Precautions of soil & water resources

Diversified construction and operating measures are employed to protect soil and waters. Among these are single-walled containers in catchment tanks or double-walled containers with the appropriate monitoring. Particular attention is devoted to the safe loading of salt water and natural gas liquids into tank trucks. Wherever possible, salt water transport by pipeline is the preferred option.

Water pollution control

RWE Dea pursues the objective of avoiding water pollution already at the planning stage for drilling, production and treatment activities and subsequently during construction and operation. Compliance with the many statutory provisions relating to water pollution control is an absolute minimum standard. For instance, the water produced with gas and oil is pumped back into the reservoir. Other waters produced are channeled into a sound waste water disposal system.

Reconditioning of sites

After the depletion of reservoirs and the termination of operations all sites will be reconditioned. In practice, that means wells have to be plugged, and pipelines and well sites made ready for alternative use as far as possible. In addition to the equalisation and replacement measures taken during the time of operation, reconditioning ensures that the E+P activities will not result in lasting damage to the environment.

Wells are plugged with cement for permanent and safe sealing of all rock formations that were drilled through. For that purpose some of the casing is cut off and pulled out. Cement is injected into the well in several sections and will seal off both the permeable layers and the biosphere (surface and ground water).

The well sites and central stations will be cleared and reconditioned after the end of operations for return to lessors in usable condition. Pipelines and cables will have to be removed as well, unless alternative use is a viable option.

Protection of landscape

Environmental protection to RWE Dea also means the protection of landscapes. Sites are planned and constructed in compact design for minimum use of space. As a result, plants blend into and harmonise with the general landscape.