LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas AD
LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas AD

About the Project

The LIVE WATEROIL project aims to demonstrate a sustainable water treatment approach of relevance to high water-demanding industries. The goal is to decrease the emission of pollutants and improve the ecological condition of the Mandra-Poda water basin through exploitation of alternative water sources and the application of a more effective wastewater processing technology. Furthermore, the project aims to show the viability of substituting fresh water with treated water.

Specifically, the project aims to:

  • Introduce and optimise a novel integrated concept for alternative water supply, pertinent to the crude oil desalting stage, through establishing conditions for recirculation and reuse of stripped water;

  • Optimise and demonstrate the feasibility of a new wastewater treatment process based on the (i) application of enzyme-microbiological bioactivators to degrade and neutralise compounds (H2S, mercaptans, dissolved hydrocarbons) and the (ii) establishment of closed environment for transportation of sulphide-containing wastewaters through construction of a closed pipeline, which will replace the existing non-hermetic scheme;

  • Ensure better oxygen uptake and more effective processing in the Waste Water Treatment Plant of the compounds that were not evaporated from the wastewater stream through reconstruction of the biobasins aeration system; and

  • Encourage the replication of the project solution and its application in other refineries and other sectors such as pulp production, waste treatment and chemicals.

The project supports the implementation of Water Framework Directive at the pilot location and will provide recommendations for the third cycle of national WFD reporting and the drawing up of river basin management plans for Bulgaria. It also contributes to the EU Refining of Mineral Oil and Gas Best Available Techniques Reference document, along with the implementation of the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.

Expected results:

  • The full-scale implementation of the solution leading to multiple reductions compared to the current treatment process;

  • Significant freshwater savings, reduced pressure on the protected area, and a substantial decrease in harmful emissions to the air, soil and water. (The new treatment facility will minimise the loss of around 420 000 m3 of water a year, 8 400 MWh electric energy/year and 400 tonnes of fuel gas, while saving 1 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year);

  • The optimisation of the scheme of acid technological condensates, along with the reduction of the content of hydrogen sulphide and ammonia in supplied water by more than 90% - leading to reduced amount of emitted pollutants by 9 kg/hour (75.1 tonnes/year);

  • The utilisation of the hot stripped water, resulting in increased value creation, sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness of the company (due to reduced production costs; more effective addition of biologically active reagents; destroyed emulsion and increased safety for subsequent distillation processes; better drainage; water quality control; improved quality of the desalinated oil in line with the expected minimisation of the NaOH neutraliser; increased reliability in refining all types of crude oil and decreased consumption of fuel gas in the furnaces attributable to the raised temperature of the oil); and

  • Better and safer working conditions for the personnel, job creation and opportunities for continuous learning (trainings, seminars and international travel), as well as improvement of the living conditions for the local community.

The LIFE WATEROIL project has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union.

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