Environmental Impact Analysis of the Emission from Petroleum Refineries in Nigeria

Abstract

Health and environmental hazards, a thing of global concern have been the major characteristics of the petroleum refinery areas worldwide, Nigeria inclusive. This is as a result of the emissions from petroleum refineries which resulted into air quality degradation of the host environment. This problem which has equally affected the climatic conditions of the petroleum producing areas is more pronounced in Nigeria due to lack of implementing adequate policies to protect the host environment. This study is carried out to investigate the atmospheric conditions of the petroleum refineries and identify the environmental impact of emissions of criteria pollutants from the proposed project in the area of influence. Emission inventory of criteria pollutants was carried out on the four existing and twenty-three proposed petroleum refineries in Nigeria. Using no control-measure option, the estimated annual criteria air pollutants emissions from point sources in the existing refineries are 1,217 tons/annum for PM 10, 45,124 tons/annum for SO 2 , 167,570 tons/annum for NO x, 3,842 tons/annum for VOC and 242,469 tons/annum for CO. An additional 1,082 tons/annum of PM 10, 168,944 tons/annum of SO 2 , 688,687 tons/annum of NO x, 9,122 tons/annum of VOC and 569,975 tons/annum of CO were predicted to be added into the Nigeria airshed by the proposed petroleum refineries. The highest pollutant emitting state was predicted to be Rivers State with the highest number of refineries while the least pollutant emitting states were predicted to be Kaduna, Edo, Lagos and Anambra States with only one refinery in each of the state. The ability to adopt appropriate control measures will determine the rate of emission of criteria pollutants released into the country's airshed.

Synthesis of Environmental Sustainability Framework for Modular Refinery in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Sector

“…Through regular emissions, fugitive releases, unintentional releases, or plant upsets from various refining operations such separation, conversion, and treatment processes, several contaminants are released into the environment [13]. As a result of equipment malfunction, pipeline deterioration, and other factors, almost 900 accidents involving oil refining and exploration were reported in Nigeria in 2000 [14]. According to earlier research, criteria pollutants can harm plants and humans by causing DNA deterioration in bone marrow cells, respiratory illnesses, and decreased lung function in people [15], and the production of acid rain, which degrades water quality and affects aquatic habitat.…”

“…It further stated that due to its function as a supplier of transportation fuels and chemicals, the worldwide refining sector increased its capacity by 13% from 2000 to 2018, leading to a total GHG increase of 24% [18]. A study on the environmental impact assessment on Nigeria refineries by [14] explained that results from the emission inventory showed that refinery is one of the major sources of air pollution in Nigeria. The environmental and health impacts of these pollutants indicate that adequate control has to be put in place, as more refineries are established, to ensure reduction in the emissions.…”

Symptom or Culprit? Social Media, Air Pollution, and Violence

“…The refining process releases pollutants into the air. When converting crude oil into petroleum products, wastes of different kinds are generated when equipment leaks, combustion of fuels, heating of steam and process fluids, and the transfer of products (Oladimeji et al, 2015). Pollutant emissions are severe enough to be observed from space.…”