Repsol YPF

Air Emissions

Atmospheric pollution can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic sources, such as with industrial activity. Conscience of this, Repsol YPF has developed monitoring programs for the control and reduction of emissions into the air associated with the company’s operations, as well as energy efficiency improvement actions. 

The main pollutants in the atmosphere, in addition to greenhouse gases, are sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM) and non-methane volatile organic compounds, (NMVOC) that primarily come from combustion installations, air currents and storage tanks. Sulphur dioxide mainly comes from the sulphur contained in the fuels used as energy industrial processes. Its presence in the atmosphere is responsible for acid rain. To reduce emissions, Repsol YPF practices the following: 

• Using cleaner fuels.
• Reduction of the fuel sulphur content through the set-up of new sulphur recuperating units, and improving the efficiency of those in existence.
• Desulphurisation of the fuel gases through the most advance technology.          

Nitrogen oxide is produced during combustion due mainly to the nitrogen present in the atmosphere. 50% of emissions from the company’s operations are from engines.

This contaminant is also responsible for acid rain and it is a precursor to troposphere ozone.Repsol YPF reduces these emissions through:

• Control of operating conditions.
• Selection of state-of-the-art equipment.
• Replacing combustion engines with electrical equipment.          

The non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) intervene indirectly in the process of acid rain formation and smog. These compounds are mainly emitted during crude oil and gas extraction operations, in storage terminals, service stations during the handling of petrol, and in general due to  fugitive emissions from components (joins, stamps, valves, bridles, ...).

The actions are orientated to reduce emissions:

• Recuperation of NMVOC vapour in service stations during storage tank loading.
• Control actions through identification campaigns, measurement and reduction of fugitive emissions.
• Substitution for more watertight compartments.
• Renovation of the storage park.   

Amongst other tools, there is a worldwide Corporate Regulation, whose objective is the correct management of atmospheric emissions. 

Links of interest:

Our data / Case studies  /  GRI indicators 

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