Water
Our Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) articulates our commitment and approach to environment and social management activities in Papua New Guinea.
Our operations consume water from surface water, marine water and ground water. In addition, treated waste water and storm water are discharged to the environment. Strict water criteria apply to discharged water, as specified in the PNG LNG Environment Permit issued by the PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA).
Water consumption
At the LNG Plant, marine water is the main source of water for the site. A desalination plant processes sea water for potable and service water use. Groundwater is the main source of water used at our operating facilities in the Southern and Hela provinces, with only occasional surface water usage.
Water usage at the sites include potable drinking, washing, cooling water for equipment in the plant and fire water for emergency preparedness.
Water discharges
Process waste water at the LNG Plant and Hides Gas Conditioning Plant passes through a number of treatment processes before being discharged from the site. The waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) are monitored regularly in accordance with our environmental plans.
Sanitary WWTPs are also located at our main operating facilities and contain automatic controls and an on-site operator that monitors the plants’ performance and ensures they are operating efficiently. Samples are collected regularly to check discharge quality.
Clean storm water is collected on-site from non-process areas via a separate channel and discharged into the environment as it is mainly rain water. Storm water is also sampled regularly to check on water quality.
Groundwater sampling at our operating facilities is also carried out to monitor any potential impact on natural aquifers located beneath the sites. Most operations are located inside bunded process areas and landfill sites are lined and designed with leachate management systems to reduce likelihood of groundwater impacts.