National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) issued a study on “Current environmental challenges facing Bahraini oil sector and measures in response to them” comprising three important chapters which tackled the history of institutional status and environmental component of the oil and gas sector as well as the environmental challenges facing the oil sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain which included the extent of consensus in the oil and gas sector and local environmental regulations and legislations and requirements of international environmental standards focusing on administrative systems and environmental specifications in addition to the mechanisms and procedures for recording, assessment, licensing to and banning of chemical substances adopted in the European Union. The study also shed light on the future of the oil and gas industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain under international environmental obligations.
The Minister of Energy Dr. Abduhussain bin Ali Mirza said that the goal of this study would be creating a national record for monitoring environmental issues and entitlements witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain’s oil sector and to find the optimum international practices in order to conserve the environment for the sake of preservation of natural resources, securing energy resources and realizing sustainable development on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s territory.
The Minister of Energy added that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s pragmatic government is keen on enactment of legislations and laws capable of preservation of the environment which resulted in definite outcomes in terms of attaining top positions in numerous recognition awards at international environmental functions due to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to dissemination of environmental awareness and preservation of the environment.
The Minister also added the Kingdom is committed to environmental procedures and requirements and satisfaction of international environmental standards as oil and gas companies affiliated to the Oil & Gas Holding Company had enlisted philosophy of paying attention to environmental projects within the strategic plans of all affiliated companies in the Oil &Gas Authority which give special attention to implementation of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s policy and tendencies in the field of environment, health and safety in coordination and cooperation with the relevant governmental authorities particularly with the General Authority for Protection of Maritime Wealth, Environment and Wildlife.
The Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) invested huge funds in implementing and creating environment-friendly projects with the purpose of investing in them so as to encounter current environmental challenges, boost commitment to green ecology requirements and persistently developing its other eco-friendly investment projects in addition to implementing numerous hi-tech projects for the sake of conserving the environment such as the project for low-sulfur diesel reservoir inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister in the year 2007 simultaneously with the Kingdom’s 75th anniversary commemorating the discovering of oil in Bahrain.
The project aims at reducing sulfur content in diesel. The project enabled Bapco capable of producing low-sulfur diesel with a minimum ratio of 0.000,010 sulfur particles in order to meet the local and international market demand. Bapco inaugurated the Princess Sabeeka’s Park in Awali district which is considered one of the pioneering aesthetic, green patches in Kingdom for preservation of human health and the company’s ambient ecology. Bapco is currently implementing waste water treatment plant by which Bapco aims to conserve marine ecology and to satisfy the allowable levels of sewerage into the sea.
Gulf Chemicals Industries Company (GPIC) carried out numerous projects pertaining to the environment the last of which was carbon-dioxide recycling project the first ever of its kind in the Middle East. GPIC won various awards in environmental, health and safety conservationism. GPIC implemented a set of environmental projects aimed at improvement of the ambient environment as part of its voluntary commitment towards the local community. Some of these projects comprising a vegetables-and-fruits-producing charity garden, fishery farm, bird’s sanctuary, medical herbs and plants garden as well as the Princess Sabeeka’s Perfumery Garden. Bahrain National Gas Company (Bangas) enhanced the utilization of its natural resources by means of utilizing waste gas for production of petro-chemical products with good economic revenue using the safest, least environment-damaging techniques. Bangas won numerous ISO certificates in environment, health and safety fields in view of its constant commitment to rules and regulations and to contribute to conservation of the environment, health and safety. The National Oil & Gas Authority is so much committed to environmental issues in compliance with the wise leadership’s directives regarding compliance with the local environmental legislations issued to the oil sector’s companies as well as compliance with international environmental standards and specifications. The Minister concluded his statement by expressing utmost gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership for their infinite, sustained support and assistance to this vital sector for its great impact on the National Oil and Gas Authority’s Quality and Excellence plan for the oil, gas and energy sector as well as boosting sustainable development of our national economy.