permitting:

• search Site investigation
• science Sampling (Acid tar, soil, groundwater)
• biotech Laboratory testing / material analysis
• query_stats Feasibility studies
• eco Development of remediation options including cost-benefit analysis
• article Preliminary design for remediation (in-situ soil solidification)
• euro Cost estimation
• eco Environmental Impact Assessment
• check Management of permitting procedures