Waste Management
Importance and Mission
PTTEP places importance on environmental sustainability and responsible resource utilization throughout its operational process. The Company is committed to managing waste in a proper, appropriate, and efficient manner through strict compliance with applicable laws and standards, while implementing sustainable waste management strategies to prevent and mitigate environmental impacts. These practices also enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste disposal costs, and maximize resources utilization through 5Rs principle. Effective waste management plays a significant role in driving PTTEP's achievement of both long-term sustainability goal and environmental operational excellence.
Goals
- 1 Reuse at least 50% of main structure of E&P business with safety awareness and efficient conditions by 2030
- 2 Achieve zero waste to landfill in domestic operations including petroleum support bases by 2025 and all operations (both Thailand and overseas) by 2030
Management Approach
PTTEP manages waste generated from its operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations stipulated by the countries where PTTEP operates, while adhering to the waste management hierarchy. The Company prioritizes waste avoidance at the sources through waste removal and reduction as the first priority, followed by reuse, recycling, and recovery in accordance with the 5Rs principles. These practices are aligned with the Circular Model for E&P strategy and the Circular Design Guideline for E&P Facilities Development, with emphasis on designing operational processes and management practices that maximize reuse and promote resource circularity.
In addition, PTTEP places importance on proper and appropriate waste treatment to reduce hazardous characteristics before waste disposal as the final option.
PTTEP continuously evaluates the most suitable waste management alternatives and enhances its management standards. The Company focuses on maximizing the value of existing structures through structure reuse for the longest possible duration. This includes the reuse of topsides, jackets, and main equipment from petroleum production facilities while maintaining appropriate operating conditions safely and efficiently. In addition, certain decommissioned jacket structures are considered for conversion into artificial reefs to support marine ecosystem creation and connectivity.
Waste Management Audits
PTTEP regularly conducts waste management audits at operational sites and petroleum support bases through the Safety, Security, Health and Environment Management System (SSHE MS) audit process to continuously improve waste management performance. The audits cover manifest verification, inspections via operating site walk-throughs of waste storage areas, waste segregation, and waste transportation activities. In addition, the accuracy and completeness of waste management data, including waste diversion from landfill to alternative management methods, are verified by external independent auditors to ensure compliance with relevant requirements and standards. The Company also regularly provides training and awareness programs to employees to promote effective waste management practices.
PTTEP achieved zero hazardous waste to landfills for operating assets in Thailand in 2020 and achieved zero waste to landfills for all operating assets and petroleum support bases in Thailand in 2024, ahead of the target timeline. The Company remains committed to achieving zero waste to landfill across all operating assets by 2030.
Furthermore, PTTEP regularly audits waste treatment and disposal contractors to ensure compliance with legal requirements and Company standards, while supporting contractors in continuously improving their waste management facilities and processes to ensure proper and effective waste management practices.
Collaboration and Research and Development for Waste Reduction and Resource Efficiency
PTTEP places importance on fostering collaboration in education, research, and development for waste reduction and resource efficiency with various sectors to strengthen the Company’s operational capabilities while creating positive impacts on communities, society, and the sustainable environment. Examples include:
- PTTEP collaborated with the Department of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Prince of Songkhla University, and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to jointly conduct research on the development of artificial marine habitats for fisheries using decommissioned offshore petroleum platform jackets in the Gulf of Thailand. The initiative represents an effort to maximize resource utilization while maintaining the sustainable balance of the marine ecosystem.
- PTTEP developed MERClean, a special chemical innovation used for cleaning inside of petroleum pipelines prior to pipeline cutting or relocation. The innovation reduces the hazardousness of residual substances remaining in decommissioned petroleum pipelines, enabling waste treatment and disposal to be reclassified to non-hazardous waste, while also minimizing environmental impacts.
- PTTEP conducted a study on the quality analysis and feasibility of utilizing top hole cuttings generated from water-based mud drilling operations at the S1 Project. The initiative aims to increase the reutilization of waste from drilling activities, including its use in access road construction and wellsite landfilling.
- PTTEP, in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change and Environment and local communities, provided financial support for studies and research on pilot projects to convert agricultural waste, particularly cassava rhizomes, into biochar through prototype kilns and appropriate feedstock preparation processes. The biochar produced is designed to have suitable properties for use as a soil amendment in cassava cultivation within local communities. The study also includes an economic feasibility analysis of the pilot project and promotes the participation of local farmers, with the aim of scaling up the initiative to other communities.