A focus on Petroleum Spills and Leak

Nepal Oil Corporation Limited is responsible for importing, transporting, storing and distributing petroleum products in the country that play a critical role in ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of energy resources. However, during the process, we experience the spill and leak of the product which causes threat to human health, public safety, environment well being and reputation of our organization as well. So, a focus on petroleum spill and leak is must. In order to prevent and handle such situations, it is critical that we address these issues and give best practices top priority.

The risk may occur at any stage from importing to distribution of fuels and accidents are frequently caused by insufficient infrastructure, malfunctioning during operation at depots, or human mistake resulting in environmental contamination, health hazards, and financial losses. The major reason for leak and spill can be:

1. Spills can result from tank ruptures or leaks caused by collisions and accidents involving tanker trucks or other transportation vehicles.
2. Leakage of product can occur during transportation due to mechanical malfunctions in pumps, valves, hoses, and tanks.
3. Overfilling the storage tanks in the transportation vehicle can cause spills when the vehicle is in motion.
4. Spills and leaks can occur from human error when loading, unloading, or securing it.
5. Leaks may occur from the corrosion, structural weakness, or poor maintenance of petroleum product storage tanks over time.
6. Inadequate secondary containment systems to capture leaks or spills can result in environmental contamination.
7. Significant spills may result from catastrophic events like tank rupture brought on by outside forces like accidents or natural disasters.
8. Breaking down or wearing out of distribution equipment like pumps, hoses, and valves can result in leaks.
9. Inadequate safety protocols and training for personnel involved in distribution can contribute to accidents and spills.
10. Leaks along the pipeline can occur in the distribution network due to corrosion, damage, or poor maintenance.

Effect of spill and leak of petroleum product:

Petroleum product leaks and spills can have significant and far-reaching effects environment well being, public safety, and reputation of Nepal Oil Corporation Limited.

A.    Environmental well-being:

The state of the air, water, soil, and ecosystems in our natural surrounds is referred to as environmental well-being. Petroleum products can pollute the air, contaminate water supplies, and render the land unsuitable for plants and animals when they leak or spill. Plants, animals, and the general health of the ecosystem are all impacted by this, which upsets the delicate balance of nature. Long-term damage may also result from it, decreasing biodiversity and hindering the environment's ability to heal. Thus, safeguarding the environment is about more than simply the preservation of nature. It is also about our own health and a sustainable future.

 

B.     Public safety

Keeping people safe and out of harm's way is the main goal of public safety. People may be put in danger when chemicals like oil spill. In addition to the potential for health risks, the vapors from spills can be frightening and dangerous if they cause a fire or explosion. We might occasionally need to leave our houses in order to be safe. In addition to being expensive to clean up after, spills can make people ill, which is bad for our health. Therefore, maintaining everyone's safety is the goal of public safety, allowing us to go about our daily lives without fear of injury or accident.

In case of Nepal Oil Corporation Limited, we have seen and heard about the employees who have put their life forward and works in operation to maintain demand and supply chain resulting in the chronic disease which is hard to cure.

 

C.    Reputation of Nepal Oil Corporation Limited

The public perception of Nepal Oil Corporation Limited is closely linked to its reputation. Oil spills and disasters have the potential to damage a company's reputation. In a similar vein, a company may lose public trust if it experiences disaster and spills. Additionally, it may run into legal issues or be required to make restitution for any harm done. Therefore, a company's reputation matters since it contributes to its success and fosters positive relationships with the public and customers.

 

Mitigating and preventing spill and leaks

Mitigating and preventing spill and leaks is crucial for NOCL, still the organization must put a step forward to minimize the risk. Here are some practices and mitigation measures that can be implemented as follow:

1. To identify and correct potential defects before they become serious ones, regularly examine and repair equipment, such as distribution systems, storage tanks, pipelines, and transportation vehicles.
2. Employees engaged in transportation, storage, and distribution should receive thorough training with a focus on safety protocols, spill response, and the best ways to handle petroleum products.
3. To quickly identify and correct any discrepancies or leaks, invest in advanced monitoring and leak detection technologies, such as automated sensors and systems.
4. Use secondary containment techniques to stop spills and leaks from spreading into the environment, such as berms, dikes, or double-walled storage tanks.
5. Create and update a clear emergency response plan that specifies what should be done in the event of a spill or leak. This plan should include equipment and spill response teams.
6. To make sure that operations meet or surpass industry best practices, adhere to through all applicable local, national, and international laws, rules, and safety standards.
7. To determine and categorize possible risks, conduct thorough environmental risk assessments. Then, take proactive steps to lower these risks.
8. When designing storage and distribution facilities, keep spill prevention in mind and include features like impermeable barriers, efficient drainage systems, and overflow protection.
9. Especially in the event of a spill, uphold open and honest communication with the public, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders in order to establish and preserve trust.
10. To make sure that safety protocols and tools are up to date with industry standards and in good functioning order, conduct periodic inspections and audits.
11. Encourage staff members to identify possible hazards or areas for improvement and make necessary changes to establish a culture of continuous improvement.
12. Educate the public through awareness campaigns and educational initiatives on safe handling, storage, and response to petroleum product spills.

 Addressing the Gap in Policies for Spills and Leaks

A significant gap shows up in laws pertaining to the distribution, storage, and transit of petroleum products. The Oil Corporation Limited does not have any particular policies in place to deal with spills and leaks. Moreover, it is essential to point out that the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act 2074 and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Regulation 2076 noticeably omit this issue.

A key hurdle in risk management is the lack of specific policies and regulatory references regarding spills and leaks. Without precise guidelines, the corporation might not have explicit directives in place to effectively mitigate and manage spills or leaks, like many others in similar industries do. Public safety and the health of the environment are both significantly threatened by this gap.

Considering the evident gap in policies, the Nepal Oil Corporation Limited needs to act quickly to resolve this matter. The suggestions for bridging this gap can be:

1. The company ought to think about creating internal policies and processes that are especially designed for managing, responding to, and preventing spills and leaks throughout the whole range of its operations. The protection of the environment, community welfare, and safety should be the main priorities of these programs.
2. Collaborating with professionals in risk management, environmental protection, and safety in order to develop strong and effective policies. Ensuring that the policies are in line with global best practices requires using the knowledge and experience of experts in these domains.
3. It is essential to involve relevant stakeholders, such as regulatory bodies, in order to establish industry norms and protocols that bridge the current gap.
4. Corporation can take references from the developing countries who have already prepared and practicing on the similar policies.
5. The organization ought to place a strong emphasis on creating a comprehensive plan for cleaning up spills and restoring the environment. By doing this, long-term ecological harm is reduced and the impacted ecosystems are guaranteed a quick and effective recovery.

It is evident that the critical issue of spills and leaks occurring during the distribution, storage, and transportation of petroleum products requires prioritizing public safety and environmental protection above all else. Spills and leaks have the potential to exert far-reaching impacts on the environment, public health, and the reputation of the organizations involved.

In the absence of dedicated policies and regulations, it is imperative that we emphasize the importance of proactive action. A responsible approach to spill and leak management is founded on the development of internal policies, expert consultation, and engagement with stakeholders, transparency, employee training, and environmental remediation. These measures, in addition to safeguarding the environment and public safety, serve to enhance accountability and trust within the sector.

Essentially, we can make sure that the oil corporation continues to contribute responsibly and sustainably to our energy needs by taking on this issue straightaway and implementing a thorough risk management strategy. Our collective dedication to these values will contribute to the preservation of the environment; improve public safety, and bolstering the reputation organizations, ensuring a safer and more ecologically conscious future for everybody.