The Komsomolsk Refinery had had a comprehensive modernisation programme implemented that resulted in an almost overall upgrade of production. At the moment, the enterprise is conducting a large-scale upgrade aimed to modernise the equipment and increase the conversion rate. Ensuring environmental safety and reducing environmental impact are priorities in the design and construction of new facilities. All solutions introduced at the Komsomolsk Refinery, as well as its operating units are in line with the best technology available.
By connecting the refinery to branch line from the East Siberia--Pacific Ocean trunk pipeline, the plant can be fully supplied with oil via the pipelines, eliminating the risk of releasing vapours into the air, as there is no discharge of oil from railcars. Forthcoming commissioning of a light petroleum product dispatch facility will minimise evaporation when the products are being loaded. The impact on the atmosphere will be further reduced through a new closed gas flare system.
In the field of water resources rational use, the Komsomolsk Refinery implements the project for an additional biological treatment plant section including ultrafiltration units, membrane filters and an ultraviolet disinfection unit for wastewater.
The enterprise has all necessary environmental approvals. Its environmental laboratory monitors 25 indicators of compliance with the established air quality standards at the border of the sanitary protection zone and the zone of the refinery impact. Six control stations work automatically around the clock, taking measurements every 20 minutes. The information about the measurement results is sent to the control room of the civil defence and emergencies authorities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The results of the atmosphere air monitoring for 2019 and 2020 demonstrate no surpasses of the pollutants’ maximum permissible concentration in the air at the border of the sanitary protection zone of the Komsomolsk Refinery and the closest residential areas.
The enterprise pursues a policy of transparency with regard to the environment and participates in panels, roundtables, public hearings and other events annually. Its employees promote environmental culture by giving lessons about ecology in the city’s schools and conducting tours to the refinery’s environment-oriented facilities for the young eco-volunteers.