Environmental events and penalties

The adopted measures include not only system-based solutions such as procedures, training and safety briefings, but also technical solutions, ongoing checks of the technical condition of plant and machinery, and supervision of work by authorised personnel. All these measures consequently drove down the number of emergencies having environmental impact.

In 2020, there was a single leak in exploration activities during seismic data acquisition by Geofizyka Toruń (approximately 40 litres of Panolin biodegradable hydraulic oil in total). The incident occurred on post-agricultural wasteland as a result of machinery failure (specialist vibration equipment), resulting in minor and temporary contamination of top soil with the biodegradable hydraulic oil. All consequences of the incident were fully remedied, without any environmental impacts. The site was re-checked several days after the incident. The contaminated soil was handed over to licensed waste collectors on the basis of the adopted and approved Waste Management Plan. In accordance with the Company’s internal procedure aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future, hydraulic hose clamps were checked on all machines operated in the project. In addition, during the work of seismic teams regular training is provided to raise the awareness of procedures to be followed in the event of leaks and other environmental incidents. Additionally, the number of inspections of the technical condition of machinery was increased as a preventive measure to eliminate potential incidents.

Three incidents with a limited range, not causing any permanent damage, took place in PGNiG’s production operations. Due to a failed tanker security device, crude oil contaminated an asphalt road. The leak site was secured with the use of absorbent powder and the residues were subsequently collected from the road by the State Fire Services. Neither the soil nor any watercourse were contaminated, and no environmental damage occurred. Another accident occurred when formation water was being pumped from a road tanker to storage tanks holding formation water pumped into rock mass. The water penetrated into an unnamed watercourse, but no hazardous substances were found in the water following tests. The Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection is carrying out an investigation to determine whether any environmental damage has occurred.

Finally, on January 30th 2020 an oil pipeline leaked formation fluid (a mixture on crude oil, formation water and high-sulfur natural gas) between the Barnówko-8 well and Barnówko Central Facility (at the Dębno Oil and Gas Production Facility), contaminating soil. All the 51.24 Mg (ca. 30 m³) of contaminated soil was immediately excavated and disposed of as waste. Once accredited tests confirmed that all the contamination had been removed, clean backfill was placed in the resulting excavation. No environmental damage occurred.

No breaches of environmental laws or regulations were reported by PGNiG in 2020, and no penalties for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations were imposed. The situation was similar across the entire PGNiG Group, except for administrative fines totalling PLN 5,800.00 imposed on PGNiG Termika:

• PLN 4,000.00 for delayed AC unit leak proof testing by a service provider,
• PLN 1,800.00 for delayed records of leak proof tests performed on three AC units by a service provider.

Leak proof testing of AC units at the Siekierki CHP plant was delayed but successful. A subsequent check was successful and revealed no technical issues in the A/C system.