IntegratedReport2014

In 2014, the air emissions monitoring in the vicinity of the Płock Production Plant covered the same substances as in the previous year: O₃, CO, SO₂, NO₂ and BTX, and was carried out using an automatic monitoring station located in a residential area of Płock. Analysis of the 2014 measurement readings indicates that the Company complied with the environmental standards for all measured emissions, as laid down in the Minister of Environment's Regulation of August 24th 2012 (Dz.U. of 2012, No. 177, item 1031) and the Minister of Environment's Regulation of January 26th 2010 (Dz.U. of 2010, No. 16, item 87). There were no instances of the maximum annual average concentrations for any substance being exceeded, even though the average annual SO₂ and NO₂ concentrations were higher in 2014 than in 2013. The increase could have been the effect of the larger number of maintenance shutdowns in 2014 and higher SO₂ emissions from the CHP plant following the emergency shutdown of the circulating gas compressor at the petroleum tar hydrodesulfurisation unit, which resulted in reduced supply of low-sulfur fuel to the CHP plant.

Greenhouse gas emissions management

In 2014, greenhouse gas emissions were balanced on a monthly basis for PKN ORLEN’s refinery, CHP plant, Olefins II, Ethylene Oxide and Glycol, and PTA units, all of which participate in the Emissions Trading System (ETS). The extent to which the allocated CO₂ emission allowances were utilised was monitored on an on-going basis for each unit. In addition, forecasts were made as to the level of CO₂ emission allowances vs. the annual production target.

In line with the Act on Trading in Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowances, by February 28th 2014 free-of-charge emission allowances, in the amount calculated by adjusting the initial allocation quotas with an cross-sectoral correction factor, were transferred to the accounts of companies in Europe. The 2015 emission allowances were not transferred within the statutory deadline. 

Emissions from PKN ORLEN’s installations, and initial allocation of allowances

On January 2nd 2015, parts of the organisational structures of ORLEN OIL and ORLEN Asfalt were incorporated into PKN ORLEN. Following these changes, PKN ORLEN was obliged to review the annual reports on CO₂ emissions for the units operated by those companies. Since January 1st 2015, emissions from ORLEN OIL and ORLEN Asfalt units have been monitored together with units operating at the PKN ORLEN refinery.

Verified CO₂ emissions

Air emissions by ORLEN Group companies

The data for 2013 and 2014 account for 36 Group companies, including PKN ORLEN S.A. The difference between the size of the impact in 2012 and 2013 is attributable to inclusion of new data, i.e. adding Energomedia Sp. z o.o. and Spolana a.s. to 34 Group companies.

Both companies operate units covered with integrated permits, which − due to the nature and scale of their operations − may cause major pollution of the environment as a whole or of its individual components. Consequently, emissions increased.

The improved emission levels in 2014 followed from a partial replacement of fuel oil with gas, operation of SCR units, and better control of combustion parameters.