Developing an in-depth understanding of PFAS to deliver an effective remediation strategy
Lucas Turner A * and David Prismall AA Esso Australia Pty Ltd, Level 9, 664 Collins Street, Docklands, Vic. 3008, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 62 S81-S86 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21103
Accepted: 7 March 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd own a range of offshore and onshore hydrocarbon production facilities, which have been operated by Esso Australia Pty Ltd (Esso) for over 50 years. The Longford Fire Training Ground (FTG) is located adjacent to the Longford Plants and has been utilised by Esso for many years to train personnel in practical hydrocarbon firefighting skills, including applying firefighting foams to extinguish liquid hydrocarbon pool fires. In line with historical standard oil-field practices, per and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) containing firefighting foams were used at the Longford FTG. In response to the reported use of these foams and the potential for contamination associated with historical site operations, the Longford premises were the subject of recent environmental audit and clean-up plans with oversight by an EPA Victoria auditor. Esso engaged a broad range of experts to complete the environmental investigation and develop a remediation action plan that complied with the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan. Key aspects of this project included: understanding the location and setting, with respect to geological conditions and groundwater impacts; development of remediation objectives and strategy; identification of practical remediation methods including short-term and longer-term measures to mitigate priority PFAS sources within the FTG; and a planning framework for future management of the premises. This paper shares how a responsible operator applies a disciplined and scientifically based environmental approach to further the state of knowledge on practical PFAS remediation methods and achieve a sustainable environmental outcome in the communities that they operate in.
Keywords: environmental audit, environmental stewardship, firefighting foam, PFAS, practical action, rehabilitation, remediation strategy, state of knowledge.
Lucas Turner is the Onshore Risk, Environment and Regulatory Supervisor overseeing environmental support for Esso Australia’s onshore Gippsland Basin assets. Lucas graduated from Melbourne University in 2000 B.Eng/Sci (Hons) in Chemical Engineering, and has worked in the oil and gas industry for 20 years. Lucas has supported Esso Australia Gippsland Basin assets in multiple roles including Surveillance, Reservoir and Reliability engineering and Safety, Security, Health and Environment. In his current role, Lucas provided oversight and technical support for the completion of environmental investigations into PFAS at the Longford Plants asset, remediation of the Longford Fire Training Ground and sustainment of ongoing environmental management plans. |
David Prismall currently works at Mobil Oil Australia as a Senior Project Manager and Commercial Portfolio Manager for the Environmental and Property Solutions business. With 21 years’ experience across oil and gas, government, industry and privatised government, David’s experience has incorporated personal safety, process safety, environmental management and regulatory compliance. This has been across diverse industries including oil refining, distribution, energy, waste and materials handling, port operations, and food and beverage. In his current role, David project managed environmental audit (53 V) and associated technical studies of the Longford facility, including the Fire Training Ground facility. |
References
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