Environmental Management

Due to the nature of its operations, OMV has an impact on the environment. The Group strives to minimize that impact at all times, particularly in terms of spills, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as water and waste management. OMV aims to optimize processes to use natural resources as efficiently as possible and to reduce emissions and discharges.

In 2020, there were two major hydrocarbon spills (level 3 out of five levels; 2019: one). The total volume of hydrocarbon spilled decreased compared to the previous year. OMV continued to improve its oil spill response preparedness and capabilities.

Key environmental actions and achievements in 2020:

• Water risk assessment related to the operations of Arpechim Terminal in Downstream and Muntenia Asset in Upstream: Both the river basin data and the industrial activity data were analyzed by using an methodology developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature.
• Significant improvement of water use efficiency: At Oltenia Asset, freshwater withdrawal intensity decreased by 70% in 2020 versus 2019 because new facilities in the Hurezani and Bustuchin gas processing and compressor stations now use air/glycol cooling instead of water cooling. Arpechim Terminal was able to reduce freshwater withdrawal by 35% compared to 2019 by optimizing the pretreated water distribution system and the fire water system.
• Rerouting of 2.5 km of the main oil pipeline from the Petromar offshore platform to the onshore terminal to mitigate the potential operational risk to an environmentally sensitive area of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve: The old pipeline segment was decommissioned, and the land returned to its original state. The protected habitat was not affected.
• Support of biodiversity projects in New Zealand: Further details can be found in the Sustainability Report.
• Update of the Group’s Environmental Management Standard establishing minimum requirements for odor emissions