Bahrain Petroleum Company B.S.C. (closed)
BAPCO REFINERY

Environmental Policy Guidelines

Bapco recognises that its business activities have an environmental impact on the land, air and water and accordingly places high priority on the management of environmental issues. Bapco is committed to ensuring that sound environmental practices are integrated into its operations to meet or exceed statutory requirements to the highest standard that it can possibly attain. In the absence of local legislation Bapco will apply appropriate international standards that will adequately protect the environment.

Henceforth, Bapco pursues the following Environmental Policy Guidelines which support the Bapco Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Policy:

1. Build understanding, cooperation, acceptance and active involvement concerning environmental protection among all employees and contractors through normal Management communication channels, newsletters, audio/video systems, posters, suggestion schemes, and other media.
   
   
2. Educate and train all employees and contractors to understand the environmental implications of their actions and hence take personal ownership of environmental issues. Extend awareness and responsibilities to the home and community aimed at acceptance of responsibility for the environment.
   
   
3. Cooperate, exchange information, and maintain a constructive relationship with public authorities.
   
   
4. Comply with resolutions or agreements of international governmental organ isations on
   the management of wastes and other pollutants.
   
   
5. Participate with public authorities and other concerned organisations in the development of new legislation, standards, emergency response, and other environmental matters of mutual interest.
   
   
6. Actively cooperate and, whenever appropriate, participate in regional and international organisations which aim to prevent pollution, improve the environment, and provide support during environmental emergencies.
   
   
7. Continually improve the environmental performance of our operations and facilities in areas such as releases to land, air and water, noise, noxious odours, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Consideration will also be given to the consequences of such past activities and remedial action will be taken whenever appropriate.
   
   
8. Take timely measures to prevent accidental releases of materials or energy and, during unavoidable operational upsets, attempt to contain harmful materials within the process, storage and other operating areas consistent with the safety of people and facilities. Develop and continually upgrade emergency response and contingency plans to deal immediately and effectively with upsets which have an impact on the environment. Follow up with incident investigations to prevent recurrence.
   
   
9. Follow design and operating philosophies geared towards energy reduction, waste minimisation, conservation of natural resources and application of clean technology at the source. Apply the most appropriate pollution prevention and/or abatement techniques which are technically feasible, economically acceptable, and consistent with national, regional and international requirements. Recycle or reuse wastes as secondary raw materials and, if not feasible, treat and dispose of them in an environmentally sound manner.
   
   
10. Carry out Environmental Impact Assessment for all applicable major projects and ensure that environmental risk assessment is considered for any modification which may adversely affect the environment. Consider a reasonable balance between environmental risk and the cost of compliance or avoidance.
    
    
11. Establish standards and procedures consistent with the Company EHS Policy, Environmental Policy Guidelines, and statutory requirements. Upgrade and maintain operational control and monitoring procedures including documented measurements and testing in order to adhere to and assess compliance with the above standards and procedures. Develop a database and tracking mechanism and provide regular environmental progress reports to Management and concerned public authorities.
    
    
12. Communicate with all stakeholders including the general public through appropriate channels recognising their concerns. Provide them with relevant environmental information on Bapco’s operations. Investigate complaints and take appropriate remedial action to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
    
    
13. Advise customers of the environmental aspects of handling, using and disposing of the Company’s products, and provide information to end users when requested, gaining their trust and satisfying their requirements. Respond to their concerns in a timely and factual manner.
    
    
14. Apply Bapco’s environmental standards to suppliers and contractors working within the Company facilities.
    
    
15. Support research and studies into the causes of pollution, the effects of the Company’s operations on the environment and public health, and the prevention of any adverse effects.
    
    
16. Monitor the implementation of the EHS policy and the Environmental Policy Guidelines by carrying out regular internal and external audits (Environmental Performance Assessment) and, where shortcomings are identified, implement remedial measures. Review the application of EHS Policy and the Guidelines in the light of new knowledge, changes in operation or legislation and possible concerns by
    stakeholders, and update these accordingly.

Compliance with the Bapco EHS Policy and these Environmental Guidelines requires the establishment and maintenance of an efficient, cost-effective Environmental Management System in line with Quality Management and, where applicable, conforming with the EHS Principles defined in Industry Practices. Strategic plans are developed annually to address environmental objectives and targets and their implementation in a systematic manner through short-term and long-term environmental projects and programmes.

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